Sport and Culture; Why the Dutch Never Make it to the Finals

Sport and Culture; Why the Dutch Never Make It to the Finals

I want to explain the main cultural (!) reason why the Dutch never make it to the finals or the end game. In other words, sport and culture.

In this article, I will use a football match between the Japanese and Dutch teams of women under 20 years old (result 2-0 for the Japanese).

There is more to football than only culture. I know. Nonetheless, the focus here is on the cultural difference between the Japanese and the Dutch that will explain, at least for some part, why the Dutch never make it to the finals when it comes to football.

The main cultural dimension I will use to do this is goal orientation versus process orientation (for more information on these dimensions, click here).

Sport and culture: the context of the game

September, 2024. I was in Cali watching a football game between the Dutch and Japanese women under 20. The Dutch lost 2 to 0—personal opinion: the Dutch played appalling. I’m not a football commentator so I won’t comment any further.

However, it made me think. The Dutch football teams are (still) considered to be very good around the globe. They hardly ever walk away with the final cup in hand. When push comes to shove, they hardly win a game further in a tournament. What is missing? Urgency? Competition spirit? Team-work? All of the above?

Sport and Culture Explained

Using the primary dimension Goal Orientation versus Process Orientation can help shed light on the cultural differences in attitudes toward competition and success in countries like Japan and the Netherlands. This dimension contrasts cultures that value competitiveness, achievement, and success (Goal Oriented cultures) with those that prioritize cooperation, quality of life, and caring for others (Process Oriented cultures).

Goal Oriented cultures (Japan)

– Japan ranks highest on the Goal-oriented dimension. This means the culture places a strong emphasis on competition, success, and achievement. In sports and other competitive environments, this often translates to an intense desire to win, with a focus on individual and team success. Winning is seen as a primary goal, and there is often a greater drive to push boundaries, work hard, and aim for victory.

– Japanese football players are likely to show strong competitive behavior in matches like football and other games. Winning is highly valued and linked to personal and national pride. The team dynamic in Japan may reflect a “never-give-up” attitude, in line with the culture’s emphasis on success, dedication, and high performance.

Process orientation (the Netherlands)

– The Netherlands, on the other hand, ranks relatively low on the Goal-oriented dimension and is therefore a more Process-oriented society. Dutch culture places greater importance on equality, cooperation, and the so-called quality of life. In this context, competition is less about winning at all costs and more about participation, enjoyment, and playing fairly.

– For the Dutch, football matches may be viewed less as fierce competitions and more as opportunities for teamwork and collaboration. Rather than focusing exclusively on winning, they may prioritize a balanced effort, sportsmanship, and shared goals (not literally with the competition!). This can result in a less aggressive or intense competitive spirit. Particularly when they’re up against countries like Japan, where the culture is more driven by the need to win and score goals.

The Impact on Football Matches

In a football match between Japan and the Netherlands, Japan’s high goal-orientation score means the players might approach the game with more intensity and a stronger focus on winning. The Netherlands, being more process-oriented, might approach the game with a more collaborative mindset. Focusing on enjoyment, teamwork, and fair play over sheer competitiveness. This difference in cultural values can lead to situations where Dutch teams may not be as “aggressive” or driven to win in high-stakes competitions. This is compared to more goal-oriented cultures like Japan.

Does this mean that the Dutch can never win a game? No, it suggests merely that the cultural emphasis on cooperation over competition might reduce the urgency or intensity in highly competitive situations like football matches, where aggression and the desire to win often play key roles.

What Could the Dutch Do?

1. Adapt more Competitive Mindsets: Without losing their core values of cooperation and fairness, Dutch teams could put a stronger emphasis on competitiveness in sports like football. This might include developing mental resilience, working on a more intense drive to win, and encouraging individual players to push harder to win while maintaining the team’s collaborative spirit.

2. Integrate Tactical Aggression: Incorporating more assertive and strategic play into their football training could help balance their cooperative nature with a stronger will to win. Coaches might emphasize mental toughness, goal-oriented strategies, and assertive decision-making in critical game moments.

3. Cultural Awareness and Balance: The Dutch can maintain their focus on “quality of life” and teamwork but balance it with a mindset that understands the importance of competitiveness in high-performance sports. This would involve recognizing that competition is not inherently negative, but part of excelling at a global level.

4. Strengthen Individual Accountability: While teamwork is important, Dutch teams could benefit from fostering a stronger sense of individual accountability for winning. This would encourage each player to take more personal responsibility in driving the team toward winning the match (and the cup), enhancing overall performance.

In Summary

By balancing their cultural values with a more competitive edge in sports like football, the Dutch could improve their chances in matches where winning is critical without sacrificing their emphasis on teamwork and cooperation.

Conclusion of the Analysis

The Dutch cultural emphasis on cooperation, equality, and quality of life, which aligns with the process-orientation dimension, might result in a less intense focus on winning in competitive environments like football. In contrast, Japan, with its more goal-oriented traits, places a stronger emphasis on achievement and success, which can translate into a greater drive to win.

While the Dutch approach encourages teamwork, fair play, and a balanced perspective on sports, it might sometimes lack the aggressive competitiveness needed to win in high-stakes situations. This cultural difference can be a reason why Dutch teams may occasionally underperform in tuations where winning is paramount.

Sport and Culture. Will the KNVB do something with this?*

I think they should and I will send this article to them as well. Keep an eye on the Dutch games…!

Sport and Culture on Culture Matters

*The KNVB is the Dutch football association.