- 19 hours ago
The bronze medal match that nobody wants.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00whose name was roundly booed by the Frenchman in the sellout crowd here tonight,
00:05when it was announced before.
00:07The Dutch coach says he hopes this will be a better game than the final itself.
00:12Whether it will be remembered as such is another matter,
00:15but Holland have certainly provided us with some of the most indelible memories of this tournament.
00:20Dennis Bergkamp stumbling inside the penalty area,
00:25but getting no encouragement from the referee.
00:28Croatia have been the tournament's unlikeliest success story.
00:32They both deserve a fitting finale to their efforts here this evening.
00:38It is the man of the moment, Davil Suker, given away though to Dennis Bergkamp,
00:42who's not out of the golden boot reckoning himself.
00:44He starts the evening with three goals to his name, Suker has five.
00:51The upstam allowing the border bounce and being put under pressure by Suker.
01:02Zendan, Seedorf.
01:04Two players you've just mentioned, Clive,
01:06and the two players that look as if they're filling in the hole of the right side.
01:09Seedorf looks as if he's going to be more or less playing in the right back area.
01:12And Zendan switches flanks and plays a round of the ball to play in the right way.
01:20Reisiger, Brokada, and Wintra are all injured, so Holland did have a problem on the right of defence this evening.
01:26Zendan is on the ball.
01:28This is Bergkamp.
01:29Nice little back heel for Seedorf.
01:31Broke the challenge of Stimats.
01:34Roban is able to clear.
01:35Well, they've played Jorchic into trouble.
01:39And there is the reception for Slavin Bilic,
01:42who, in the opinion of every French football fan,
01:45is responsible for Laurent Blanc not playing in tomorrow evening's World Cup final.
01:50You won't need me to tell you when he's got the ball tonight.
01:53He's got it.
01:57He's used to that at Everton, isn't he?
02:02The Dutch are playing their traditional open play.
02:05I mean, we said earlier on, Seedorf is supposed to be up playing in the right back area,
02:09but he'll play anywhere he likes.
02:12And as you said, Brokada, very, very negative again in their approach.
02:16Very cautious.
02:17A lot of people behind the ball.
02:19A lot of people in mid-4.
02:20And super-facing operating up front of the low starter.
02:22This is Seedorf.
02:24Now, Kluivert turning!
02:26Saved by the legs of Lardic.
02:29But Patrick Kluivert turns Slavin Bilic there,
02:32and got into a good shooting position.
02:33That's a great ball in, but that's a slick turn.
02:36One touch.
02:37Keepers out well.
02:37He hasn't ended as firm as he'd like to.
02:41Jatstam is in the vicinity of the free kick.
02:43I bet he packs a punch.
02:44I'm just wondering whether they'll put one on the line, Croatia.
02:47They have been doing another match.
02:48They're the only team, I think, I've seen put a defender on the line.
02:51At the moment, they're leaving it unguarded.
02:52Just a keeper to defend.
02:56Going to be hit by Villiogne.
02:58And it did just brush the roof of the net.
03:01It did start to dip as it passed the crossbar.
03:08Yeah, he'd probably have preferred to have taken this free kick a little bit further out,
03:11you know, so he could have got some dip on it.
03:15Dabr Succa.
03:17Run to his left here from Robert Yarny.
03:19Now he's going to need some support.
03:20He's got Jatstam with him.
03:22Four Croats arriving late in the day.
03:24Yarny's turned it into the edge of the area.
03:26It's Kosinetsky.
03:27And Croatia lead.
03:29From virtually their first attack.
03:33And Robert Kosinetsky is the goalscorer.
03:37Now move, which was really all the work of Robert Yarny.
03:40Well, it was a good setting up play at first from Dabr Succa.
03:43Robert Yarny wants to cross his first ball.
03:45Can't do.
03:46Succa could possibly be offside there.
03:48But all credit to Kosinetsky.
03:51Under his feet.
03:52Against good defenders.
03:54Crowded them round him.
03:55He finds the only space he can.
03:56Pass the long keeper.
03:57Pass the keeper's long legs, I should say.
04:00And that's a good finish.
04:01But that was, as you say, it was...
04:03I think surprise was the big thing.
04:05There was only three of them in the opposite half.
04:08It is Robert Kosinetsky's second goal of these World Cup finals.
04:11His first Umerich call was against Jamaica.
04:15Most of them thought it was a bit of a fluke.
04:16A mishit cross.
04:18No problems with that one.
04:20I'll tell you what the irony of that was.
04:22That if Yarny would have had support players up when he received the ball,
04:26I think he'd have just crossed the ball.
04:27But he was forced to hang on and dwell on it.
04:31The first ever third place final back in 1934.
04:35Produced a goal in 24 seconds.
04:37One of the fastest goals ever.
04:39It set the tone really for this fixture.
04:41It's averaged close on four per game down the years.
04:44Last time in Los Angeles.
04:45Sweden scored four in the first half against Bulgaria.
04:50And the many neutrals amongst the crowd tonight would probably quite like the idea of Croatia scoring first.
04:56They're usually a bit cagey.
04:58Holland have really got to have a go now.
05:04They have a free kick for that tackle by Jorchic.
05:20Seedorf is in the vicinity this time.
05:22Frank De Boer is there.
05:23So is he at Stam.
05:31Zendan trying to make a nuisance of himself in the wall.
05:34It's Seed offloading it square.
05:35And Vim Jong now!
05:39I don't think Croatia were aware that that was going to happen.
05:43Yeah, well, he's got one of the fiercest shots in the Dutch camp.
05:46And that's a very, very good effort.
05:47Ball coming across his body.
05:49Not the easiest to hit.
05:50Think as we've been told, these balls keep going over the...
05:53You know, keep going hard.
05:56Another full house.
05:58Whatever you say about the significance or relevance of this fixture.
06:04It has tickled the fancy of more than 50,000 people in Paris tonight.
06:08And so far it's been a pretty good spectacle.
06:11Here's a chance for Patrick Kluivert from the quickly taken free kick.
06:14Lardic saved well with his legs.
06:15Bright thinking by Clarence Seedorf.
06:17And in the end by the Croatian number one, Dran Lardic.
06:28No emotion from the Croatia boss.
06:42Zendin.
06:45Davids.
06:47Newman.
06:50Private.
06:52This is Jonk.
06:55The time his shot was blocked by Saul, though.
06:57Might come here for Zendin.
06:58He'll settle for the corner kick.
07:03Takes it well from this quick free kick.
07:05But as you say, it's another goal-scoring opportunity.
07:08But Lardic has done the smash in there.
07:12Jonk with the corner.
07:16Philippe Cocu with the header.
07:21Got up first, got up early.
07:23Yeah, did well to beat Stanley Sidney.
07:24He certainly looks more comfortable when he comes in field.
07:27But I think that's a problem that the Dutch have got.
07:29Both their wide players.
07:30And Zendin out on the right.
07:32For Cocu out on the left.
07:33Tent to come in field with the ball.
07:35And at the moment, they're hardly producing a cross.
07:37I think Cliveau certainly thrives on people across the ball to him.
07:41And Zendin and Cocu, the two players we've just mentioned.
07:43Two more players who are leaving PSV Ironhaven.
07:46Both of them going to Barcelona, where there's a bit of a Dutch enclave.
07:52I think Louis van der Haal and Arsene Wenger are competing
07:56to see how many of the Dutch score they could gather.
07:58Here is Zendin.
08:01Got his shot in.
08:02Lardic couldn't keep it out.
08:03St. Hollande level with a suitably spectacular goal
08:07from Baudoufey and Zendin.
08:11Just too hot to handle.
08:13I'm just talking about the problems.
08:14He can't go outside, but he can certainly drive inside on his left foot.
08:18And all right, it's got some swerve on it.
08:21Keeper really should have got this away.
08:25Takes a swerve there.
08:26He's cut across it.
08:27Keeper's starting to go the wrong way.
08:28He's got a bit of a weak paw on it, if you like.
08:32It's Baudoufey and Zendin's first international goal.
08:37He's only 21 years of age.
08:42And in his 10th appearance for his country,
08:44he's off the mark with...
08:47a wickedly struck, swerving shot.
08:50Go to squared things up with less than a core of the match play.
08:58Davids.
08:59Out to Koku.
09:04Davids again.
09:33Left it well beyond Denis Bergkamp.
09:35Asanovic and he's got Suker in support.
09:37And Boban here.
09:38And they're trying to set up Davos Suker.
09:39And he's scored!
09:43Suker has got the goal that he came for.
09:47And this time, tomorrow night, they could be fitting Davos Suker for a golden boot.
09:53Terrific move as well.
09:55Prasinic's first ball into Asanovic.
09:57He can't go any further.
09:58Pops it off to Boban.
09:59Boban lays it across to Suker.
10:02And he actually hits the ball.
10:04And what helps him, he hits it through Stam's legs.
10:06But that's a great finish.
10:10It's goal number six of these World Cup finals for Davos Suker.
10:14He is now the outright leading scorer in the tournament.
10:18There's a gentleman by the name of Ronaldo, who has four to his name.
10:22Who I guess we may just be seeing tomorrow night.
10:25And Suker would like to add to his numbers this evening and try and put Ronaldo out of sight.
10:31But at the moment, he holds the key to the golden boot.
10:40And I'm trying to recap another move they've had.
10:44Apart from the two that they've scored the goals with.
10:47They've really had two good breaks.
10:49They've both been very...
10:50I mean, that was a smashing break.
10:52I mean, Asanovic did well.
10:53Realised he couldn't outrun, I think it was Davos.
10:56So he just pops the ball off and Boban plays a one-touch pass and bang.
11:02But really, the Dutch have basically run the game, haven't they?
11:08Prasinic has some defending to do.
11:10Might have quite a bit to do.
11:12Before the evening's out.
11:17Stam is forward.
11:23Clarence Seidorf to take.
11:25Towards the head of Japs Stam.
11:26Seemed to be a hand there from Juchic.
11:28Certainly there was an outstretched arm.
11:30Referee saw nothing under water and there were no appeals.
11:32That's a terrific ball from Prasinetsky.
11:34Here's Asanovic.
11:34And they're breaking again with danger here.
11:37Asanovic on the ball.
11:38Into the path of Starnic.
11:42Crossed in towards Davos Suke.
11:45And very, very calmly dealt with by Clarence Seidorf.
11:48Good match this.
11:50I tell you what, I was just thinking earlier, Clive.
11:52If there was more on the game, a bit unlucky there.
11:54Clive had slipped as he went for a spin run.
11:56If there was more on the game, we'd be talking quite, we'd be talking in glowing terms I think about
12:02the game.
12:03Classic situation.
12:04The best team in terms of control and passing it.
12:07There's your man again.
12:09The best team in control and passing it.
12:11Holland and losing to two super greats really.
12:21Seidorf.
12:24Clive.
12:24Clive.
12:27Clive.
12:27Clive.
12:28So the Ivan.
12:28Neil.
12:29For Bergkamp.
12:29Felix is in the way.
12:40That's encouraging as well.
12:42The Dutch push so many men forward.
12:44But when they do counter the Croats.
12:46They've got loads of space to go into with the ball.
12:50I think the Dutch were fooled then by Suke passing.
12:53Here's Clive.
12:54Looking for Bergkamp.
12:55Collected it well.
12:55thought about the back heel, instead played it to Kluivert, and now space for Seidhoff.
13:01Smashing football. That was brilliant, that was a brilliant move, the link up there between
13:05Berkamp and Kluivert was excellent. Final ball into Seidhoff was brilliant, let's just see this one through.
13:14Kluivert, Seidhoff, turned back to Berkamp, it was knocked against him. Same three players involved,
13:20but the one previous you know Seidhoff's headed, that's a super ball in there from Kluivert,
13:25and he really should have done that better, he could almost, bearing in mind there's no real
13:29pressure on him again, he could almost have pulled this down you know, this is the latter one where
13:32he tries to return the compliments Seidhoff. But yeah, you've spotted it, it's been a great,
13:39it's a smashing game really. Quite an appetising crossbed Kluivert in the Premiership,
13:46he does have three years left on his contract at Milan, he won't come cheap.
13:56Yarny, slotted in to Boban, Suker wants it, Boban's take it around the goalkeeper, that's the side netting.
14:03That's another great break in there, a lovely threaded ball through from Yarny,
14:07Boban just gets the run, holds it, keeper's gone to ground, and I think Frank De Boer's just gonna...
14:12Once they have broke, they've broke with pace.
14:18It's a classic puncher, counter-puncher kind of contest, but at the heart of it,
14:22the big hit came from Davos Suker, not only the goal which separates the teams at half-time,
14:27but the goal makes him the leading scorer in these World Cup finals. Half-time, Holland 1, Croatia 2.
14:40Blazovic is wearing his gendarmes helmet.
14:44He's looking for a job in France, I think.
14:47Thank you!
14:48Off we go again, three goals in the first half, could have been twice as many.
14:54First touch for Mark Overmars in this game.
14:59Newman to Frank De Boer.
15:05Croatia the first team to have reached a World Cup semi-final on their debut at the final since
15:10Portugal back in 1966. Remember Bobby Charlton beating them.
15:14And they finished third that year.
15:17Won the playoff game with a late Jose Torres winner.
15:21Seedorf.
15:25Zindan.
15:32Now Seedorf.
15:34Wimjolk.
15:36Lifted in towards Dennis Bergkamp.
15:38Starnic went against his offside flag here against Seedorf.
15:41Now, I'm not sure that that didn't come off the head of Starnic, the defender.
15:47Did, didn't it?
15:47Definitely did, yeah.
15:51Seedorf unlucky.
15:54It's a very, very good volley as well under pressure.
15:59There and so is Juchic.
16:04Kosoneczki tossing it in late towards Yarny who was unseen.
16:07Didn't quite drop for Soldo.
16:08It's Clivert who was back there.
16:11They came in very late there, Yarny.
16:13The runners from the far post all cleared the space and let him get in on a late run.
16:27Another free kick, conceded by Zindan, Onosanovic, who certainly knows how to get a free kick.
16:34He's had to get a penalty too, as the Romanians will tell you.
16:41He's being tugged.
16:47Opportunity, a rare opportunity for Croatia.
16:52Kosoneczki on the ball.
16:54Oh, it almost found its way through to you-know-who.
16:57That's stretching.
16:58Suker couldn't quite apply the finishing touch this time.
17:01That's an ugly ball in as it goes right in the keeper's nightmare.
17:04Crowd seen in front of him.
17:06And as you say, the mark of a predity coming around the back.
17:11Suker with just over 15 minutes to find a goal, which would
17:14you would guess put him just about beyond Ronaldo at the
17:18top of the goal-scoring charts.
17:24This is Zindan though.
17:26Hollander looking for a goal to score the game.
17:29Zindan trying to play over Miles in.
17:31Keep a committee over Miles got it past him, but not past Stardis behind him.
17:34I think he was trying to lift it past Stardis.
17:37At the end, he nearly knocked it under him.
17:39I'll tell you what, that was brilliant keeping there from Radice.
17:41A great one from Zindan.
17:42Frens the little Arsenal player.
17:44And he's won.
17:44And as you say, he's almost not making.
17:46But the keeper's been lightning quick there.
17:50Arthur Newman.
17:53Patrick Kleivert.
17:54Van Hoy don't try to feed it back to him.
17:57Yeah, they've tried that once or twice since they've come on the two big leaders, the two big center forwards.
18:01He's a great note.
18:02There's a danger here.
18:02Pocinetsky trying to get clear.
18:04Pace is one thing he hasn't got.
18:06He certainly doesn't get it at the moment because he's absolutely out on his feet, Pocinetsky.
18:13And it's Boban who failed to provide the pass.
18:15Kleivert trying to provide one for Overmars.
18:18Slavin Bilic.
18:21Davor Sukhe.
18:22Pocinetsky's running free again.
18:23Van der Sar has taken responsibility.
18:28But we said they were taking this first half, Holland.
18:30We're defending with two.
18:31I think they've decided to defend with one this half.
18:34And I'm not sure which one it is.
18:37Kleivert to Newman.
18:38Holland come forward again.
18:42It's Davor Sukhe is back there conceding.
18:44Oh, he's given a goal kick.
18:45Counter once or twice.
18:47They did use him as a substitute in the group games.
18:49And then he won a place in the starting line-up for the initial knockout games.
18:58Seydorf.
19:00Oh, came on the sharply for Patrick Kleivert.
19:04Seemed to have done it all right.
19:06And then, Mbem got it all wrong.
19:09Wonder how much was in his mind the two chances or opportunities he missed in the first half,
19:13which he took off his left side.
19:14I mean, that's a lovely threaded ball from Seydorf.
19:18Overmars doesn't intensely let it run, but it comes through to him now.
19:21Now, I thought he was going to have a crack there.
19:22He tries to turn inside Bilic.
19:24And even then, he's still got a full sight of him.
19:26But his connection with the world is awful.
19:301995 it was when he scored the winner in the European Cup final.
19:33And then later that year, two very important goals against the Republic of Ireland at Anfield,
19:37which took Holland to Euro 96.
19:40Since then, problems.
19:41Injury problems.
19:42Problems off the field.
19:44Problems with Milan.
19:45Seems to be coming back to him in this World Cup.
19:48But his finishing hasn't been reliable.
19:50Sukhe winning a free kick.
19:53Yeah, I mean, I know the keeper stood big, but you would still have fancied him.
19:56And to be fair, I would have still fancied him there.
19:58He was going to try and get a curl on it and put it into the top left hand corner.
20:04Said he skewered horribly.
20:08He's coaching the last ten minutes.
20:11Pressure has led for a long time since Davos Sukhe's goal just before half-time.
20:17It's Osanovic and it's wild.
20:20You know, normally you can tell what good players intend in.
20:23I have no clue what Osanovic tried doing.
20:26Zenden on the ball for Holland.
20:28But they have another late, dramatic goal up their sleeves tonight.
20:33Clarence Seedorf.
20:35And up by Bilic.
20:36Seedorf's going to get another chance here.
20:38Ladic's foot has just done enough.
20:44He'll think he's unlucky there, but I'll tell you what, that is top, top class goalkeeping.
20:50I mean, he's knocked back into his run by Klaivet of all people there.
20:54Now he still looked fairly nicely for him, but he got a great foot on it with the goalkeeper.
20:59And got a punch on the ball too from the corner and Sukhe completes the clearance.
21:04Blavic in pursuit with Zenden.
21:07He's waiting for it to come down.
21:08He hasn't hit it full ball, but the keeper's going the wrong way.
21:11Back to Davids.
21:14Frank de Boer.
21:18Edgar Davids.
21:21Newman trying to provide some width.
21:25He's hung it up, but it's pretty easy for the goalkeeper.
21:31Yeah, there doesn't seem that hungryness in the box anymore.
21:35I think if they put that sort of quality in the first half, there have been people flying at it,
21:39but I think they've realized they're not going to win it now.
21:43Blavic chasing with Vimyong.
21:46Well, it's been quite a month for Croatian sport with Goranije Venezovic reaching the final at Wimbledon.
21:50They have a very famous basketball player in the States, Tony Kukoc, who's picked up another NBA
21:55championship in Chicago.
21:56And here in France, the national football team have proclaimed themselves the third best team in the world of football.
22:04They've beaten Holland in the third place playoff, and Davosuka may leave France tomorrow night with a golden boot,
22:11which says that he is the leading goalscorer in this tournament.
22:14He's taken his tally to six. Ronaldo starts the final tomorrow night with four to his name.
22:20But what a story Croatia have been.
22:25We will never forget the spirit and pride with which they played,
22:30and the skill with which they've embroidered their performances here.
22:343-0 victory over Germany was a highlight.
22:37Holland, who provided many of the highlights of the tournament, are again left in the minor placings.
22:45The outcome of the third place playoff match in Parc de France this evening
22:50is Holland 1, Croatia 2.
22:53And on behalf of Rod Atkinson and myself, all our very best wishes to the great Brian Moore
22:58when he commentates the World Cup final for you tomorrow night on ITV.
23:09Hello again.
23:10Croatia have finished in third place in France, 98.
23:13They've beaten Holland 2-1.
23:15And John Barnes, that's a fantastic achievement.
23:17Yeah, wonderful.
23:18I mean, they're a new nation, and they've really done their country proud.
23:21Tonight, it meant more to Croatia than to Holland.
23:24Because even in the last ten minutes, you saw images of Suka urging his players
23:27to not give away a second goal, and they really deserved it.
23:31They had to defend, and Holland played well.
23:33But, you know, they dug in, and they deserved their victory.
23:35Holland did play well.
23:37They'll count themselves unlucky, because once again, they've had a decision,
23:40Barry, go against them.
23:41Yeah, very much so.
23:42They asked all the questions, didn't they, in the second half.
23:44Croatia sat.
23:45They didn't really break too often.
23:46They didn't really create too much.
23:48And Holland didn't get the luck of the break with the decisions.
23:50If we watch the linesmen here, the ball's played in.
23:53Croatia try and play the offside.
23:55The ball's clipped in.
23:56It's actually Stanach, Croatia defender, who heads the ball near.
23:58And I watch the linesmen.
23:59He is not flagged.
23:59He's not flagged.
24:00And all of a sudden, it's come to try and see it off.
24:02The flag goes up.
24:03He strikes a fantastic ball.
24:05Bottom corner.
24:06That is a Dutch goal.
24:07No doubt about it.
24:08That was Seedorf.
24:09He had another chance.
24:10Yeah, this was a great...
24:11A bit lucky with the bobbly.
24:13You know, it bobbles in.
24:14Kluivert made a great header.
24:15He actually mishits this volley, as you can see.
24:17But the goalkeeper does well.
24:18The goalkeeper falls down.
24:19They're the ones that normally bobble in.
24:20The mishit ones.
24:21The keeper goes down early, but he keeps it on the ball
24:23and flicks it over with his foot.
24:25So that's a tremendous save.
24:27Suker, he is such a dangerous guy.
24:29He gets himself into wonderful positions to score goals.
24:32Yeah, he's not a 90-minute player.
24:34He just, you know, he plays up front by himself
24:35and he drifts off players, and here he drifts off him.
24:37And this really would have wrapped up the competition for him.
24:39I think if he had got that in.
24:41He lost his marker superbly well,
24:42but he was just a few inches short on that one.
24:44Well, he could have added that if he'd converted that, Barry,
24:47with a one in the first half here.
24:48That could have been number seven.
24:49The goal in the first half.
24:50This is number six.
24:52It's a calculated slash across the ball.
24:54He's drifted it between some of his legs,
24:56across the goalkeeper, and into the far post.
24:58That's why he's got as many goals as he has,
25:00because he's clinical.
25:01Let's have confirmation here of that man,
25:04Davor Suker, at the top of the goal scoring charts.
25:08And, well, gentlemen, there's only one guy who can catch him, isn't there?
25:11Well, he can as well.
25:12You really believe he can?
25:13Well, if there's one man on the charts who can do it,
25:16he's the man in the World Cup who can do it.
25:18But against France, he's going to have limited chances.
25:20He's going to have to be really spot on when he's finishing,
25:22because he's going to have limited opportunities.
25:23Do you think he can catch him, John?
25:25I think, as Barry says, you know,
25:27he's the person in the competition who can.
25:29But the problem is he's playing against the best defence
25:31in the World Cup, in my opinion.
25:32And I don't think he's going to have enough chances ready to catch him.
25:35Just briefly, Holland, I've mentioned Holland had been lucky tonight.
25:39Just very briefly, you know, if you look back against Brazil,
25:41Van Hooydonk's penalty that wasn't.
25:43They'll feel aggrieved.
25:44They'll feel aggrieved about the Brazil one.
25:46They'll feel aggrieved about tonight.
25:48They're going home.
25:48Unfortunately, they've played seven games.
25:49Coming to this competition, play seven games, you think, in the final.
25:52They're going home on a low.
25:53I feel sorry for them.
25:54They've entertained us, though.
25:55OK, thank you.
25:57Well, this is where we offer a big thank you to John and to Barry.
26:01And we look forward, because this time tomorrow,
26:03we'll know who's been crowned world champions.
26:05Will it be Brazil or France?
26:07Whatever the result, you, the viewers, are on to a winner with ITV
26:11on the glorious 12th of July.
Comments