Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Mario Tilney-Bassett
Guest(s)
Release Date
20 April 2023
Duration
69 min
In this triple-header episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Tottenham fan Mario Tilney-Bassett to explore three unique stories of greatness — Tottenham’s dazzling 1986–87 near-treble, FC Start’s wartime defiance, and the Netherlands’ long-awaited redemption at Euro 1988.
For the Dutch, Euro ’88 was more than a tournament — it was closure. After the heartbreaks of 1974 and 1978, and the disunity of the early 1980s, Rinus Michels returned to lead a golden generation united under one vision: to play Total Football with efficiency, not just artistry.
The Netherlands’ journey began with a stumble — a 1–0 loss to the USSR — but quickly ignited. Powered by the elegant brilliance of Ruud Gullit, the composure of Frank Rijkaard, and the predatory genius of Marco van Basten, they swept aside England and Ireland to reach the semi-finals. Against West Germany in Hamburg, van Basten’s late winner sealed poetic revenge for 1974.
Then came the final. Facing the USSR again in Munich, Gullit’s thumping header and van Basten’s immortal volley — one of the greatest goals ever scored — delivered the Netherlands their first major trophy. Orange shirts flooded the Olympic Stadium as decades of Dutch anguish finally dissolved into euphoria.
This episode unpacks the tactics, harmony, and leadership that turned beauty into victory — and how the Netherlands 1988 side redefined what it meant to marry art with success.
Takeaways
Euro ’88 completed Dutch football’s long redemption arc.
Michels’ return restored unity and discipline to the squad.
Van Basten and Gullit formed one of Europe’s greatest duos.
The Netherlands balanced artistry with tactical control.
Their victory reshaped the nation’s sporting identity.
Netherlands 1988: Art, Order, and Redemption
The Netherlands’ triumph at Euro 1988 stands as one of the great redemptive moments in football history — a perfect blend of style, strategy, and spirit.
After decades of near-misses and internal conflict, Rinus Michels returned to unify a fractured Dutch system. His side — led by Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, and Frank Rijkaard — blended the elegance of Total Football with the ruthlessness it once lacked.
Their campaign began with defeat to the USSR but soon came alive. Van Basten’s hat-trick against England, Gullit’s leadership, and a revenge win over West Germany propelled them to the final. There, in Munich, the Oranje produced perfection: Gullit’s towering header and van Basten’s impossible volley secured a 2–0 win and their first major title.
More than a victory, Euro ’88 was a cultural awakening. The Netherlands rediscovered its football soul — a nation once defined by artistry finally rewarded for its discipline.
Thirty years on, that team remains a symbol of balance and brilliance — proof that beautiful football can win after all.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
The rebirth of Dutch football under Rinus Michels
The tactical balance between Total Football and pragmatism
Marco van Basten’s goalscoring masterclass
Ruud Gullit’s leadership and cultural significance
The symbolic redemption against West Germany
Gullit’s captain’s header in the Euro ’88 final
Van Basten’s volley vs USSR — a moment of football immortality
The semi-final revenge win vs West Germany
Group stage recovery after early defeat
Michels’ tactical masterclass and emotional return
The Orange Wave celebrations in Amsterdam
Notable Manager
Notable Players
Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Ronald Koeman, Jan Wouters, Hans van Breukelen, Adri van Tiggelen, Erwin Koeman, Arnold Mühren, Wim Kieft, Berry van Aerle, Johnny Bosman
Style of Play
4-3-3 Formation, Total Football Evolution, Positional Fluidity, Controlled Possession, High Pressing, Vertical Transitions
The Netherlands 1988 embodied a modernised form of Total Football — a blend of fluidity, positional intelligence, and disciplined structure. Rinus Michels, returning to the helm after more than a decade, recognised that beautiful football alone would not suffice. His 4-3-3 system retained the principles of movement and interchange, but with greater defensive organisation and a clinical cutting edge.
At the base, Rijkaard anchored the midfield, allowing Koeman to stride forward and dictate from deep. The full-backs advanced selectively, maintaining balance while supporting wingers like Mühren and Wouters, who drifted inside to link play. Gullit, playing as a roaming No. 10 and captain, connected midfield to attack — powerful, elegant, and decisive.
Van Basten’s movement transformed the system. Intelligent runs between defenders, exquisite first touches, and ruthless finishing made him the ideal spearhead for Michels’ vision. His volley in the final against the USSR — struck from an impossible angle — became a metaphor for Dutch football itself: beauty made perfect through precision.
Unlike the romantic but fragile teams of the 1970s, this Netherlands side were pragmatic when needed. They defended compactly, countered intelligently, and managed matches with maturity. Michels’ mantra — efficiency without losing the essence — finally found its embodiment.
In Euro ’88, the Netherlands didn’t just win a tournament; they proved that style and substance could coexist.
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