Abstract
This essay describes some of the legendary accomplishments of the Netherlands football team in the World Cup and other international tournaments. It focuses on the Dutch teams led by Johan Cruyff and affectionately known as ‘The Clockwork Orange’ because they introduced a modern style of play with precision passing that was referred to as ‘total football’. The Netherlands advanced to the World Cup final in 1974 and 1978, only to lose the championship each time. The study also explores the role of the Dutch coach Rinus Michels and some of Cruyff’s teammates such as Johan Neeskens and Rob Rensenbrink. Looking at the Netherlands’ performances in the European championships and World Cups in the last three decades, the essay attempts to bring out the transformations in Dutch football in post-Cruyff age. Finally, it discusses the team’s rabid and energized fan base, and the ambush marketing scandal that took place during the 2010 World Cup.
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