A brief account of the most revolutionary philosophy of football, how it changed the ancient foundations of the game, and continues to shape it in the modern era.
In the last episode of the epic sage of Total Football we explored the tremendous journey of Dutch international team, which used the philosophy under the organic leadership of Coach Michels and the footballing mastery of Johan Cruyff, to dismantle the giants
of International football on their way to World Cup 1974 final.
The beat http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858 (2-0), to come face to face with West Germany in the final match of the tournament.
The Mannschaft featured the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeneß, Wolfgang Overath and Berti Vogts, and they were up against one of the most formidable teams in the history of the game.
The match started off with a magical display of total football, in which Cruyff kicked off the ball which was then passed around the Oranje for thirteen passes to return back to the legendary attacker, who rushed with the ball to beat Berti Vogts and was
fouled by Hoeneß, in the penalty area.
The issued penalty reached the back of the German net from the boot of Johan Neeskens, to give Holland the 1-0 lead into the game with only 80 seconds into the game.
The might of the Oranje was evident when compared to the feeble Germans, who were struggling to even get a touch on the ball, and the match was considered by many to be all over.
However, the second half saw a dramatic turnaround in the game thanks to the effective marking of Vogts that compromised the influence of Cruyff in the game, and allowed Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeneß, and Wolfgang Overath to dominate the midfield and launch
attacks.
The West Germany equalised and then took one up before the final whistle, and the match ended with the score at 2-1.
The Dutch were stunned by a bunch of Germans that went on to build a legacy for their country, and were branded legends of the game.
Many thought this to be the end of the Total Football, but from here the idea took onto its journey to take a more modern shape, and materialise miracles that were never thought possible.
However, before we move onto the next phase of the story, it is important to give credit where the credit is due.
The role of the Austrian team of the 1930s is also important in their contribution to the philosophy. The style of the team is said to be based on the Scottish school of football, which emphasizes on quick-paced passing and is said to be introduced by Englishman
Jimmy Hogan.
The team accomplished a daunting streak of 14 games without a defeat between April 1931 and 1932, and earned the nickname of “Wunderteam” or Wonder Team.
Moreover, the famous team entered the 1934 World Cup as the favourites, but just like the Golden Team failed to lift the trophy due to a controversial defeat in the semi-finals at the hand of hosts and eventual winners http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926.
The Wunderteam is considered by many to be the first team to play the game in the style of Total Football. It is no co-incidence that one of their most talented players Ernst Happel went on to coach the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and
rooted the famous philosophy in the country giving birth to so many fairy tales.
To be continued...
Tags: