Euro 2008 Team Preview: Holland (Netherlands)

Ruud van Nistelrooy Holland Euro 2008FOOTBALL – Euro 2008 Team Preview – HOLLAND (Netherlands)

14/1 with Paddy Power to win Euro 2008.
11/4 with bet365 to win Qualifying Group C (includes Italy, France and Romania).

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Past Championships

It seems incredible that Holland’s only major tournament victory European Championships was twenty years ago, in 1988. With current coach Marco Van Basten and illustrious team-mates like Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, that Dutch side and their final win over Russia will live long in the memory. Three semi-finals since, in 1992, 2000 and 2004, have seen the Dutch fall at second-last hurdle.

1960 – Did Not Enter

1964 – Did Not Qualify

1968 – Did Not Qualify

1972 – Did Not Qualify

1976 – Semi-finals

1980 – Round 1

1984 – Did Not Qualify

1988 – Champions

1992 – Semi-finals

1996 – Quarter-finals

2000 – Semi-finals

2004 – Semi-finals

Coach

One of the world’s finest strikers and a goalscorer in Holland’s victorious 1988 final win over Russia, Marco Van Basten still has a lot to prove as Dutch national coach. Having agreed to take over at Ajax after Euro 2008 this is his last chance to gloss over the inadequacy of his four year reign and help reclaim his own profile amongst Dutch fans. To do so his favoured 4-3-3 formation may have to be replaced by a 4-4-2 to make best use of his attacking assets.

In Germany, Van Basten’s gamble of shedding much of the old guard from his plans seemed to backfire as his young guns lost their touch, as well as their composure, in a bad-tempered 1-0 defeat to Portugal. Before the tournament, the coach had repeatedly played his “get out of jail free” card by defending his squad selection, as part of a longer-term plan to win Euro 2008, a card he no longer holds. Van Basten remains a national hero and his legend has thus far inspired loyalty from most of his players, while shielding him from some serious criticism in the press. However, the Netherlands have been drawn in the “group of death” at Euro 2008, with Italy, France and Romania.

Qualification

For once, the Dutch did not cake-walk the qualifying. Holland finished second out of seven in Group G behind Romania, having suffered defeats away to the group winners and Belarus. They did not impress, and were even booed off by their home fans after edging Luxembourg by a single goal.

Key Players

Attentions will be focused on the well-known forwards and midfielders, but the Netherlands will not progress with a leaky backline. For this reason, one of the team’s unsung heroes, Hamburg defensive anchor Joris Mathijsen, ever-present in the qualifiers, could hold the key to success. Mathijsen is strong, but not quite in the class of Jaap Stam, which makes his performances for his country in Switzerland that bit more crucial.

Holland’s traditional strength lies in their fluid teamwork, and as the least likely team to bypass the midfield, the Dutch will need to find sparks from the centre.Van Persie and Van der Vaart will do much of the running, but the stage is set for Real Madrid’s Wesley Sneijder to stamp his mark on the tournament. The former Ajax man is blessed with a deftness of vision can be frustratingly inconsistent.Now back in favour with Van Basten, Ruud Van Nistlerooy will need to provide the goalscoring threat to really ignite the Dutch challenge. For full effect, he needs to play in a system that supports his style of play and, if Van Basten relents, he will be rewarded with goals.

Still number one for Holland and Manchester United, captain Edwin Van der Sar has regained his position as one of the world’s top goalkeepers. Although Euro 2008 will be his last tournament for Holland, he remains one of their most important players and all the more so for their lack of defensive solidity.

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    Related Articles:
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Romania
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: France
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Sweden
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Switzerland
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Italy


    • Written by Max Hammond · Filed Under Euro 2008, Football 

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