The FIFA 2010 World Cup runners-up have failed to win any major tournament since their 1988 European Championship triumph. However, under the tutelage of Bert van Marwijk, the Dutchmen are devoted to be flying in Poland
and Ukraine.
Netherlands have emerged as a force to be reckoned around the globe in the past couple of decades or so. However, call it their fate or destiny, the Oranje have failed to win any major competition.
Apart from their 1988 European Championship glory in West http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 crushed their dreams with a 1-0
victory in the final to become World Champions. Undoubtedly, it was a bitter loss not only for the team, but for the fans as well.
However, with Euro 2012 in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032 on the horizon, everyone would be keen to put the bitter moments of the past behind.
Furthermore, after qualifying for the European Championship in style, finishing at the summit of the Group E, the Oranje would be brimming with confidence while heading into Euro 2012.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers:
Tim Krul (Newcastle United), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michel-Vorm-c25482 (Swansea City).
Defenders:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ron-Vlaar-c31697 (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven).
Midfielders:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Strootman-c20775 (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur).
Attackers:
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arjen-Robben-c6521 (Bayern Munich).
Netherlands Head Coach:
The Oranje appointed Bert van Marwijk as their head coach after Marco van Basten left the managerial hot seat to take control of Ajax Amsterdam at the end of Euro 2008. The 60-year-old tactician has done a tremendous http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 leading
the Flying Dutchmen since his appointment, winning 31 matches from a total of 45 played.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Feyenoord-c39258 Rotterdam tactician plays with a 4-2-3-1 formation – used the same structure in the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 qualifiers.
What it all boils down to:
Goalkeeper:
Stekelenburg is the first choice goalkeeper with Vorm and Krul acting as his understudy in the national team setup. The AS Roma glovesman had a good debut season at Stadio Olimpicio Rome, though, his side failed to win silverware
at the end.
Vorm and Krul both had a tremendous time between the sticks at Swansea City and Newcastle United respectively, and both can easily replace Stekelenburg if he sustains an injury during Euro 2012.
Right-Back:
Van der Wiel is a regular at the right-back position despite not having the prettiest 2011/12 campaign at Amsterdam Arena, which saw him miss many important games due to injuries. Khalid Boulahrouz is the second-choice for Van
Marwijk down the right side of the defence.
Continued in part II
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