Revenge for Naarden (Dutch Vs. Spanish Hapsburgs)

Weekly Standard ^ | July 7, 2010 | Victorino Matus

[C19fan]

Had Germany been triumphant in today's semifinal match, all the talk would have been about the Dutch seeking revenge for World War II. Instead, Spain scored the one and only goal, proving once again that Paul the Octopus is all-knowing. (He is now taking bets for the Super Bowl.)

Nevertheless, being Europe with its long history of cross-border conflict and bloodshed, a grudge match it will be come Sunday—at least if you are Dutch and are familiar with the War of the Spanish Succession as well as Schiller's Don Carlos, Infant of Spain (not to mention Verdi's opera of the same name).

[C19fan]

Velasquez "Surrender of Breda" ping, hee hee.

[Perdogg]

ping

[1rudeboy]

Those of you who are not of a delicate nature, search YouTube for “manchester+united+chant+torres”, it never fails to crack me up.

[JerseyHighlander]

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[Fiji Hill]

Nevertheless, being Europe with its long history of cross-border conflict and bloodshed, a grudge match it will be come Sunday—at least if you are Dutch and are familiar with the War of the Spanish Succession

The author has his wars confused. The Naarden incident took place during the Dutch War of Independence, also known as the 80-Years War, which was fought between 1568 and 1648. The War of the Spanish Succession took place between 1701 and 1714 and was triggered when the king of France tried to put his grandson on the throne of Spain. In North America, it was known as Queen Anne's War.

[Tax-chick]

Captain Alatriste was there! (What he would think of soccer ... unprintable even in early Castillian.)

[mikrofon]

I guess this Final will separate the Hapsburgs from the hapless....

Also, though not well-versed in all the World Cup awards, can anyone tell me the point of the consolation match? (”We’re No. 3!)

Do they present awards other than the Rimet trophy to the runners-up as in the Olympics? Otherwise, I’d rather go home.

[J Aguilar]

Some points that the author of the article has forgotten:

1) Many habitants of the Low Countries - and the German Empire - were Protestants as a way of establishing their independence from the German Emperor (whose official title was Holy Roman Emperor): that is, the problem was political -for power- not religion.

2) Unwillingly by the Spanish Catholic kings, the Spanish crown happened to be inherited by the German Emperor Charles V, born in “Ghent”.

3) German Emperor and Spanish King Charles V -a german- came from the first time to Spain when he was 18. In the terms the Castillian parliament established to him to become king, he was ordered to learn Spanish and to stop appointing foreigners to posts in Spain.

4) After facing two revolts, he fell in love with Spain, and soon made it the center of his territories. Nevertheless, before dying, he made swear his son Phillip II to preserve the Catholic faith in his birth-land.

5) The Low Countries were by then the manufacturing area of the extensive Spanish territories in Europe and America: they got huge economic privileges, in some cases monopolies on some products. That avoided the growth of the industry in Spain.

6) In spite of getting those privileges, they refused to contribute not just to their self defence. Any attempt in that direction was tackled by revolt against the “oppressors”.

7) Although bloody, the actions of the Duke of Alba were easily surpassed by many other massacres during the so-called wars of religion. Tens of thousands starved in Paris during sieges, and aroung 10,000 Huguenots were killed in France in a few hours.