Color this passion bright orange

Excited about the chance to see the talented, but surprising, Dutch side today for the first time in the European championships quarterfinals. Talented, as they always are, with a stocked roster of some of the best club players on the continent. Surprising, because Holland has been a notorious underachiever on the international stage recently. Two years ago they didn't impress at the World Cup, and in 2002 missed that event altogether. A nation that created the "Total Football" revolution had descended into a collection of individuals who didn't seem to care playing together. 

But in an age of often soulless, defensive-minded soccer dominated by the commercial demands of the club game, these Dutch are sparking some fond memories of Holland's glorious past, led by Johan Cruyff in the 1970s and a decade later, from current coach Marco van Basten:

"Their style is love-you-madly, artfully managed excess. . . . It is Liberation Soccer, fiesta football, with the added pleasure that no one is trying to turn it into ideology."

It's hard to believe this is essentially the same Dutch squad that two years ago exited the World Cup in violent disgrace against Portugal, guided by an unremorseful van Basten. Soon he will be taking the reins at famed Amsterdam club Ajax, but for just a little while longer (and maybe just this quarterfinal matchup against the resolute Russians) there's some genuine passion on the pitch that's being allowed to be played out.

Read the whole ode to Die Oranje, but be warned of the hack lead. It's gruesome. Once you get past it, you may find it just as enjoyable as watching the Dutch. 

Update: I blogged too soon. Russia was just as dazzling today in a 3-1 extra time win as Dutch-born coach Guus Hiddink continues his expatriate miracle work. South Korea in '02, Australia in '06 and now this might be the most impressive feat of all.