Attacker Andres Oper says the same. «We want to attack as well, hopefully halting Holland’s victory march. They do play at home and, naturally, will want to force their game on us, but we sure have our chances.»
At press conference, Mr Rüütli only revealed that the starting 11 will surely include both Klavan and Oper.
Looking at the team’s last night’s training session, we concluded that Mr Klavan will initially be assisted, in centre defence, by Igor Morozov. Another opening attacker, next to Mr Oper, will be Henrik Ojamaa.
Mr Oper (35) will be the arrowhead – having, in times past, troubled Mr van Gaal’s career a whopping three times. Also underlined as Estonia’s pillar by Dutch Voetbal International website, yesterday, Mr Oper not only scored against Holland in Tallinn, but did two goals against the van Gaal led AZ Alkmaar on the final day of 2006. Mr Roda secured a 2:2 draw, but with that game Alkmaar lost hopes to gain Dutch champ title.
For Tarmo Rüütli, playing Holland is somewhat special, as, in the 1970ies, it was the famed and «total football playing» Dutch team that did deeply impress him. «I well remember the Cruyff era, hoped they’d take World Cup. Holland was my favourite, and widely expected to win… still failing to seal the deal. They played total football, they were fast and skilful. It sure had a great impact on my own philosophy,» the Estonian coach admitted.