Euro 2012 Preview - Holland

Without doubt, Holland, once again, enter a major tournament as one of the big favourites. The orange machine will be hoping for a showing of real class, and in doing so shedding the unenviable reputation attached to them after their ‘overly aggressive’ performance in the 2012 World Cup final. They certainly have the class to do so, and indeed to take home the trophy. If their strong defence can link well with a attacking force boasting names such as Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and qualifying top scorer Klass-Jan Huntelaar, then the likes of Spain and Germany will have to be on top form to stop a star studded Holland outfit.

They will have to do it the hard way, having been drawn in the ‘group of death’ with Portugal, Denmark and fellow trophy-chasers Germany.

Manager – Bert van Marwijk

A win percentage of a touch under 70% is a statistic that sums up Bert van Marwijk’s four year tenure as the Dutch head coach. The 60 year old, who was linked with the Liverpool job not long ago, has brought the good times back to one of world football’s massive underachievers, playing a brand of football (World Cup finals aside) that is a joy to behold. His system will revolve around fast passing and movement, with a typically Dutch brand of ‘total football’ the key to any van Marwijk success. The Holland boss is well liked in the dressing room, and is also, interestingly, Mark van Bommel’s father in law.

Key Man – Arjen Robben

With a smorgasbord of talent to choose from, picking out one star player is a difficult task, but in Arjen Robben, the Dutch have a world class individual with something to prove. Sold from Real Madrid after a disappointing couple of seasons, the winger has enjoyed an impressive renaissance at Bayern Munich. However, a disappointing Champions League final against his former club Chelsea, in which Robben missed a penalty, will be what is remembered of his 2011-12 season. Robin van Persie, Rafael Van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder will also provide service to goal machine Klass Jan-Huntelaar, who spearheads Euro 2012‘s fiercest attack.

Fixtures – Denmark, 9th June (Kharkiv), Germany, 13th June (Kharkiv), Portugal, 16th June (Kharkiv)

FIFA World Ranking – 4th (3rd at Euro 2012)

Odds - 6-1

Verdict – Holland are many team’s favourites to win Euro 2012, and for good reason. They possess an embarrassment of riches in the final third, and if allowed to play, even the group of death might not be strong enough to keep them from scoring. June 13th sees the biggest game of the group stages as the Oranje face Germany, and whilst both sides should progress regardless, expect fireworks as two of the world’s best sides attempt to come out of Group B as winners. Semi-finalists, at least. Potential winners.