Long gone are the days when Holland’s preparations for a leading tournament were derailed at the last by whispers of a squad divided by racial tension, the withdrawals of key players or hotel parties uncovered by disgruntled wives and girlfriends. In 2012, few sides look quite so well prepared as the clockwork Oranje.
Their qualifying campaign, certainly, has bestowed abundant confidence: an unblemished record in topping their group, scoring more goals than anyone else in Europe in the process, has burnished the belief that Bert van Marwijk’s players are ready to improve on their performance at the 2010 World Cup finals, when only the relentlessness of Spain’s tiki-taka stood between Holland and ultimate glory.
Few teams, certainly, possess attacks quite so potent. Van Marwijk can call on the leading scorers of the Bundesliga, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and the Barclays Premier League, Robin van Persie, while there is abundant creative talent in the supply line, too, in the form of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart. The defence is rather more suspect, relying on Johnny Heitinga, of Everton, and veterans such as Khalid Boulahrouz and Joris Mathijsen. Left back remains a particular concern.
Van Marwijk’s players, though, are confident that their style — the overzealous brutality of South Africa has been tempered — and their ability going forward can mask the flaws. “We are aiming to at least reach the final of Euro 2012,” Sneijder says. “We want to do even better, though. We want to win the title.”
Tactics/Coach
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The 60-year-old Van Marwijk has attempted to tone down the rough-housing from the final in South Africa and introduce a more traditionally expansive Dutch style, although his persistent selection of certain, more workmanlike, players, including Dirk Kuyt, has come in for criticism. The Dutch FA’s faith, though, is proven by its desire to see the coach extend his contract beyond the 2016 European Championship finals.
Strengths
The attack: any country naming Van Persie, Sneijder, Robben, Huntelaar and Van der Vaart in their first XI will score goals against any opposition. Maarten Stekelenburg, the goalkeeper, remains one of the finest in Europe. The midfield, marshalled by Mark van Bommel, has steel, too.
Weaknesses
Holland’s wealth of resources up front contrasts sharply with the paucity of options at the back. Mathijsen and Boulahrouz have never been top-quality, Heitinga is deployed out of position and Wilfred Bouma, once of Aston Villa, has been plagued by injuries. His arrival in the squad has caused some consternation.
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Star player
There are a number of candidates, not least Robben and Van Persie, but the thought lingers that without Sneijder, Van Marwijk’s side do not run quite so smoothly. The Inter Milan playmaker must be at his best if the Dutch are to be involved at the business end of the tournament.
Fixtures: Saturday, June 9: Holland v Denmark (Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, 5pm, BBC One).
Wednesday, June 13: Holland v Germany (Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, 7.45pm, BBC One).
Sunday, June 17: Portugal v Holland (Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, 7.45pm, ITV1).