Estimated costs (contribution Dutch government):

Costs Nieuwe Kuip: 200 million Euro's ( 1/3 local government, 1/3 private investors, 1/3 banks/Feyenoord)

Costs expansion Amsterdam Arena: 75 million euro's

Costs expansion Abe Lenstra stadion: 40 million euro's

Costs expansion Grolsch Veste: 40 million euro's

Costs expansion Philips Stadion: 50 million euro's

These costs only includes the stadiums, infrastructural costs are not included

Total costs around 400 million euro's

Estimated costs:

Costs Nieuwe Kuip: 200 million Euro's ( 1/3 local government, 1/3 private investors, 1/3 banks/Feyenoord)

Costs expansion Amsterdam Arena: 75 million euro's

Costs expansion Abe Lenstra stadion: 40 million euro's

Costs expansion Grolsch Veste: 40 million euro's

Costs expansion Philips Stadion: 50 million euro's

These costs only includes the stadiums, infrastructural costs are not included

Total costs around 400 million euro's

You realy think a new kuip will only cost 200 millon, when Valencia is allready going up to 300 million with a smaller stadium then the new Kuip will be. Mark my wurds 500 million comes first.
They will never get it done, also because of bureaucratie and lack of infrastructure, and then I am not even talking about the financial part.
Our Belgium partners aren´t doing much better either.
Forget about it, we can´t even organize a proper cupfinal

^^ For the Nieuwe Kuip they estimate about 600 million.

When something has to be done, it will be done. For the Olympic bid of Amsterdam 1992 they needed to fix the road infrastructure. The ringroad A10 was finished in 1990 because of a possible Olympic Games in 1992. The bid failed, but the construction of the infrastructure not.

^^ For the Nieuwe Kuip they estimate about 600 million.

When something has to be done, it will be done. For the Olympic bid of Amsterdam 1992 they needed to fix the road infrastructure. The ringroad A10 was finished in 1990 because of a possible Olympic Games in 1992. The bid failed, but the construction of the infrastructure not.

Then I was ´only´ of about 100 million.
Mark my words, it can´t be done before 2018, maybe 2022.

^^ For the Nieuwe Kuip they estimate about 600 million.

These are the figures Ab Klink told BNR radio and RTL, 400 million total costs all Dutch stadiums (including Nieuwe Kuip). These costs are the government's contribution

If the Nieuwe Kuip will cost 600 million, the government contribution for the Nieuwe Kuip will be 200 million Euro's ( as mentioned before 3 parties share each a third of the costs; 3x 200 million Euro's= 600 million Euro's)

But as always: estimated costs for big projects (remember NZ-lijn) are never correct

Concept of the new stadium in Bruges. This is not the definitive design.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be//Assets/Images_Upload/2010/04/26//stad1.jpg.h380.jpg.568.jpghttp://www.nieuwsblad.be//Assets/Images_Upload/2010/04/26/stad2.jpg.h380.jpg.568.jpg
http://www.nieuwsblad.be//Assets/Images_Upload/2010/04/26/stad3.jpg.h380.jpg.568.jpghttp://www.nieuwsblad.be//Assets/Images_Upload/2010/04/26/stad4.jpg.h380.jpg.568.jpg

^^ cool!! welcome..:)

renders renovated stadium genk:

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/6321/genk1.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5248/genk2.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7161/genk3.jpg

Both stadiums are from A&E Architecten (Dutch), the Charleroi stadium also.

These guys are really masters in innovating new stadiums

THE HOLLANDBELGIUM BID PRESENTS SEVEN GREAT GOALS
Friday 14 May, 2010

Great Goals magazineThe HollandBelgium Bid, the joint candidacy of Belgium and Holland for the FIFA World Cup, today presented seven Great Goals as part of its Bid Book. The Great Goals herald the contribution the HollandBelgium Bid will make to football, as well as to the people, society and the environment.

The Bid Book and a magazine which features the Great Goals and the ambassadors of the Bid were handed over to FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter by Ruud Gullit, Paul Van Himst and Johan Cruyff in Zurich today. The HollandBelgium Bid delegation, including co-chairmen Michael van Praag and Francois De Keersmaecker as well as CEO Harry Been, arrived at FIFA House by bicycle. The bicycle ride drew attention to the green ambitions of the Bid.

Bid President Ruud Gullit said: “EURO2000 is a showcase for a profitable tournament and a successful standard for joint organisation. Today we offer FIFA all the ingredients for a great football fiesta with a lasting legacy. A guarantee for success.”

1. Success guaranteed
Thanks to our experience with and expertise in organising major football tournaments and sport events, we can guarantee a successful tournament to the world. A tournament with world-class football, a great atmosphere and a profitable outcome.

The Low Countries form a duality. We demonstrate that a joint candidacy is more than feasible – EURO2000 is the example. With this we are an example for all other countries that would like to host a FIFA World Cup together.

A compact tournament in the heart of Europe. The next match is never far away.

2. Added impetus for the springboard of football talent
The Low Countries have developed themselves into springboards for top talent and top coaches for the major European competitions and national teams around the world. The FIFA World Cup is a necessary stimulus for our national competitions, which enable us to remain strong springboards. We will offer the world an insight into how we do this.

3. All of our 14 FIFA World Cup stadiums are green and sustainable
We offer the world a toolkit for sustainable stadiums.

Thanks to newly developed guidance for sustainable stadiums, the HollandBelgium Bid is a pioneer in creating stadiums that are green beyond imagination. To ensure this, countless new concepts and techniques are being applied. Named the Sustainable Stadium Toolkit, we offer this to the football world.

4. Open Football Clubs as centres of our community
Commitment by the Low Countries to install 2.018 or 2022 Open Football Clubs within eight years.
The Open Football Clubs model will be made available to other countries.

The Low Countries enjoy a special club culture. We will use this to build a unique network of Open Football Clubs, which will operate as multifunctional centres in communities, villages and cities.

The basis of these new-style clubs is health, respect and education, thereby tackling relevant issues in society.

All existing social community initiatives, under the umbrella of the Open Football Club name, will receive an enormous boost by hosting the FIFA World Cup. This enables us to realise our ambition to install 2018 or 2022 Open Football Clubs.

5. We educate 2018 or 2022 WorldCoaches worldwide
Through a specially developed programme called WorldCoaches, the HollandBelgium Bid supports the education and development of trainers and other key figures within clubs in developing countries. Up to 2018 or we can train 2018 or 2022 coaches through WorldCoaches – a clear commitment by the HollandBelgium Bid.

WorldCoaches does not only focus on football skills, coaching and organisation, but also on the development of so-called life skills.

During a FIFA World Cup in the Low Countries we offer a special Train the Trainer programme, based on the WorldCoaches approach.

6. The most sustainable FIFA World Cup ever
Our compactness dramatically reduces the need for transport during the tournament. Together with a set of new eco-measurements, The HollandBelgium Bid guarantees a FIFA World Cup with an environmental impact that is 50% lower.

We have an Environment Protection Plan in place which gives centre stage to optimised public transport and 2 million free bicycles.

We have created a unique World Cup Ecological Footprint – a new method to measure the ecological impact of a major football event. Thanks to this instrument we know that we will ‘save’ 50% on the environment. We will offer this concept to FIFA.

7. World-class football in a great atmosphere.
Football fans can expect a dream holiday when visiting a FIFA World Cup in the Low Countries. Fans can enjoy world-class football in a fantastic atmosphere which has so much to offer. Cities, beaches, culinary delights, shopping.

The Low Countries are laidback and have supporters who create a wonderful atmosphere. The entire world will feel at home.

Our compactness is an advantage. Stadiums are always close. Fans, players, officials and media feel the advantage of short travel times, which means more time to enjoy.

A FIFA World Cup in the Low Countries will be a football fiesta that is unmatched.
Source: Official Website

Proposed expansion of PSV stadium in Eindhoven, the capital city of the WC if it will be in the Benelux.

Mr.Mit. [NL];56775419']Eindelijk serieuze impressies van het Philips Stadion na uitbreiding:

01.
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4127/philipsstadionnieuw1.png

02.
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8951/philipsstadionnieuw2.png

03.
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/677/philipsstadionnieuw3.png

04.
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3596/philipsstadionnieuw4.png

Na deze uitbreiding komt het aantal zitplaatsen op 44.000

http://telegraaf-i.telegraaf.nl/daily/2010/5/17/TE/TE-TT_2S_20100517_S12/articles/TE-TT_2S_20100517_12_13_1_image.jpg

^^

Where and how did you find this picture ?

They uploaded a Bid Book (but you must register to enter the site). Look at the Bid site.

http://telegraaf-i.telegraaf.nl/daily/2010/5/17/TE/TE-TT_2S_20100517_S12/articles/TE-TT_2S_20100517_12_13_1_image.jpg

Great stadiums !!! welcome... :banana::banana::banana:

I feel embaressed that they put the olympic stadium in it... a stadium with a track and just 43k capacity, thats not worth a world cup match. Why not leave the amsterdam arena as it is (52k) and build a complete new stadium with 65k (olympic?)

To bad Groningen is not in the bid

For possible Olympic Games they would build a complete new stadium. They want to use the old Olympic Stadium for another sports event prior to the WC (European Athletics Championships). This will be a temporary expansion. They haven't made a final design, so we don't know how it will look like. They and we know only that it is technical possible. For the long term this is better.

Haha nice to see that the new kuip will have 82 800 cap. Also they are finaly building a new stadium in Antwerp, Brugge and Liege...
I see the Arteveld stadium will extend before it´s even build and the Olympic stadium is the top of the cream.
This bidbook is a joke and a complete waste of time.

The Olympic Stadium will not be hosting an actual WC-game it is a kind of back-up stadium (just like the old Kuip in Rotterdam). The picture showed above is one of the two pre-designs.

They should have taken the other option for the Olympic Stadium on the picture.
The upper one looks (in my humble opinion) definitely better than the one below:
http://i33.tinypic.com/rliyw4.jpg

They should have taken the other option for the Olympic Stadium on the picture.
The upper one looks (in my humble opinion) definitely better than the one below:
http://i33.tinypic.com/rliyw4.jpg
Seriously, that they even dare to provide that lower image for a bid...
Upper design looks 10x more solid then that crap.

As a Dutch guy i hope off course that we will be the ones to host 2018/2022 but if you come with such crappy designs it is just a waste of time!

Well its actually not a design, because there isnt a finished design yet. Its just as an impression and to show what is possible.

Het grote probleem met het Olympisch Stadion is dat het een monumentale status heeft. Je mag er dus niks aan slopen en het ontwerp mag niet aanzienlijk worden veranderd. Het Olympisch Stadion zou bij de oorspronkelijke bid helemaal niet gebruikt worden. Groningen en Alkmaar zouden in eerste instantie ook kandidaat-steden worden met ieder een 40k + stadion. De gemeenteraad van Groningen en de DSB-affaire/gemeente Alkmaar besliste echter anders. Hierdoor is er te weinig tijd geweest om met een fatsoenlijke ontwerp te komen.

Ik vind ook dat je niet met zo'n lachwekkend ontwerp kunt aankomen maar vergeet niet dat het Olympisch stadion niet gebruikt gaat worden. (de Fifa eist minimaal 12 officiële WK-steden en 2 reserve-stadions)

Oops I did it in Dutch

Translation here: http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt

http://telegraaf-i.telegraaf.nl/daily/2010/5/17/TE/TE-TT_2S_20100517_S12/articles/TE-TT_2S_20100517_12_13_1_image.jpg

Benelux = BElgium - NEtherlands - LUXembourg right

but where is stadium in Luxembourg?

Benelux = BElgium - NEtherlands - LUXembourg right

but where is stadium in Luxembourg?

Only belgium and netherlands. So no benelux.

Only belgium and netherlands. So no benelux.

The money will be stored in a bankaccount at Luxemburg.

Luxembourg could be the neutral city/nation, in that it holds the WC draws (both), houses 1 or 2 teams and the crowning glory, perhaps using funds left over a new 20,000 seater or so stadium, not only to serve the visiting teams making Luxembourg their homes during the WC, but also host a few pre WC friendlies?

When you look at the Bid book it's nice to see that it's a realistic plan...
but if it's impressive enough to convince the Fifa...?

Luxembourg could be the neutral city/nation, in that it holds the WC draws (both), houses 1 or 2 teams and the crowning glory, perhaps using funds left over a new 20,000 seater or so stadium, not only to serve the visiting teams making Luxembourg their homes during the WC, but also host a few pre WC friendlies?Luxemburg has nothing to do with this bid -_- If only because a 3-way bid would probably never pass & they wouldn't lux automatically qualify ^^

Why would Luxemburg be included in this bid when it doesn't has/need a stadium. We can easily do it with BE & NL.

When you look at the Bid book it's nice to see that it's a realistic plan...
but if it's impressive enough to convince the Fifa...?

I don't think so.

The costs are a very low estimate. To low. 200m for a 80.000 stadium? Look at wembley, look at the stadiums in Germany. No way that the 400m will be enough for the government.

This bid has two hopes, no hope and bob hope:lol:

Benelux = BElgium - NEtherlands - LUXembourg right

but where is stadium in Luxembourg?

The name Benelux?

Belgium and the Netherlands are part of the Benelux Union. The members of the Benelux parliament in Brussels has an advisory role for Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. Because of these Union since 1955, the countries can work very efficiently as one nation.

Blatter was very unsatisfied with co-hosting of Japan and S. Korea in 2002. Because Japan and S. Korea had their own separate organization. Belgium and the Netherlands have the advantage to organize an event as one nation.

In 2009 the Benelux parliament already said to want to invest in the wc2018 tournament. So this include Luxembourg as well. Luxembourg doesn't have a impresive football stadium infrastructure but I think they aiming on tourist visiting the Benelux countries. After all the Benelux is a small union were distance are very short to travel.

I don't think so.

The costs are a very low estimate. To low. 200m for a 80.000 stadium? Look at wembley, look at the stadiums in Germany. No way that the 400m will be enough for the government.

You have to read better... but still you are probably right at the end.

You have to read better... but still you are probably right at the end.

You are pointing at the private investements I guess. I also counted them in in my thinking.

Haha nice to see that the new kuip will have 82 800 cap. Also they are finaly building a new stadium in Antwerp, Brugge and Liege...
I see the Arteveld stadium will extend before it´s even build and the Olympic stadium is the top of the cream.
This bidbook is a joke and a complete waste of time.

drawingbook infrastructure is quit common for bids.

http://telegraaf-i.telegraaf.nl/daily/2010/5/17/TE/TE-TT_2S_20100517_S12/articles/TE-TT_2S_20100517_12_13_1_image.jpg
It's probably already mentionned a lot but which ones of those will be built even if we don't get the World Cup? (I know it's hard to say at this moment but just the ones that are 95-100% sure)

It's probably already mentionned a lot but which ones of those will be built even if we don't get the World Cup? (I know it's hard to say at this moment but just the ones that are 95-100% sure)

In that case, the stadium renewal will continue in Belgium, but on a smaller scale.
The project in Bruges is imo the only project that will continue, even without hosting the WC.

In that case, the stadium renewal will continue in Belgium, but on a smaller scale.
The project in Bruges is imo the only project that will continue, even without hosting the WC.

Also the expansion of Sclessin (Liège) doesn't depend on the possible WC in the Benelux.

It's probably already mentionned a lot but which ones of those will be built even if we don't get the World Cup? (I know it's hard to say at this moment but just the ones that are 95-100% sure)

With no WC 2018 in the Netherlands these plans are official:

Amsterdam Arena: expansion to 55.000
Nieuwe Kuip: New stadium 70.000/80.000 or less
Grolsch Veste: expansion to 32.000 (this year)
Abe Lenstra Stadion: expansion to 32.000 (2011)

ok thx!

With no WC 2018 in the Netherlands these plans are official:

*1 Amsterdam Arena: expansion to 55.000
*2 Nieuwe Kuip: New stadium 70.000/80.000 or less
*3 Grolsch Veste: expansion to 32.000 (this year)
*4 Abe Lenstra Stadion: expansion to 32.000 (2011)

*1 Is that beeing done by closing the corners or something? Love to see more info.
*2 I thought it was minimum 80 000 and expandable (to 106 000.:cheers:)
*3 starting in September I believe, strange date by the way.
*4 You have noticed any movement yet?

It's probably already mentionned a lot but which ones of those will be built even if we don't get the World Cup? (I know it's hard to say at this moment but just the ones that are 95-100% sure)

The one in Ghent will be built anyway, they'll probably start after the summer.

It will only be a 22k stadium, the other 22k will only be build temporarily for the WC2018.

*1 Is that beeing done by closing the corners or something? Love to see more info.
*2 I thought it was minimum 80 000 and expandable (to 106 000.:cheers:)
*3 starting in September I believe, strange date by the way.
*4 You have noticed any movement yet?

*1 The Amsterdam Arena will expand the first tier by lowering the stands to the pitch (overlapping the transportation shafts/"gracht" which will still be open for transport), about the corners: 2 corners will be closed permanently and 2 corners will be closed with moving stands (similar to Euro 2000) this is still "on hold" because less wind could have a negative effect on the pitch. I don't expect any movement this summer (maybe some extra stands close to the pitch. It all depends on Fifa's verdict (do you accept Russian roubles ?) in december...

*2 The New Kuip will only expand to 80.000 or more if the Netherlands/Belgium WC 2018 will be successful in their bid. Losing the bid will have an affect on the actual capacity because the budget to build the new stadium will certainly decrease. The city council of Rotterdam will decide after december 2010 how/what/when and how much

*3 The Grolsch Veste expansion to 32.000:
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2064/grolschveste32000.jpg

*4 Abe Lenstra Stadion: Heerenveen could start with the expansion of the West Side of the stadium in september 2010 but they did n't because of practical reasons (season planning) new start date is spring 2011

*1 That´s nice with Ajax that they are going to close the gap, which is big at this moment, to the pitch. Groningen did that also in a nice way.
*2 Feyenoord minimum 80 000 with pos.expansion to enormus...
*3 Fc Twente is going to look good. I wunder, WC or not, when they will do the final expansion. It looks not finished, though allright. They will get there I think.
*4 SC Heerenveen, you have some more info about how it is going to look when expanded to 32 000?

Thanks for the info.

New clip of the PSV Eindhoven Philips stadium expansion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Q5PeTtALk&feature=player_embedded

[QUOTE=Belxos;57566849]The one in Ghent will be built anyway, they'll probably start after the summer.
[QUOTE]

... you´re sure?

Any pics of Amsterdam ArenA expansion?

I have not seen any recent good renders of the possible expansion of the Amsterdam ArenA. Hopefully we will see some of them soon. ;)

http://www.thebid.org/images/amsterdam-arena.jpg

The same render of the expanded Amsterdam ArenA but a bit bigger.

Click here for more renders of the other stadiums. (http://www.thebid.org/over-the-bid/stadions-2/)

Orange convoy overruns South African roads

An orange convoy made up of 175 camper vans, cars, buses and trucks departed from the Orange Camp Site in Fountains Valley, Pretoria, heading for Durban on Wednesday morning amid great interest from the international press. The roofs of all the vehicles were festooned with stickers with The HollandBelgium Bid logo.

The colourful procession carried 750 people 640 kilometres to the next Orange Camp Site set up in the Bluff Eco Park. The N14 motorway was closed off especially for the convoy and the Dutch, South African and international press assembled along the route to report on the 175 vehicles. Take a look at the helicopter footage of the convoy on The HollandBelgium Bid’s YouTube channel.

The Netherlands will be playing its second FIFA World Cup™ match against Japan in Durban on 19 June. On 20 June, the convoy will then head down to Cape Town, the Dutch team’s next venue.

A little list for you guys :)

http://www.thebid.org/images/logo_thebiddingnations.gif
The Holland Belgium Bid (http://www.thebid.org/?lang=nl)
_________________________________________________________________________________________

STADIUMS

http://i38.tinypic.com/xojz14.jpg

Netherlands

HEERENVEEN - Abe Lenstra Stadion - 26.100

http://www.freewebs.com/ekonder21/sc%20Heerenveen%20Abe%20Lenstra.bmp

World Cup capacity: 44.000
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/6213/heerenveen.jpg

ENSCHEDE - De Grolsch Veste - 24.000

https://www.ruimtelijkeplannen.enschede.nl/NL.IMRO.0153.20092639-0002/i_NL.IMRO.0153.20092639-0002_0009.jpg

World Cup capacity: 44.000
http://www.tctubantia.nl/multimedia/archive/01347/twente2_1347107m.jpg

EINDHOVEN - Philips Stadion - 35.000

http://www.psv.nl/upload/63fa5916-288d-4dcd-8162-2fadcd47af83_1201092028735-PhilipsStadion468lucht.jpg

World Cup capacity: 44.000/45.000
http://i50.tinypic.com/2z5j29h.jpg

AMSTERDAM - Amsterdam ArenA - 51.628

http://afca1900.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/2009/05/19/amsterdam_arena.jpg

World Cup capacity: 65.000 - 85.000
http://i48.tinypic.com/k37w5v.jpg

AMSTERDAM - Olympisch Stadion - 22.288

http://onzetrots.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/olympisch-stadion.jpg

World Cup capacity: 44.000
http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/userfiles/KLEIN-OSA_vogelvlucht_var0%5B1%5D.jpghttp://www.tombergevoetarchitecture.nl/data///osa-vogelvlucht.jpg

ROTTERDAM - De Kuip - 51.577

http://www.fussballtempel.net/uefa/NED/De_Kuip_A.jpg

No expansion since a new stadium will be built next to it.

ROTTERDAM - Nieuwe Kuip - 85.000

http://www.dekuip.nl/media/editor/De_Nieuwe_Kuip/Stadion_Park_situatie_2018_web_.jpg

This stadium hasn't been constructed yet. There also isn't an official render for the stadion.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Belgium

BRUGGE - Stadion Brugge - 40.000

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3305/bruggeb.jpg

This stadium hasn't been constructed yet.

GENT - Arteveldestadion - 21.000

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3291/cropar.jpg

World Cup capacity: 44.000
This stadium hasn't been constructed yet.

ANTWERPEN - Eurostadion/Metropoolstadion - 25.000

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1031/antwerpen.jpg

World Cup capacity: 40.000
This stadion hasn't been constructed yet.

GENK - Cristal Arena - 24.604

http://nieuwsblad.typepad.com/genk/images/2008/12/20/3600_genk1315100906.jpg

World Cup capacity: 45.000
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5482/genk.jpg

BRUSSEL - Nationaal Stadion - 65.000

http://i50.tinypic.com/xc965e.jpg

This stadium hasn't been constructed yet.

LUIK - ???? - ????

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/875/luik.jpg

World Cup capacity: unkown

CHARLEROI - ???? - ????

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3103/charleroi.jpg

World Cup capacity: unkown
_________________________________________________________________________________________

:cheers:

^^ I don't like so much this bid. :ohno:

Starting from Enschede to Heerenveen are more stadia for a Euro competition than a WC.

Could be interesting new stadia in Rotterdam and in Bruxelles, and fantastic, like always Amsterdam Arena, but these stadia can't be compared to Germany 2006 or Korea/Japan 2002 ones.

Bidbook: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CQY4S9LA

Rotterdam 82,000
Brussels 80,000
Amsterdam 62,000

:)

So the Netherlands knocks off Brazil 2-1. Wonder if a Netherlands victory boosts their campaign for 2018? In theory that not only bolsters local enthusiasm but adds a wee bit more credence in the world's eyes: "If the nation is capable of winning a trophy then surely they're up for being more than able hosts, right?" At the least, this good run solidifies the perception that they're as enthusiastic a nation as England, Spain or Brazil, methinks.

I'm also being won over by the fact that this bid would rate highly in terms of bona fide legacy and re-use of venues. True, same applies for England and Spain, but this would be seen as a nice gesture by FIFA to recognize the efforts of Netherlands/Belgium. Though the venues might be smaller on average compared to their European peers, it also guarantees we won't be seeing empty seats on the TV broadcasts and that the stadiums would remain near-ideal fits for the local teams. I can see Enshede and Heerenveen regularly drawing in the 30's. At the least, this would feel, to me, like FIFA would be getting more return-on-investment in terms of making an impact on the local game when compared with England or the Iberian bid.

One man's musings after today's match. Cheers.

A world cup win will give it a boost, but how big a boost is questionable. Italy won the World Cup months before UEFA decided to overlook them in favour of Ukraine/Poland for Euro 2012. A team's success on the pitch may not have quite the impact some would hope.

^^ Well in the angle I'm going for the situations aren't compatible. Italy's brand is well established and they're viewed as a stable soccer entity: Outside investment in their infrastructure and exposure is unlikely to significantly impact their local league and/or the national team. Not so with regards to Belgium and Netherlands, for while footie fanatics know of Ajax, Brugge, Clockwork Orange, etc, they're hardly viewed globally as in the same tier as Italian teams. Give each league and national team an extra push with a FIFA event and you might actually build something, particularly as non-traditional powers like Enschede become even more able to stand with the traditional powers. Hardly a difference maker in this bidding process, but in terms of the mythical "legacy" factor from FIFA's perspective this feels like the most viable European option. Russia still seems too far a reach, IMO.

A little boost, but a boost nonetheless.

A world cup win will give it a boost, but how big a boost is questionable. Italy won the World Cup months before UEFA decided to overlook them in favour of Ukraine/Poland for Euro 2012. A team's success on the pitch may not have quite the impact some would hope.

If we would win the WC that certainly would help. :) But it will not be a decisive factor imho. Nevertheless the Dutch WC-2010 performance will not do the bid any harm. ;)

Visit of FIFA in Belgium

FIFA Inspectors Meet Belgian PM on Holland-Belgium Visit; Henin Shows Support
August 10, 2010

http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/_img/articles/aoqmuvgm.oxs.jpg
Bid ambassadors Justine Henin, Jean-Marie Pfaff and Paul van Himst welcomed the FIFA inspection team led by Chilean FA president Harold Mayne-Nicholls at the Brussels Expo-Atomium on Monday

(WFI) FIFA inspectors are meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme today as part of their evaluation of the Holland-Belgium 2018 World Cup bid.

Leterme, who will step down when a new coalition government forms, is expected to offer reassurances about the cross-party support for the bid in Belgium in his 90-minute meeting with the six-man FIFA team.

His reassurances follow concerns voiced by two leading Belgian politicians last week, who questioned whether FIFA should be granted tax-free status and allowed to make certain marketing demands on organisers. Bid officials brushed aside the claims, stressing that no legislation would be changed specifically for FIFA and a World Cup.

FIFA inspectors began Tuesday with a presentation by Brussels authorities about their plans for a new 80,000-seat national stadium.

The Holland-Belgium bid includes 12 host stadia; five in the Netherlands and seven in Belgium where several new venues would be built.

After FIFA's meeting with Leterme, delegates will tour a proposed World Cup training site at Tempo Overijse and later a team base camp, Chateau du Lac.

The commission will then travel to Antwerp where members will be briefed about the city's new stadium along with transport and mobility plans for a World Cup.

The FIFA inspection team arrived in Belgium yesterday, the first stop in Europe on its two-month tour of the nine bidders for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup following visits to Australia, Korea and Japan.

On his arrival, delegation chairman Harold Mayne-Nicholls said he was hoping to get many new ideas that could be of benefit to the entire football world.

Henin says bid embraces "whole world"
Belgian tennis player Justine Henin was among the bid ambassadors who made speeches on Monday.

"It’s no secret that I am a big football fan - I admit, I’m an Anderlecht fan. One and a half years ago I was one of the first ambassadors of the Holland-Belgium Bid, because I would really love to have the FIFA World Cup here in 2018 or 2022," she said in her address to FIFA inspectors.

"A World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands would be an economically good thing for our countries and is a tremendous boost for our sports; not only for football, but for all sports.

The former world No.1 tennis player added: "We don’t want to organize the World Cup just for ourselves, but we’d like to include the whole world. We can give all members of the FIFA delegation a look behind the scenes and expand the soccer programs like 'World Coaches' and the Africa project in collaboration with SOS Children's Villages.

During their stay, she said FIFA delegates would "get an idea of the vast experience of both countries in organizing major events such as Euro 2000, U-17 and U-21 European Championships and the U-20 world championships" and learn of the "enormous ambition our countries have for organizing a very successful FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022".

On Wednesday, FIFA inspectors will visit stadiums in Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, discussing bid plans with the mayors of each city.

A meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and sports minister Ab Klink is scheduled to take place
in the Hague in the afternoon.

Further briefings take place on Thursday before the FIFA evaluation trip concludes with a press conference at Ajax's Amsterdam Arena where Mayne-Nicholls will make a closing statement. Bid president Ruud Gullit and CEO Harry Been will be available to answer questions from reporters.



By INSIDER editor Mark Bisson


Even if there some critics about this bid from politics:

Criticism ahead of visit of FIFA inspectors for Belgium-Netherlands bid
By Raf Casert (CP) – Aug 3, 2010

BRUSSELS — Some Belgian politicians are questioning the conditions under which FIFA wants the World Cup to be organized, only days before the arrival of inspectors to assess the Belgium-Netherlands bid for the 2018 or 2022 tournament.

The leader of the LDD party and a top socialist politician both questioned whether FIFA should be granted tax-free status during the World Cup and be allowed to impose marketing rules around stadiums. Several Belgian media joined in the criticism.

On Monday, a FIFA delegation starts a four-day tour through Belgium and the Netherlands to inspect stadiums and other World Cup infrastructure.

The Belgium-Netherlands bid team says organizing the World Cup will boost the credibility and produce a profit for each nation. Both Belgium and the Netherlands have caretaker governments at the moment that have previously backed the World Cup bid. It is unclear what the position of the new governments will be.

Some critics are unhappy with the all-powerful position of FIFA in staging the World Cup and its ability to make demands on organizers to accommodate the biggest single-sport event in the world.

"FIFA rules over the world and seems to have in every country privileges that are denied to others," said senator Bert Anciaux of the SP.A socialist party.

He said it should be unthinkable during the current economic crisis to give world football's governing body tax privileges.

Anciaux was joined by the LDD leader Jean-Marie De Decker in criticizing any possible taxation leeway. And he insisted that any government backing of the World Cup go through parliament first.

Nine candidates are seeking to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Beyond Belgium and the Netherlands, Europe also has bids from Spain-Portugal, Russia and England.

FIFA, which earns 95 per cent of its income from the World Cup, collected at least US$3.2 billion in television, marketing, licensing and hospitality deals from the 2007-10 South Africa World Cup cycle. The exact figures and profit will be revealed next March in the 2010 financial report.

It has budgeted for $3.8 billion for the 2011-14 World Cup cycle.

___

AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this article.

Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

it is the worst bid i have ever seen :ohno:

Stadiums are just awful :eek: amazing!!

I prefer england bid it's more serious! Benelux has to work better. Good for a euro championship not for a world cup

it is the worst bid i have ever seen :ohno:

Stadiums are just awful :eek: amazing!!

I prefer england bid it's more serious! Benelux has to work better. Good for a euro championship not for a world cup

The new stadiums of Antwerp, Brugge, Brussels and Liège haven't been presented yet. The pictures you see are not the definitive designs.

at this moment i still say it's the worst :(

no original design, even France, Turkey bid for euro 2016 are far better!

This bid is just a shame for european infrastructures in general and the image it gives to the world. Have you seen Brazil 2014?

Benelux should retire this candidature :ohno:

England bid is more serious i think. But it's just my personal view.

Axel, would you mind offering some specific qualifications for how you reached that opinion? I'd hate to think a large part of it stems from the overall low average of capacity compared to other bids, because at least that reflects expansions in line with the true use of the venue (and not some artificially inflated capacity as projected for venues in the English and Russian bids).

I agree that as of today it lacks the over-the-top venues to compete with the likes of Wembley or Soccer City, but we do have yet to see final considerations of a new De Kuip to consider, as well. But I think it deserves more credit than you're alluding. For instance, the Bernabau and Camp Nou, the marquis venue for the Iberian bid, are hardly architectural marvels. Great footballing venues but as an overall stadium they're both very staid. And if part of what makes the Bernabau so attractive is the organic feel from the expansions, should we not give the same credit to the proposals for Phillips Stadion and Abe Lenstra?

I do feel the remodeling of the athletics venue in Rotterdam is a waste of time and will be dropped from the bid, even if it does have a large capacity. Better a 40k true soccer stadium than a 60k venue with a track, in my opinion.

Anyway, I'm curious as to the reasoning because in my mind it's a very practical and clean bid, and would still be far more attractive than Italia '90 and doesn't include some of the lame duck venues we've seen in South Africa and Korea/Japan.

at this moment i still say it's the worst :(

no original design, even France, Turkey bid for euro 2016 are far better!

This bid is just a shame for european infrastructures in general and the image it gives to the world. Have you seen Brazil 2014?

Benelux should retire this candidature :ohno:

England bid is more serious i think. But it's just my personal view.

Can you READ?

The designs of the new stadiums are not yet known. :nuts:

Axel, would you mind offering some specific qualifications for how you reached that opinion? I'd hate to think a large part of it stems from the overall low average of capacity compared to other bids, because at least that reflects expansions in line with the true use of the venue (and not some artificially inflated capacity as projected for venues in the English and Russian bids).

I agree that as of today it lacks the over-the-top venues to compete with the likes of Wembley or Soccer City, but we do have yet to see final considerations of a new De Kuip to consider, as well. But I think it deserves more credit than you're alluding. For instance, the Bernabau and Camp Nou, the marquis venue for the Iberian bid, are hardly architectural marvels. Great footballing venues but as an overall stadium they're both very staid. And if part of what makes the Bernabau so attractive is the organic feel from the expansions, should we not give the same credit to the proposals for Phillips Stadion and Abe Lenstra?

I do feel the remodeling of the athletics venue in Rotterdam is a waste of time and will be dropped from the bid, even if it does have a large capacity. Better a 40k true soccer stadium than a 60k venue with a track, in my opinion.

Anyway, I'm curious as to the reasoning because in my mind it's a very practical and clean bid, and would still be far more attractive than Italia '90 and doesn't include some of the lame duck venues we've seen in South Africa and Korea/Japan.

Ok some projects are good but the general feeling is a very very limited inspiration for what is the BEST competition of the world aka FIFA WORLD CUP!

I don't understand why they bid if they are not able to reach SA 2010, GERmany 2006 or JApan Korea 2002!

That's why i said it's a shame for europe! I haven't seet yet what spain exactly want to do but for england with Wembley , we know that the level is high!

Then Benelux please retire this bid!

God Bless South africa or japan 2002 to have proposed a HIGH quality level of infrastructures.

^^
For most projects there are no designs made. Up to 5 will be completly new. All the others stadiums except for 1 will be expanded. In capacity we are not going to exceggerate. We are not going to build white elephants to get our WC football, or is that the only solution in your opinion to get a WC football in Holland and Belgium?

Most likely only 1 will have an athletic track (another one with an athletic track will be in reserve), that is less than 1998, 2002, 2006 or 2010. This give a better football atmosphere.

In stadium infrastructure England and the Iberian bid have far more to offer now than Holland and Belgium combined. Do we compare the bids, it is still a difference, however less than the case now. The cities in Holland and Belgium are connected well to each other, and will be connected better in the future. Not only by roads and trains, but also with dedicated bike lanes. The average distances between the stadiums and the cities are very low, which will be very interesting for the fans (who are all getting a free bike) that are following their teams.

Is the WC football nowadays only for big nations? Or is it only possible for smaller nations to get the WC by building white elephants?

^^
For most projects there are no designs made. Up to 5 will be completly new. All the others stadiums except for 1 will be expanded. In capacity we are not going to exceggerate. We are not going to build white elephants to get our WC football, or is that the only solution in your opinion to get a WC football in Holland and Belgium?

Most likely only 1 will have an athletic track (another one with an athletic track will be in reserve), that is less than 1998, 2002, 2006 or 2010. This give a better football atmosphere.

In stadium infrastructure England and the Iberian bid have far more to offer now than Holland and Belgium combined. Do we compare the bids, it is still a difference, however less than the case now. The cities in Holland and Belgium are connected well to each other, and will be connected better in the future. Not only by roads and trains, but also with dedicated bike lanes. The average distances between the stadiums and the cities are very low, which will be very interesting for the fans (who are all getting a free bike) that are following their teams.

Is the WC football nowadays only for big nations? Or is it only possible for smaller nations to get the WC by building white elephants?

Some very good points you make.Australia is also running a bid that is based on financial responsibility.We do of course have the money to build magnificent futuristic structures.

This mentality may explain our extremely good economic position-which hardly anyone else can boast

Are the proposed Belgian and Dutch grounds, as featured in this Siamese European bid, and subsequently the respective fan zones, equipped with advanced climate control to counter humidity in order to accommodate the invading Qatari hordes should they qualify for WC 2018 or 2022?

Is the WC football nowadays only for big nations? Or is it only possible for smaller nations to get the WC by building white elephants?


If those countries are not able to make the BEST stadiums for the BEST competition why do they bid??

It's not the problem to be a great or "small" nation but to realize that the WC is the "MUST to live" competition!!

If i can't receive a lot of people in an apart why will i make a big party?

If those countries are not able to make the BEST stadiums for the BEST competition why do they bid??

It's not the problem to be a great or "small" nation but to realize that the WC is the "MUST to live" competition!!

If i can't receive a lot of people in an apart why will i make a big party?

How old are you if I may ask?

If i can't receive a lot of people in an apart why will i make a big party?

All stadiums will meet the requirements the FIFA demands. With the new stadium in Rotterdam having at least 85.000 seats (a FIFA requirement which also for example Bernabeu or (at present) even Old trafford can not meet, it will be a fantastic stadium for sure. The rumors have it that the stadium will have between 87.500 - 95.000 seats if the WC is awarded to The Netherlands and Belgium. ;) Only camp Nou will for sure be bigger in europe, and maybe New wembley, but all other stadiums will come up short in comparison.

Also the new stadium in Brussels, Belgium will have at least 65.000 seats as will the Amsterdam ArenA have after its expansion. The 2nd stadium in South-Africa had 69.000 seats, so that is hardly a big difference.

And all the other stadiums will have the minimum requirement of 45.000 seats. Compared to SA or Germany overall the capacities are pretty much comparable. So I do not see what you are havings problems with.

And the small area where the WC will be held allows many fans to easily visit multiple games and will make sure, i.c.m. with the dense population in the Netherlands and Belgium that the WC atmosphere will be felt everywhere. Combines with many green initiatives this can be the greenest WC ever, not unimportant in these days. All in all this bid is a very good one, but maybe not the best (England?). But there is no reason at all to so easily disqualify this bid. It is also a lot better then what France had to offer in 1998, and also that was a fine WC tournament. ;)

If those countries are not able to make the BEST stadiums for the BEST competition why do they bid??

It's not the problem to be a great or "small" nation but to realize that the WC is the "MUST to live" competition!!

If i can't receive a lot of people in an apart why will i make a big party?

The worst venues in modern times was in France in 1998, but it was still a good World Cup

A world cup win will give it a boost, but how big a boost is questionable. Italy won the World Cup months before UEFA decided to overlook them in favour of Ukraine/Poland for Euro 2012. A team's success on the pitch may not have quite the impact some would hope.

I think Italy needs a tournament badly and a tournament to rejuvenate their country and its economy.. when was the last time they hosted one ? their stadiums are depleted. Only Juventus new stadium is the latest stadium developmental project I have heard of recently. San Siro is still the same old one.

I think Italy needs a tournament badly and a tournament to rejuvenate their country and its economy.. when was the last time they hosted one ? their stadiums are depleted. Only Juventus new stadium is the latest stadium developmental project I have heard of recently. San Siro is still the same old one.

Last WC was 1990 for Italy.
New stadiums are by far not always better stadiums, though it wouldn´t be bad in Italy to have some remake. I live in Spain, not Spanish, but here you have a lot of old stadiums which I would never traid against the far mayority of new stadiums, which just but all lake originality.

How old are you if I may ask?

don't be arrognat and offended! it's a debat if tou are not ok it's not my fault :ohno:

I think that the Holland and Belgium have the best chance.

England: Tried to bribe some FIFA-members.
Russia: Long distances.
USA: They had the World Championships already in 1994, bad atmosphere.
Spain/Portugal: Bad state finances, hot, the FIFA declared that they don't want a double candidature if one of those countries could do it by itself.

The only problem in the HollandBelgiumBid is the dissension in Belgium between Flanders and Wallonia.

Their stadiums:

Netherlands:
Rotterdam (new Feyenoord stadium) 80000-85000, finished 2017
Rotterdam (Feijenoord stadium) 52000
Amsterdam (Amsterdam Arena) expansed to 65000, probably to 70-80000
Amsterdam (Olympic Stadium) expansed to 40000-60000
Eindhoven (Philips Stadium) (not because of the World Cup, but previously) expansed to 44000
Enschede (Grolsch Veste) (not because of the World Cup, but previously) expansed to 45000
Heerenveen (Abe Lenstra Stadium) expansed to 45000

Belgium:
Brussel (Brussels Stadium) 60000-80000, finished 2016
Antwerpen (Port of Antwerp Stadium) expansed to 40000-45000, finished 2014
Brugge (Chartreusestadion) 40000, finished 2018
Gent (Arteveldestadion) expansed to 40000, finished 2012
Genk (Crystal Arena) (not because of the World Cup, but previously) expansed to 40000
Charleroi (Stade du Pays de Charleroi) 40000-45000, finished 2016
Luik (Stade Maurice Dufrasne) (not because of the World Cup, but previously) expansed to 40000-45000

^^ I am not sure where you are getting your data from, but most of the data is incorrect. I am not totally up to date with the stadiums and their planned expansions in Belgium, so I will refrain from commenting those. But I do know about the proposed Dutch stadiums for a possible WC in 2018 or 2022.

Now I do think we have put up a pretty good bid, which strongest point is very short distances between the cities and the stadiums, and many real football fans interested in visiting the WC matches are living closeby in the UK, Germany, France, Poland and the Scandinavian countries or Spain, Italy and Portugal are also not too far away. ;) And the stadiums are all very new and will be more or less as good as anyone else has to offer. And finally the infrastructure (roads, railways (incl. high speed rail) and airports) are all up to world class standards. :)

But to get back to your list:

Netherlands:

Rotterdam (New Feyenoord stadium) 80000-85000, finished 2017. Here the minimum capacity has to be 85.000, which is a clear FIFA requirement. Current figures (in the rumor section since nothing is confirmed yet) range from 87.500 - 95.000 if the WC indeed comes to Belgium and The Netherlands. If the WC does not come to Belgium and The Netherlands (for which the chances are < 50% imho), the new Feyenoord stadium will most probably be limited to 75.000 seats.

Rotterdam (current Feyenoord stadium) 52000. At present the stadium has 51.117 seats out of which a maximum 47.000 may be sold. For the FIFA WC new seats will be required, bringing the nominal capacity equal to the real number of seats. This capacity will therefore be 47.000 seats.

Amsterdam (Amsterdam Arena) expansed to 65000, probably to 70-80000. The Amsterdam ArenA will see an expansion to 65.000 seats. That will most likely also happen in a couple of years if the WC would not come to Belgium and The Negherlands. A further expansion is not realistic at the moment, and would only be done if Amsterdam would stage the final of the WC. In the Bidbook Rotterdam is mentioned as the only candidate for the WC Final. Beside that Ajax and the Amsterdam ArenA both have publicly stated that an 85.000 capacity is not what they are striving for at the moment or in the future.

Amsterdam (Olympic Stadium) expansed to 40000-60000. This is a possibility, where the 44.000 seat variant (also a FIFA requirement) is much more likely (and uglier :() then the 60.000 seats variant.

Eindhoven (Philips Stadium) (not because of the World Cup, but previously) expansed to 44.000. See here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1170703. These plans look very good imho and could maybe become reality without the WC. The stadium will then have 44.000-45.000 seats. But for now there is no money to finance the expansion, so it will not be done previously as you have stated. Unless something dramatic changes in the finances there.

Enschede (Grolsch Veste) (not because of the World Cup, but previously) expansed to 45.000. In Enschede they for sure will expand the Grolsch Veste to 32.000 seats (up from 24.500 now). The works will start in 2011. The last, and most expensive expansion (the one long and extra tall stand) is far from certain. Only the WC would give 100% assurance that also that stand will be build. See here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=50425553&postcount=817

Heerenveen (Abe Lenstra Stadium) expansed to 45000
That sounds about right although 44.000 might be the capacity. And the all stadiums are going to be expanded instead of being expansed. ;)

England: Tried to bribe some FIFA-members.
Russia: Long distances.
USA: They had the World Championships already in 1994, bad atmosphere.
Spain/Portugal: Bad state finances, hot, the FIFA declared that they don't want a double candidature if one of those countries could do it by itself.
Not truth :) . Typical mistake for those who even can't look at the map.

Not truth :) . Typical mistake for those who even can't look at the map.

It is true if you compare the Russian bid to the Benelux bid

I think that the Holland and Belgium have the best chance.

England: Tried to bribe some FIFA-members.
Russia: Long distances.
USA: They had the World Championships already in 1994, bad atmosphere.
Spain/Portugal: Bad state finances, hot, the FIFA declared that they don't want a double candidature if one of those countries could do it by itself.

The only problem in the HollandBelgiumBid is the dissension in Belgium between Flanders and Wallonia.
All the governments support the bid, so what's the problem?

All the governments support the bid, so what's the problem?

Maybe the political situation?

I think that the Holland and Belgium have the best chance.

England: Tried to bribe some FIFA-members.
Russia: Long distances.
USA: They had the World Championships already in 1994, bad atmosphere.
Spain/Portugal: Bad state finances, hot, the FIFA declared that they don't want a double candidature if one of those countries could do it by itself.

The only problem in the HollandBelgiumBid is the dissension in Belgium between Flanders and Wallonia.

very strong accusation that on england evidence?

very strong accusation that on england evidence?

Look at this: http://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=89664

I'm sorry that it's Dutch - English websites don't report about this scandal.

Many, many English websites reported this actually but it was getting on for a year ago and was already discussed at the time on this forum. It won't unduly harm England's bid and is a speck in the history of this bidding process now. It certainly doesn't harm England's bid to the extent where Holland/Belgium is now the favourite, despite your hopes to the contrary.

Furthmore, Warner is an idiot, a criminal and no person to be in such a powerful position at FIFA. Given that he, and his family,owe $750,000 in fines to FIFA after the last scandal they were involved in, I'd find it a bit rich being lectured by him on keeping families out of FIFA business and keeping everything above board.

The only scandal is that our bid, your bid, and every other world cup bid has to suck up to this horrible man because, despite being involved in three financial scandals at FIFA, he still has a vote on the executive committee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Warner_%28football_executive%29

I hope for Netherlands Belgium 2018 and Australia 2022.

when you see the actual belgian politic situation i think it is safe to say that this bid must be retired!

it's just scandalous to give to a non unified region such a spectacular event! Fifa must ban this bid!!! :rant:

Furthmore, Warner is an idiot, a criminal and no person to be in such a powerful position at FIFA. Given that he, and his family,owe $750,000 in fines to FIFA after the last scandal they were involved in, I'd find it a bit rich being lectured by him on keeping families out of FIFA business and keeping everything above board.

The only scandal is that our bid, your bid, and every other world cup bid has to suck up to this horrible man because, despite being involved in three financial scandals at FIFA, he still has a vote on the executive committee.

This is a bit off topic, but if the USA loses out on 2022, I'd bet it will have something to do with Warner and most people's disdain for him. Until he's out of there, North America may just be spinning their wheels on any bid.

The only scandal is that our bid, your bid, and every other world cup bid has to suck up to this horrible man because, despite being involved in three financial scandals at FIFA, he still has a vote on the executive committee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Warner_%28football_executive%29

I guess you are right about that. :(

The bid itself is still a very good one imho. But it is not the only very good bid out there. And the possible political developments in Belgium (and at present we in The Netherlands are also struggeling to form a new government) are not a big help to "our" bid.

But the FIFA is sometimes a very unpredictable organisation. So who knows with what kind of a surprise they will draw attention to them on December 2nd? :dunno: ;)

I certainly wouldn't be against a Dutch/Belgian world cup. I think if England fails to win it's the bid I'd like to see succeeding in our place. The whole bid has been carried off with such good humour and friendliness its hard not to warm to it. :)

I certainly wouldn't be against a Dutch/Belgian world cup. I think if England fails to win it's the bid I'd like to see succeeding in our place. The whole bid has been carried off with such good humour and friendliness its hard not to warm to it. :)

Yep-this bid would definitely organise a wonderful world cup

I can see white elephants in Qatar and dark horses in the Benelux. Are English and Russian dogs fighting over a bone?

There's sometyhing fishy about this bid.

:lol:

:lol:

Seriously though, on another analogy note; the sound of silence revolving around this allegedly non-controversial bid is almost deafening, hit by English and Russian ricochets.

you suggesting the Benelux bid may be pulling a "Steven Bradbury"?

:lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMa_R4yN4Ic&feature=related

you suggesting the Benelux bid may be pulling a "Steven Bradbury"?

Brilliant stuff.

Suggesting? Not really; amazed though about the non-controversy and non-hostilities surrounding the bid.

Come to Netherlands, get Goals!

http://d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport/20101024/25/cc994842aa6da165f608f96d01d3730e.jpg

Haha, today is the game PSV-Feyenoord played by us in the Netherlands.
Final score: 10-0!!!

Come to Netherlands, get Goals!

Goals galore will not put the Bene(lux) bid in jeopardy; the twisted language they speak will.

Embroiled Russian and English skirmishes aside, the Chocolate Clogs bid originating from Belgium and The Netherlands, staying clear of muddy waters and widely considered outsiders, recently produced the following excerpts at WorldFootballer Inside:

Holland-Belgium bid CEO Harry Been tells INSIDER that FIFA faces an historic choice over the future format of the World Cup on its Dec. 2 bid D-day.

Been says that his bid is a standard-bearer for 180 smaller member associations who would like to host the finals but would ordinarily be overlooked in favour of a great footballing, political or economic power.

He believes his joint bid is a credible alternative to this apparent status quo and that it would give hope to smaller nations. He says that FIFA should be flexible in its approach and take seriously joint bids.

“I think they should chose for the other 180 countries that might want a chance in the future,” Been told INSIDER.

“Of course they should go back to the bigger countries as well, we should sometimes have it in the bigger countries. But we should do two countries as well, two countries that are bordering each other. There are a lot of those in the world.”

Been says that at the heart of the Holland-Belgium argument is whether FIFA rotates between a series of the 20 or so-called established powers, or give hope to smaller countries. He suggested that some nations had already taken inspiration from the Holland-Belgium’s bid's lead.

“Uruguay could never organise a tournament like this any more,” he says.

“The only way they could do it is with Argentina. They’ve already announced they’re willing to do it [for 2030] and it would be in their interests if we could show the world that it’s not very difficult to organize a tournament if you have two countries that are next door to each other, speaking the same language.

“There are more countries that can do that. I told the Egyptians why don’t you get together with the other North African countries?”

Despite arguing that small is beautiful, Been says being part of the European Union means his joint bid is part of something much broader. He said that he didn’t feel FIFA inspection chairman Harold Mayne-Nicholls’ comments about Qatar’s size posing “logistical problems” in any way impacted his own bid’s case.

“Qatar is a separate country,” he said.

“We are part of the European Union, the complete, open European Union. We organize it within the frontiers of Holland-Belgium, but we actually organize it in the social and economic space of the European Union.

“What we’re focusing on is that we’re a compact bid. The area we organizing in is very small, but the area we are impacting is very big. It includes London, Paris, the Ruhr area. It is actually the part of the world that most people are living and in the centre of that is Holland and Belgium. The economic spin offs are huge.”

Apparently the Belgians and Dutch are tarnishing their bid with continental veneer, depicting scenes of an European footballing belly-butt.

“Nobody will notice if they pass from Germany to Holland-Belgium. We’re not small countries if you think of it like that.”

Apart from the redolent scent of cannabis and the distinct flavor of hallucinating mushrooms that is. One doesn't cross a border but one opens a smoke screen. White punks on dope.

:lol:

This bid has no chance at all. The Dutch government (and the Belgian as well I think) will not allow FIFA to rule their country with their absurd demands (FIFA demands to not having to pay any taxes among other things). This basically means that FIFA cannot make a huge profit here like they did in RSA (while the local population is starving) and will in Brazil and Russia or England.

Rumour has it that BeNe will do a Qatar by projecting sixteen semi-modular stadiums in Luxembourg and use Belgium and The Netherlands to improve infrastructure etc.

After 2018 the stadiums will be dismantled, only to be re-erected in third world football countries such as Qatar as part of a global developing scheme.

@Quintana

Well it was eventually not about taxes, but about not giving immunity to the FIFA members and basic rules for larbor. The demands of the FIFA are also in conflict with some EU regulations and treaties. A big chance that the England and Spain/Portugal bid have the same things/problems, but not in the big news. Normally these things are not made public in advance.

And these didn't affect Germany 2006?

Rumour has it that BeNe will do a Qatar by projecting sixteen semi-modular stadiums in Luxembourg and use Belgium and The Netherlands to improve infrastructure etc.

After 2018 the stadiums will be dismantled, only to be re-erected in third world football countries such as Qatar as part of a global developing scheme.

lolol

Excerpt, originating from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9196434.stm


The only bidder for 2018 rated with a higher risk evaluation is the joint bid from Netherlands and Belgium, which is given a medium risk assessment.

The Low Countries bid is criticised over hotel rooms, the joint hosting concept, training sites and team hotels, with government guarantees a major concern.

"The necessary government support has not been secured as neither the government guarantees nor the government declaration have been provided in compliance with Fifa's requirements."

Not surprising really the Chocolate Clog bid being marked 'higher risk' when common sense and sanity surpass temporary Swiss colonialism.

Almost embarrassing to see other bidding nations bowing to FIFA's 'requirements'. Selling soul to devil.

Meanwhile, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called FIFA Chairman Sepp Blatter concerning the 2018 Chocolate Clog bid, Twitter announces.

Allegedly, Mr Rutte told Mr Blatter that:

“The Netherlands and Belgium are extremely motivated, and capable of organising a fantastic World Cup”.

Licking balls. Blatter. Jesus in disguise.

The Holland & Belgium bid’s co-hosting concept highlights the opportunity to bring countries and people together through sport and addresses environmental matters. The bid is supported by the national and local football authorities, the local city governments (by virtue of duly executed Host City Agreements) and the stadium authorities (by virtue of duly executed Stadium Agreements).

It should be noted that a co-hosting concept could pose challenges regarding the joint operational delivery of the FIFA World Cup™ in terms of ensuring consistent standards and implementation in various areas such as legal, IT, frequencies, safety and security. Therefore, in order to provide a more complete basis for evaluation of the co-hosting concept, further key operational details would be required, especially in view of the administrative, logistical and financial challenges of co-hosting a FIFA World Cup™.

The joint bid proposes 12 Host Cities and 14 stadiums, thus exceeding FIFA’s minimum requirement. Six of the 14 stadiums already exist and would be renovated, seven would be built, and one is ready for use. A stadium construction and renovation budget of approximately USD 2.43 billion has been projected.

In terms of football development, the Bidder has submitted a plan to establish a “World Coaches” programme which ties in with the Football for Hope movement. Through the initiative, over 6,042 coaches would be trained and ten specialised academies would be established worldwide by 2018. In addition, other
development activities are covered, such as the building of “Open Football Clubs”. Both Belgium and the Netherlands have recorded various successes at club and international level. They also have experience of hosting a major international football event in the last 20 years, having co-hosted UEFA EURO 2000.

The Bidder has not contracted the required number of venue-specific training sites (VSTS) or venue-specific team hotels (VSTH). It has also not contracted the required number of team base camp (TBC) training sites. FIFA’s team facility requirements could potentially be met, but the information provided was not sufficiently complete to enable a full evaluation. In terms of accommodation, 28,000 rooms have already been contracted, thus falling short of FIFA’s minimum requirement of 60,000. Accordingly, there is a risk of excessive prices and non-negotiable conditions. However, some gaps in accommodation could potentially be compensated through the central geographic location of Belgium and the Netherlands and their efficient transportation systems. As for the FIFA headquarters, it should be noted that the proposed hotels are not situated in the candidate Host Cities for the opening match and final. Furthermore, the rate for a standard room in both proposed hotels is high and should be reviewed.

The Netherlands and Belgium have well developed transport infrastructures, with extensive road and rail networks and access to international airports at home and in neighbouring countries. The traffic-reduction measures proposed are essential to increase capacity and facilitate event transport operations during peak times.

The countries also have strong information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructures, and it appears as though FIFA’s requirements would be met. International standards for major event safety and security and for health and medical services are likely to be met.
The Bidder has submitted its concepts for sustainable social and human development and environmental protection initiatives.

The Bidder has also submitted its proposals for the competition-related event venues. Marketing, media and communication matters have also been addressed. The information provided in the Bid Book suggests that the major event and football sponsorship market in Belgium and the Netherlands is developed. However, the Government Guarantee No. 6 (Protection and Exploitation of Commercial Rights) submitted by both countries contains no guarantees, undertakings or confirmations with legal effect beyond existing laws, and important aspects are superseded by Government Guarantee No. 8 (Legal Issues and Indemnification). On this basis, FIFA’s rights protection programme cannot be ensured in either country. Belgium’s listed-event legislation adversely affects the free exploitation of media rights in Belgium and would have to be reviewed. Should the FIFA World Cup™ be hosted in Europe, the TV ratings in Europe and the European media rights income are likely to be secured.

The Bidder has submitted expenditure budgets of USD 541.6 million (current) for a FIFA Confederations Cup and FIFA World Cup™ in 2017 and 2018 and USD 552.8 million (current) for the same events in 2021 and 2022. The budgets have been submitted in the format required with limited supporting information. A projection of approximately 3,304,000 sellable tickets has been made.

If Holland & Belgium are awarded the hosting rights, FIFA’s legal risk appears to be medium. Whilst the requirements for contractual documents have been largely met, the necessary government support has not been secured as neither the Government Guarantees nor the Government Declaration have been provided in compliance with FIFA’s requirements for government documents. Nevertheless, the governments of both countries have experience in supporting the hosting and staging of a major sports event and have proven their willingness to make material concessions and accommodate the concerns of event organisers.

Appearing on www.mrsportsbook.com

The evaluation report:

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/33/74/51/b4ned-bele.pdf

Eindhoven, 26 November 2010 – Johan Cruyff, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Guus Hiddink, Paul van Himst and both prime ministers Yves Leterme and Mark Rutte are just a few of the members of the delegation who under the direction of Ruud Gullit, President of The HollandBelgium Bid, will bolster Belgium and the Netherlands’ Bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ at the Final Presentation to FIFA in Zürich on Thursday 2 December.

The HollandBelgium Bid announced this today. “We have put together a very strong team in which footballers and world renowned coaches take the lead and have the support of the highest government officials and football association directors. This is the only right formation for a FIFA World Cup™ candidate,” according to Harry Been, CEO of The Holland Belgium Bid.

The HollandBelgium Bid team will be the first country to make its 2018 FIFA World Cup™ bid presentation on Thursday 2 December at 09.00. The thirty minute presentation will be made to the members of the FIFA Executive Committee. The HollandBelgium Bid is followed by England, Spain/Portugal and Russia. A day earlier, on Wednesday 1 December, it is the turn of the five candidates for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.

The HollandBelgium Bid delegation comprises forty people and is a mix of top footballers, coaches, government officials, football association directors and Bid partners. Apart from Gullit, Cruijff, Pfaff, Hiddink and Van Himst ex-internationals Aron Winter, Gilles de Bilde, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Christian Karembeu are also on the team, as well as national coaches Georges Leekens and Bert van Marwijk.

In addition to Prime minister Leterme, the Belgian government is represented by Vice Prime minister Didier Reynders, Minister of Sport André Antoine and the Prime minister of the French Community Rudy Demotte. Prime Minister Rutte will have Minister of Sport Edith Schippers on his side.

The HollandBelgium Bid board is also represented of course, under the direction of Co-Chairmen François de Keersmaecker (KBVB) and Michael van Praag (KNVB) and Harry Been, CEO of The HollandBelgium Bid.

The official partners of The HollandBelgium Bid are represented by their board members.

Source: thebid.org


Almost embarrassing; such is the level of sycophantic subjugation.

This is just unbelievable. While our government is cutting back on funding for education and culture and what money is left is going to stop the economies of the PIIGS countries (the fact that it seems like the WC is going to Portugal and Spain is preposterous in this light) from collapsing, Mark Rutte is all too eager to go to the Zurich to suck up to Blatter so we can get the "right" to renovate stadiums throughout the country, suspend labor and advertising rules and exempt the FIFA from taxes so Blatter and his corrupt pals can become even richer.

A World Cup in the Benelux would be great, our countries have never hosted the World Cup in the past, we have a great footballing (both in the game itself and in supporting) tradition, and we are economically and politically stable. But we aren't going to whore ourselves out to the FIFA, and we don't have a national inferiority complex which makes us compensate for everything and become overtly nationalistic.

^^

Sports in general, football more specifically, their magnitude superseding politics. FIFA are the new colonializing world order.

I wouln't be surprised to see the creation of a break-away federation from the ruling maffia party once the World Cup has been handed to developing countries such as Russia and Qatar in a fraudulous masquerade on Doomsday 2 December 2010.

No chances for benelux sorry! Quatar and russia are very strong with Galactics projects! no way for belgium to compete with them!

I think for a next euro perhaps

Actually our chances are rising bringing the fans in play. And this is what the WC is about, not the money not the power promoting Football nothing else counts.

Holland/Belgium brings a brass band to the party in Zurich.
http://plixi.com/p/60125017

Budgets cuts during the crissis is just temperally this WC is just 8 years away a lot happens in 8 years. And if we can lend money to Ireland and soon to Portugal i think we have enough money to build and organish this event.

If all noses are pointed the same direction the Dutch and their friendly counterparts Belgium can do a lot.

I hope the scores are decent otherwise the phrase corruption is going to be very loud indeed. So a second vote round is a must with a close ends between the candidates.

Belgium is not unified. We don't want a world cup in a country where inhabitants don't even know what belgium is.

Well what Belgium is, doesn't matter. You can taste 300 different beers in Belgium. So you can try 10 different beers/day. You will easily forget what Belgium is.

Spain is also unified with catalonia and 'el pais vasco'.

Of What about Russia and the 'chechens'.

Of what about Britain with scotland, wales, northern, ireland,...

Belgium doesn' exist as much as other countries doesn't. It isn't about states, but about a football culture.

Well what Belgium is, doesn't matter. You can taste 300 different beers in Belgium. So you can try 10 different beers/day. You will easily forget what Belgium is.

Spain is also unified with catalonia and 'el pais vasco'.

Of What about Russia and the 'chechens'.

Of what about Britain with scotland, wales, northern, ireland,...

Belgium doesn' exist as much as other countries doesn't. It isn't about states, but about a football culture.

:lol:

By the way, Scotland, Wales and N Ireland are irrelevant to your post - because they are not part of England's bid!

Belgium is not unified. We don't want a world cup in a country where inhabitants don't even know what belgium is.

You mean you don't want the world cup in Belgium. Too bad the Netherlands AND Belgium are bidding together and we can organize something like a WC. We live and breath football as in both countries football is the numero one sport.

And no Russia is a good country too but the distance is really huge which breaks the atmosphere. If we don't get the WC i rather grant the WC to England which have the same idea as we.

But i don't liked it when the FIFA are playing countires against each other as they ask England to join the bidding. You know that England has a big advantage because if this.

Hmm...

Don't worry!!

Hope Belgium and the Netherlands will win on tomorrow!! i guess...

If lost, nothing and stop cry!! Would...Fifa world cup forever..!!

2026
2030
2034
2038
2042
2046
2050
more....more...!!

:):):)

Belgium is not unified. We don't want a world cup in a country where inhabitants don't even know what belgium is.

Ah, the boy doesn't like Belgium to host and adresses the matter plural sense with a olid, sound, valid, reasonable, legitimate and convincing argument.

Apparently little things please little minds.

By the way, Scotland, Wales and N Ireland are irrelevant to your post - because they are not part of England's bid!


England is indeed not a state. Thus why worry about a possible 'non unified' Belgium.

If they call the bid: Flanders/Brussels/wallonia/Holland-Bid it's also ok.

If they call the bid: Flanders/Brussels/wallonia/Holland-Bid it's also ok.

Please leave it and stop feeding this insignificant immature Lille troll.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the presentation tomorrow.

Did you like the brass band reception at the start of the day? That was a good call to attract some attention about the important things. (that i think)

Please leave it and stop feeding this insignificant immature Lille troll.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the presentation tomorrow.

I'm not trolling and just ask important question! :rant:

I live in lille and i know the political situation of our neighbour state called belgium.

Every two or three month we see here in france reports concerning the wishes of flamish separatists! Do i invent that? :ohno:

that's why i don't understand belgium want to bid despite the fact the politcal situation turns often into a tragedy!

Is it a crime to worry about the good organisation by belgium wheras we know instabilty is prevalent?!!

is it trolling to ask that? :nuts:

We know that some flamish region have banned french language! Can you believe just one second it is serious to give a organisation like the world cup to people who don't want french to be used?

please answer to this problem rather than treat me a troll.

I'm not trolling and just ask important question! :rant:

I live in lille and i know the political situation of our neighbour state called belgium.

Every two or three month we see here in france reports concerning the wishes of flamish separatists! Do i invent that? :ohno:

that's why i don't understand belgium want to bid despite the fact the politcal situation turns often into a tragedy!

Is it a crime to worry about the good organisation by belgium wheras we know instabilty is prevalent?!!

is it trolling to ask that? :nuts:

We know that some flamish region have banned french language! Can you believe just one second it is serious to give a organisation like the world cup to people who don't want french to be used?

please answer to this problem rather than treat me a troll.

French isn't banned anywhere in Belgium. I know that some schools want Dutch to be spoken in the schoolyard, but I can see why. Saying French is banned is a ridiculous statement. Besides, Flemish kids start learning French at the age of 9. Pretty odd for "people who don't want french to be used".

And seeing you are using the argument "I'm from Lille", I will use the argument "I'm from Belgium".

I'm not trolling and just ask important question! :rant:

I live in lille and i know the political situation of our neighbour state called belgium.

Every two or three month we see here in france reports concerning the wishes of flamish separatists! Do i invent that? :ohno:

that's why i don't understand belgium want to bid despite the fact the politcal situation turns often into a tragedy!

Is it a crime to worry about the good organisation by belgium wheras we know instabilty is prevalent?!!

is it trolling to ask that? :nuts:

We know that some flamish region have banned french language! Can you believe just one second it is serious to give a organisation like the world cup to people who don't want french to be used?

please answer to this problem rather than treat me a troll.

Flemish separatists are a minority. You're French and therefore read only one side of the story. It's about money, plain and simple. The Flemish want to stop handing out blank cheques. Walloons aren't happy about that. We have no problem paying for people in need, but I think we have a right to have some say in how that money is being spent. I think we have a right to demand that the money we're paying is being spent wisely and not just handed out freely in other to win easy votes for politicians.
Right now there's zero financial incentive for the regions to improve their stats on unemployment. Quite the contrary. So why would a region spend money trying to improve the situation? The money is federal tax money (predominantly paid for by Flemings), but it's the regions who decide who deserves to get it. If there are more people unemployed, they get more money. Until this changes, unemployment in Wallonia will remain sky high.
Wallonia's been getting incredible amounts of money from Flanders, from Europe, for decades. Seriously, the situation should have improved long ago had the money been spent wisely, had they used it to invest rather than simply hand it all out (or put it in their own pockets).

And French isn't banned. But is it really too much to ask that people who live in Flemish towns learn the language? Apparently it is for a lot of Walloons. How would you feel if I moved to France and demanded that the French authorities provided all the paperwork for me in Dutch?
Flemish school kids all learn French in school (and English too + German in a lot of cases). The opposite isn't the case. Walloon children have to choose between Dutch or English, can't learn both. You'd think that if Wallonia thinks so highly of the country Belgium, they'd at least bother to teach the language 60% of Belgians speak in schools. Not so.

This country is not going to fall apart. A lot of the Flemish demands would actually result in an improvement for Wallonia too in the long run. It would force them to work more efficiently. It would force them to do something about their high unemployment rate.
The majority of Flemings doesn't want separation, we do want a more efficient government and for that major reforms are necessary.

And you know what..I think a World Cup football would do a world of good to bring the two regions together. That's what we lack right now. There doesn't seem to be anything we have in common. We watch different TV shows, listen to different kinds of music. We need a common project.

And you know what..I think a World Cup football would do a world of good to bring the two regions together. That's what we lack right now. There doesn't seem to be anything we have in common. We watch different TV shows, listen to different kinds of music. We need a common project.

Well said from a perspective point of view.

The myopic trolling boy from Lille has an agenda. Ignore him.

Flemish separatists are a minority. You're French and therefore read only one side of the story. It's about money, plain and simple. The Flemish want to stop handing out blank cheques. Walloons aren't happy about that. We have no problem paying for people in need, but I think we have a right to have some say in how that money is being spent. I think we have a right to demand that the money we're paying is being spent wisely and not just handed out freely in other to win easy votes for politicians.
Right now there's zero financial incentive for the regions to improve their stats on unemployment. Quite the contrary. So why would a region spend money trying to improve the situation? The money is federal tax money (predominantly paid for by Flemings), but it's the regions who decide who deserves to get it. If there are more people unemployed, they get more money. Until this changes, unemployment in Wallonia will remain sky high.
Wallonia's been getting incredible amounts of money from Flanders, from Europe, for decades. Seriously, the situation should have improved long ago had the money been spent wisely, had they used it to invest rather than simply hand it all out (or put it in their own pockets).

And French isn't banned. But is it really too much to ask that people who live in Flemish towns learn the language? Apparently it is for a lot of Walloons. How you feel if I moved to France and demanded that the French authorities provided all the paperwork for me in Dutch?

Everyone pays taxes in Belgium, but hearing Flemish propaganda, it seems like only Flemish are paying and only Wallonia is receiving. This is petit-bourgeois populism. True, Wallonia has to cope with a post-industrial past much like northern France/England AND is not really well managed and too much un-nationalistic (or regionalistic) which means that the region is proletarizing.

Tell me which Flemish town is overrun with "walloons', and don't mention people from Brussels and the periphery, they are not "Walloons". Second, those "invading" Brusselers are actually the richest and most contribuable Belgians, so mixing it up with the rethoric that "they invade us and want our money" is mixing two unrelated things up for the sake of manipulation. The "problem" is that french-speaking Brussels; like Paris or London, is growing.

Second, so-called "Walloons" going to Flanders (there are very few) are actually Belgians going around in their supposed own country which is not the case if you as a Belgian goes to France.

It's funny how all the flemish scaremongers about paranoid "Walloon invasion" lives all in Ghent or Antwerp, cities where French-speaking people are actually very few and where Flemish people actually don't interact with "Walloons"... "Walloons" being some kind of abstract concept that represents everything that goes wrong in Flanders.

i just give you an example:

Lille 3000XXL in 2009 a cultural event hosted every 3 years here! The city decided to co organised the final ceremony in a french -belgian partnership!

The final ceremony was in Kortrikj or Courtrai in french. We have been there with my girlfriend .

Guess what? No inscription in french, no indications in french in the whole town despite the fact it was a fench city original event :ohno:

never seen this anywhere.

It's funny how all the flemish scaremongers about paranoid "Walloon invasion" lives all in Ghent or Antwerp, .

Heh? What makes you think we're paranoid about Walloon invasion? Where does that come from? Is this what's written in Walloon press?
It would be great if more Walloons came here for work.

I wish this bid well,it would truly be a great world cup
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/189197863_ac230e6c71.jpg?v=0
http://www.slanchreport.com/images/stories/dutch-fan-003.jpg
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:9KFtuZfTvfayPM:http://worldcupfifa2000.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/holland-fans-3.jpg?w=600&h=381&t=1
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4666247881_056c99ba27_z.jpg
http://sportige.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Dutch-fan.jpg
http://img.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/3082158/2010/07/2010-07-05-15-32-41-2-beautiful-female-fans-of-netherlands-national-foo.jpeg

We all appreciate busty girls but it doesn't work so well when in an orange tank top while sporting orange tan. Look like overgrown oompa loompas'.

I'm so so judgemental:lol:

:lol:

That helicopter thing was a bit bizarre :lol:

That said, this would be my favorite for the World Cup. The booze, the girls, the parties, biking to the games...FANTASTIC!! :cheers:

I read on the site of a dutch newpaper that according to a annomynos(or somtheing like that) source in the holland-Belgium bid, that they expect that they will get the vote of Blatter and Platini.
Don't think that will happen , but we will see.

Platini will vote for us.

I think blatter will vote for Russia.

I really like the Belgium-Holland bid.
Very refreshing IMHO !

I also liked the presentation.

I really like the Belgium-Holland bid.
Very refreshing IMHO !

Good bid.

Poor presentation, though, sadly.

^^ The presentation wasn't bad IMHO, I believe they tried to make something different, but I also have to admit indeed that the result was a bit messy unfortunately.

Well the presentation wasn't that bad. You don't have to repeat all the good points in your bid. The fifa members already know that. It was a presentation with a bit of humor. Not an ordinary Powerpoint presentation.

Nevertheless i don't think that a presentation could change the opinions. The Fifa members already made up their minds I think.
If they don't get the WC, it's not due to the presentation.

Well the presentation wasn't that bad. You don't have to repeat all the good points in your bid. The fifa members already know that. It was a presentation with a bit of humor. Not an ordinary Powerpoint presentation.

Nevertheless i don't think that a presentation could change the opinions. The Fifa members already made up their minds I think.
If they don't get the WC, it's not due to the presentation.

I don't think that a below par presentation would hurt any bid's chances.

But a seriously impressive and emotive presentation could definitely help their chances - eg London 2012 bid final presentation in Singapore.

I think that al the votes for the first round are already decided by the members.
The presentations might have some influence in next rounds, when there are less bids to chose from.

i just give you an example:

Lille 3000XXL in 2009 a cultural event hosted every 3 years here! The city decided to co organised the final ceremony in a french -belgian partnership!

The final ceremony was in Kortrikj or Courtrai in french. We have been there with my girlfriend .

Guess what? No inscription in french, no indications in french in the whole town despite the fact it was a fench city original event :ohno:

never seen this anywhere.

http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/41540/dont-feed-the-troll.jpg

Everyone pays taxes in Belgium, but hearing Flemish propaganda, it seems like only Flemish are paying and only Wallonia is receiving. This is petit-bourgeois populism. True, Wallonia has to cope with a post-industrial past much like northern France/England AND is not really well managed and too much un-nationalistic (or regionalistic) which means that the region is proletarizing.

Tell me which Flemish town is overrun with "walloons', and don't mention people from Brussels and the periphery, they are not "Walloons". Second, those "invading" Brusselers are actually the richest and most contribuable Belgians, so mixing it up with the rethoric that "they invade us and want our money" is mixing two unrelated things up for the sake of manipulation. The "problem" is that french-speaking Brussels; like Paris or London, is growing.

Second, so-called "Walloons" going to Flanders (there are very few) are actually Belgians going around in their supposed own country which is not the case if you as a Belgian goes to France.

It's funny how all the flemish scaremongers about paranoid "Walloon invasion" lives all in Ghent or Antwerp, cities where French-speaking people are actually very few and where Flemish people actually don't interact with "Walloons"... "Walloons" being some kind of abstract concept that represents everything that goes wrong in Flanders.

You shoud really, really watch the video of the speech of Bart De Wever for the Walloon businesspeople of 'Cercle de Wallonie'. At the end, he even gets a standing ovation! Every single Belgian should listen to this speech: http://blogs.rtlinfo.be/sanslanguedebois/2010/11/30/discours-de-bart-de-wever-cercle-de-wallonie-30112010/

The questions after his speech are also incredibly interesting.

// now back on-topic :)

No chances for benelux sorry! Quatar and russia are very strong with Galactics projects!



:cheers: i told it!

^^
Fijn voor jou.