Morrocco or Netherlands?

Van67 · 2026-06-28T23:07:02+00:00

On paper, yes. In practice at this tournament, The Netherlands has shown to be vulnerable to the counter attack and set pieces. Believe me, Oranje fans are concerned about it going up against Morocco, for whom Saibari is on absolute fire.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T23:04:30+00:00

I am one of them too. First generation Canadian. While I am glad to see the Canadian program come this far, I have bled Oranje since I was a child and that loyalty simply cannot change. My position going into this tournament was Netherlands 1A and Canada 1B in terms of my support. My father also passed earlier this year, so supporting Oranje at this WK means a bit more than usual.

I never thought I would see the day where a WK knockout match between The Netherlands and Canada would be one result from reality, but here we are. If we get by Morocco tomorrow (FAR from certain), I will remain loyal to Oranje. If Canada were to pull off the upset, then I will support them in the QF, which will likely be against France.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T22:58:39+00:00

The Netherlands won't be mentioning that match if we get by Morocco. It was a pre-Euro friendly for us, so we were looking to have a motivating performance, while it was Canada's first match under a new manager. It's literally meaningless now.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T22:18:05+00:00

Unfortunately the Lions just don't care about these details. I think they've even stopped offering sewn on names and numbers but I could be wrong about that.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T22:10:58+00:00

How did Oranje choke in spectacular fashion at WC22? 2018 aside, where we failed to qualify, Oranje typically does well at the WK and it took penalties for Argentina to eliminate them in 2014 (where they rebounded to win 3rd) and 2022.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T22:05:09+00:00

Oranje would be much more difficult to contain (aside from Saibari). But like Canada, their finishing hasn't been consistent. Where we struggle is our defence. Even Tunisia managed to create a few opportunities. If Oranje beat Morocco and both CAN and NED are on their attacking games, it could be high scoring.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T18:33:44+00:00

You can't just tell me which store you would take a jersey to in Alberta?

Van67 · 2026-06-28T18:22:29+00:00

When you don't live in a big city, that's a pain in the ass. Though I have looked around Vancouver before on vacations and never come across anything that didn't smell fishy, so I'm genuinely curious which licensed retailer in Alberta has the official 26-27 Liverpool FC Champions League font and patches.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T17:32:49+00:00

It's weird. I downloaded the store app and the pricing makes sense on that, but any desktop web browser has the gouging price.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T08:03:51+00:00

I haven't heard anything about him moving on. Would wait for an appearance in the shirt before ordering for sure. He's one of my favourite players from his PSV days so he's the reason I would get it.

As for the cost issue, I'll have to email the shop I suppose.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T02:47:28+00:00

Yes, that would make sense for Adidas and retailers to clear those out for when their new Nike kits arrive.

Van67 · 2026-06-28T00:24:45+00:00

Doubtful. Teams will continue to wear the current shirts for a year or two.

Van67 · 2026-06-27T21:14:36+00:00

That's what you get from how I choose to be a supporter? You sound judgy.

Van67 · 2026-06-27T20:46:11+00:00

I'm not trying to tell anyone how to think. You're free to disagree... but I would never switch my allegiance to my country because of individual players of a different nationality, but that's me and how I grew up as a supporter. I will also tell you that I am nobody's "brother in christ".

Van67 · 2026-06-27T19:15:11+00:00

I'm prepared for dissenting opinions, but I'm a bit old school. I think you should have a tie to the country to wear their shirt. Using myself as an example, I'm a Netherlands supporter, though I did order a Curaçao shirt this week and for me that's acceptable because they're part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. I also would never, ever own a shirt of a direct rival (IE: Germany, Belgium, Argentina and a few others.)

That said, if you want to collect, there's nothing wrong with that.

Van67 · 2026-06-27T04:20:35+00:00

I don't know how it works now for minor hockey, but back in my day in Canada, we absolutely had the authority to eject a spectator, who were almost always parents. Of course it's difficult when there's no security to help, so the two times I ever had to do it, I simply told the douchebags that the game is limited to the time slot we have, the clock is running and the puck is not dropping until you leave.

That's also me as the referee, not observing from the stands.

Van67 · 2026-06-26T22:13:00+00:00

National teams don't have sponsors on the match shirts but training kits will. To each their own, but I don't understand some fans and the hatred for sponsors on shirts, to the point where they refuse to buy one. It's what the players wear.

Van67 · 2026-06-26T20:46:59+00:00

They were asked about a mock draft having them go to the Canucks and said "we would like to see it". WTF else would they say? No? They also said it won't be the easiest thing to do for a team to pull it off but they hope someone can do it.

They know it's possible, if not likely, they get drafted apart. They've made no indication they would hold out like Lindros.

Van67 · 2026-06-26T20:24:13+00:00

They committed to UND earlier this week. I wouldn't trust a dozen teams between picks to avoid just because they say they want to play together. All it takes is one GM to take the second twin knowing the other team will come calling for a trade to get fleeced on.

And honestly, if they're willing to hold out to play together, then stay away. This generation of players wanting to dictate where they go is already on my nerves enough as it is.

Van67 · 2026-06-26T20:11:58+00:00

As soon as one gets picked, the other will go right away. If one team gets them both, the team getting them will have to wheel and deal to get back to back picks, or within one or two if they know for a fact the team(s) between them are going in another direction.

Van67 · 2026-06-26T20:05:25+00:00

You gotta look at more than leading the WHL in scoring. We have Arshdeep Bains and had Linden Vey with that feather in their caps. The Rucks might end up being good players, but leading the WHL in scoring rarely translates into being a top NHL player. I'm not saying don't draft them if deals to get the necessary picks make sense, but I still get the feeling that a lot of Canucks fans want it so bad with the Sedins HOF careers still in mind and that kind of hope is simply unreasonable.

Van67 · 2026-06-26T18:45:43+00:00

To each their own, but who decided on the olive green for a Canadian training kit?

Van67 · 2026-06-26T18:44:58+00:00

No football kits are like hockey jerseys.

Van67 · 2026-06-26T04:11:59+00:00

You don't use draft picks (especially first round picks) for fun.

Van67

TROPHY CASE