Ruud Gullit interview on ESPN about 1988

**Noelys Guitar** · 17/06/2008, 8:51 PM

Just stated that the game against Ireland in 1988 was the toughest game for the Dutch on their way to winning the tourney. He always speaks well of Ireland and our fans.

**back of the net** · 17/06/2008, 8:59 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Just stated that the game against Ireland in 1988 was the toughest game for the Dutch on their way to winning the tourney. He always speaks well of Ireland and our fans.

any link noely - would love to hear that interview

great to hear us been talked about with such high regard by such a great player

**Noelys Guitar** · 17/06/2008, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by back of the net

any link noely - would love to hear that interview

great to hear us been talked about with such high regard by such a great player

It should be on ESPN360.com tomorrow BOTN. Gullit gave the interview at the end of the Italy v France game. It was great to hear him mention the Ireland game as the toughest. He was comparing us to the Italians in that the then Irish side was such a hard team to play against.

**genethekerryman** · 17/06/2008, 10:53 PM

i heard it too, haha in the same interview he commented on his dreadlocks and said "i looked like a porn star"

**Noelys Guitar** · 17/06/2008, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by genethekerryman

i heard it too, haha in the same interview he commented on his dreadlocks and said "i looked like a porn star"

That was hilarious. It was amazing Gullit only mentioned Ireland from 1988. Nothing on Russia, Germany or England. It was like the game only happened yesterday. Great stuff.

**back of the net** · 18/06/2008, 8:19 AM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

It should be on ESPN360.com tomorrow BOTN. Gullit gave the interview at the end of the Italy v France game. It was great to hear him mention the Ireland game as the toughest. He was comparing us to the Italians in that the then Irish side was such a hard team to play against.

cheers noely

thats gr8 to hear -lookin forward to listening to it

**ken foree** · 18/06/2008, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

That was hilarious. It was amazing Gullit only mentioned Ireland from 1988. Nothing on Russia, Germany or England. It was like the game only happened yesterday. Great stuff.

nahh he mentioned the other 2 in the group i believe, said they were lucky against england but IRELAND (his emphasis/tone of voice) were the toughest game of them all.

**Wolfie** · 18/06/2008, 12:20 PM

Reminds me of that great picure of Chris Hughton sprinting alongside Gullit during that game - bursting a gut to compete with him.

**cavan_fan** · 18/06/2008, 1:46 PM

On an almost related topic I was thinkg when I was watching Austria and Germany that it must be depressing to be an Austrian fan knowing that they will never reach the levels they once scaled. The Austrian wunderteam were the best team in the world in the 30's but they will always be looking backwards. The same could be said of Hungary.

Anyway I wonder if we are going to be the same and look back on hte 80's/90's for ever as our glory days.

Just thought I'd be depressing!

**Metrostars** · 18/06/2008, 2:41 PM

I saw that too, saying Ireland was the toughest match in 1988. But then again, he also complimented Julie Foudy at the end. I had to laugh at that one.

**billybunter** · 18/06/2008, 4:40 PM

thats some compliment alright. He was the best player I have ever seen playing live - tremendous athlete, with a great footballing brain.

**bennocelt** · 18/06/2008, 4:52 PM

on the 1988 theme
this is interesting from the guardian football
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/10/euro2008

says that both the english and irish fans joined forces to fight the german skinheads.......jeez i never heard of this story!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Hibernian** · 18/06/2008, 8:25 PM

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

On an almost related topic I was thinkg when I was watching Austria and Germany that it must be depressing to be an Austrian fan knowing that they will never reach the levels they once scaled. The Austrian wunderteam were the best team in the world in the 30's but they will always be looking backwards. The same could be said of Hungary.

Anyway I wonder if we are going to be the same and look back on hte 80's/90's for ever as our glory days.

Just thought I'd be depressing!

Its a interesting point you brought up there..

We could end up like them very easily but i would be hopeful that day wont come and we will be talking more of the great team that won the world cup in south africa in 2010

**Noelys Guitar** · 18/06/2008, 9:28 PM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

on the 1988 theme
this is interesting from the guardian football
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/10/euro2008

says that both the english and irish fans joined forces to fight the german skinheads.......jeez i never heard of this story!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember reading that story the day after the match in the mirror. (English and Irish papers could be bought in the main German train stations). But never met anyone who could confirm it. There had been a fight on the Friday night before the game in a Stuttgart bar/restaurant between England and Ireland fans. (I was still in Frankfurt on the Friday night and knew many of the fans attacked). I saw no trouble the day of the game itself but there was a fairly nasty atmosphere on the train from Frankfurt to Stuttgart on the Sunday morning of the game. (Mostly Leeds and West ham on our train).

**ken foree** · 19/06/2008, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

(Mostly Leeds and West ham on our train).

ugh next to stoke and cardiff are there any harder british fans!

**CJTheGull** · 19/06/2008, 8:51 AM

Originally Posted by ken foree

ugh next to stoke and cardiff are there any harder british fans!

Millwall? They are on their way to Bray for a friendly at The Carlisle soon. I'm sure they are brickin' it!

**Hibernian** · 19/06/2008, 9:27 AM

Originally Posted by ken foree

ugh next to stoke and cardiff are there any harder british fans!

Rangers

**ken foree** · 19/06/2008, 10:21 AM

derailing the thread here but points well taken!

**geysir** · 19/06/2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

I remember reading that story the day after the match in the mirror. (English and Irish papers could be bought in the main German train stations). But never met anyone who could confirm it. There had been a fight on the Friday night before the game in a Stuttgart bar/restaurant between England and Ireland fans. (I was still in Frankfurt on the Friday night and knew many of the fans attacked). I saw no trouble the day of the game itself but there was a fairly nasty atmosphere on the train from Frankfurt to Stuttgart on the Sunday morning of the game. (Mostly Leeds and West ham on our train).

Wherever there is trouble, Belgium or Germany, you are never too far removed from the action