Netherlands
Friday, 06 Jun 2008 00:00
Orange features very highly in Dutch fans' attire
The Netherlands finished runners-up in qualifying group G, three points behind Romania and only one point ahead of Bulgaria. Their reward for making it through to Austria and Switzerland this summer is the unenviable prospect of playing both Italy and France in the group of death.
Group C fixtures
Netherlands v Italy
Berne, June 9th 19:45 BST
Live on ITV
Netherlands v France
Berne, June 13th 19:45 BST
Live on BBC
Netherlands v Romania
Berne, June 17th 19:45 BST
Live on BBC
European Championship history
The Netherlands have won the European Championship once before in 1988. The Dutch team beat the Soviet Union in the final that year thanks to goals from Ruud Gullit and current coach Marco van Basten.
In Euro 2004, they came unstuck in the semi-finals against host nation Portugal, losing 2-1 after beating Sweden on penalties in the quarters.
The man in charge
Marco van Basten replaced Dick Advocaat as the Dutch coach after Euro 2004. Prior to taking over the national squad, Van Basten's only coaching experience was with the Ajax youth team.
Any criticism of the inexperienced coach though was soon forgotten when the Dutch team went 15 games unbeaten upon him taking charge.
In the 2006 World Cup, Van Basten guided the national team to the second round only to be defeated again by Portugal in an unbelievably bad tempered game. Costinha, Deco, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Khalid Boulahrouz were all sent off during the game as Portugal progressed to play England in quarters.
Team forte
Holland's strike force is formidable with household names such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink all selected in the Dutch squad. They are also joined by premiership stars Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt. Lead by a coach who in his heyday was lethal in front of goal, you can guarantee the Netherlands will be playing some seriously "sexy football" this summer.
Achilles heel
The Dutch may miss the pace and exuberance of Liverpool's Ryan Babel who has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Also their first choice goal keeper, Edwin van der Saar, is no spring chicken and despite his heroics in the Champions League final for Manchester United, he is beginning to show his age. The United number one may become a liability in the later stages of the tournament when the Netherlands' relatively inexperienced defence need him most.
Player to watch
Van Nisterlooy has been on fire for his club Real Madrid over the last two seasons and his natural poaching skills may well propel the Dutch into the latter stages of the tournament. The striker, however, was in danger of missing the tournament after falling out with Van Basten in the aftermath of the last World Cup. You feel he may well have a point to prove this time round.
Chances of victory
The Dutch have reached the semi-finals in the last two European championships but to achieve that feat again this summer they face a very difficult task. Selected in the hardest group of tournament they must first get past heavyweights France and Italy. If they progress through the group stages, they will most probably come up against Russia and then face Spain, France or Italy again in the semis.
It would be a hard task to get through such a tough draw, but if they make it to the quarters, you would fancy them to go all the way this time round.
Squad
Goalkeepers
1 Edwin van der Sar
13 Henk Timmer
16 Maarten Stekelenburg
Defenders
2 Andre Ooijer
3 Johnny Heitinga
4 Joris Mathijsen
5 Giovanni van Bronckhorst
12 Mario Melchiot
14 Wilfred Bouma
15 Tim de Cler
21 Khalid Boulahrouz
Midfielders
6 Demy de Zeeuw
8 Orlando Engelaar
10 Wesley Sneijder
11 Arjen Robben
17 Nigel de Jong
20 Ibrahim Afellay
23 Rafael van der Vaart
Forwards
7 Robin van Persie
9 Ruud van Nistelrooy
18 Dirk Kuyt
19 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
22 Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink