Euro 2012 Group B: Netherlands
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GROUP B
Denmark Germany Portugal Netherlands
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Netherlands
Road to Poland & Ukraine
The Netherlands cruised to Euro 2012 with nine straight wins in Qualifying Group E, before going down 3-2 in their final match in Stockholm. Sweden finished second with Hungary, Finland, Moldova and San Marino trailing in the orange wake.
Their 2010 World Cup hangover where they lost in the final to Spain in South Africa saw the Dutch begin with three workmanlike wins before hitting their stride with a stunning 4-1 defeat of Sweden.
Fixtures
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Netherlands Kit 1
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Netherlands Kit 2
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Netherlands v Denmark 9 June; Kharkiv
Netherlands v Germany 13 June; Kharkiv
Netherlands v Portugal; 17 June; Kharkiv
Analysis
The Dutch's ugly display in the 2010 World Cup Final when they took fright and tried to kick a more talented Spanish side is now behind them.
It should not be forgotten the Netherlands played outstanding football in the run-up to that game and have carried on where they left off in qualifying for Euro 2012. Beware tipping Oranje for glory however. Four years ago they steamrolled through their group before a shock exit to a Guus Hiddink-led Russia in the quarter-finals.
Holland have a panoply of attacking options as usual with goal-machine Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt and Robin Van Persie likely to find the net in Ukraine, but their muscular midfield got it wrong against Spain in South Africa, while the back four was sliced apart by Germany in their most recent friendly.
Key player: Wesley Sneijder
The 27-year-old playmaker was the journalists' choice for the 2010 FIFA Ballon D'Or after a stellar season for club and country when he bagged the Champions League with Inter and reached the World Cup Final with the Netherlands. However, Sneijder has struggled at Inter since the departure of coach Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.
Two great feet, pace and vision make Sneijder one of the most incisive midfielders in the world. Holland's ace in an impressive pack, good things always happen when he has the ball. And few players hit a more lethal free-kick.
One to watch: Kevin Strootman
With coach Bert Van Marwijk keeping faith with his World Cup side, opportunities for fresh faces have been few and far between. One who has made the step up however is PSV's 22 year-old midfielder.
A Dutch international for barely a year, Strootman could start in Ukraine if his manager opts for a more creative core than the dual enforcers of Mark Van Bommel and Nigel de Jong. The left-footer distributes and circulates well and could even keep Rafael Van der Vaart on the bench. As Van Maarwijk says, "This boy could go a long way."
Coach: Bert Van Maarwijk
Despite the World Cup final horror show, the 59-year-old extended his contract through 2016 because it was clear he had turned Holland into a well-oiled and title-challenging unit. The traditional Dutch in-fighting has disappeared from the squad, replaced by mutual respect and team spirit. Van Maarwijk has kept a settled side and resisted calls to field talented youngsters until they have established themselves as consitent performers at club level. 23 wins out of 25 confirm the KNVB have found their man.
Record
1960-1972 Did not qualify, 1976 3rd Place, 1980 Group Stage, 1984 Did not qualify, 1988 Winners, 1992 Semi-Final, 1996 Quarter-Final, 2000, 2004 Semi-Final, 2008 Quarter-Final
FIFA Ranking
Predictions & Latest Odds
How they qualified for Euro 2012
Topped Group E with 9 wins on the bounce before losing to Sweden away.
On the sidelines
When the Netherlands met Portugal in the 2006 World Cup in Germany there were four red cards and 16 yellows.
Soccerphile says
Oranje should make light work of the Danes in their opening encounter but could drop points against Germany. They should beat Portugal comfortably, which leaves one of Poland, Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals. Holland look good money to reach the last four, if not the final.
Holland's weakness is clearly their defence, which needs work before the finals begin, but an array of talent and a functioning relationship between manager and squad means it may not be a fatal flaw.
The Dutch face old nemesis Germany, who embarrassed them 3-0 in Hamburg late in 2011, but otherwise their passage to the last four looks secure. Assuming the World Champions win their group, Holland can avoid Spain before the final, so getting revenge on their old rivals in the group stage takes on additional importance. The Dutch have no reason to fear the Spanish again and should be confident of challenging for the trophy, though Germany remain a tough nut to crack.
The Squad
Goalkeepers:
Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea), Tim Krul (Newcastle)
Defenders:
Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven)
Midfielders:
Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Lisbon), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham)
Forwards:
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Luciano Narsingh (Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)