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WEST GERMANY 1974

Cruyff: An Orange Dream
Marked tightly by the Swedish right-back Jan Olsson, Netherlands' forward Johan Cruyff collects a long pass, holds off his opponent and then produces an outrageous piece of skill to flick the ball between his own legs and totally bamboozle Olsson, who struggles to keep his balance. The cross comes to nothing, but a legend is born.
The Group Three game of the 1974 World Cup between Sweden and the Netherlands in Dortmund ended 0-0, but afterwards no one was talking about the result. In Cruyff, the world had a new sporting icon; and in his artist-laden Dutch team, a vision of what was never before thought possible on a football field.
Dutch football had come from the wilderness to dominate the European club scene with Ajax winning three straight European Cups from 1971 to 1973, after Feyenoord had won the competition in 1970. At its centrepiece was Cruyff, who, in cohort with coach Rinus Michels, led the national team to the brink of winning the World Cup in the only tournament he featured in.
Cruyff was at the peak age of 27 when he led the Dutch into West Germany in 1974. Hewas coming off his first season at Barcelona, having won the La Liga title there after three consecutive European Cups with Ajax.
The Dutch sailed to 1974's final, with Cruyff at the fulcrum. 'Total Football' pulled opponents in all directions. With two goals against Argentina and a thunderous volley that ended the hopes of holders Brazil, Cruyff was reaching a crescendo as the Netherlands won the second group stage that preceded the showpiece.
In total Cruyff scored three goals in the 1974 tournament, provided three assists and created a total of 29 chances in open play. In the final, he was the dribble king with his tally of55.
The script was written for Holland to win their first World Cup against the hosts and bitter foes West Germany in Munich. It couldn't have began better as Holland stroked the ball around, teasing their opponents, before Cruyff set off on a charging run forcing a penalty within the first minute. Neeskens converted and the resulting 88 minutes continue to be spoken about in Dutch households. West Germany crept back into the game clearly infuriated by Netherlands' attempt to humiliate them on home turf. By half-time they were in front and held on to secure the win against a team many considered to be superior.
The tournament ended in disarray for Cruyff and his Netherlands team that for so long seemed certain to get their hands on the trophy. But their impact on a generation of football supporters, mesmerised and hypnotised by an extravagantly talented group of free spirits wearing those brilliant orange shirts, will never be forgotten.
As Cruyff once said in a sentence that defined the Dutch team of 1974: "It's better to lose with your own vision than with someone else's."