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SQUAD PROFILE: Holland

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bluejock

bluejock

Boss coat aficionado
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Manager - Bert van Marwijk

Squad

Goalkeepers - Tim Krul (Newcastle United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea City AFC)

Defenders - Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart), Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), John Heitinga (Everton FC), Joris Mathijsen (Málaga CF), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (AFC Ajax), Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven)

Midfielders - Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City FC), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Wesley Sneijder (FC Internazionale Milano), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur FC)

Forwards - Ibrahim Afellay (FC Barcelona), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Luciano Narsingh (sc Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (FC Bayern München)

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Holland enter the Euros like several other big names, on the bag of a rather shaky friendly that won't have inspired much confidence but nevertheless knowing that they have the players capable of winning. Having finished runners up in the last World Cup, but beating Spain in the "kick the living sh*t out of your opponents" sideshow, Holland do have big tournament pedigree, and although they've never won the biggest prize, they did lift the European Championship trophy in 1988 beating Stalin's XI in the final with goals from Gullit and Jock's all time hero, Marco van Basten.

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In qualifying for this years finals, Holland finished top of their group with 27 points from 30, losing only to England's group opponents Sweden. Klass Jan Huntelaar top scored for the Dutch with an impressive 12 goals.

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Holland's football has always revolved around a simple passing philosophy, keeping the ball patiently and making opponents work hard for possession. The squad features several English based players, Tim Krul of Newcastle, Nigel de Jong of Man City, Rafael Van der Vaart of Spurs, the spectacularly ugly Dirk Kuyt and our own Johnny Heitinga, fresh off the back of his best season in a blue shirt which saw him deservedly win Everton's player of the season. Notice how much acer he is when he's not talking of leaving? I love him so much, he's getting two pictures in this thread. (Feel free to add your own too)

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However, my player to watch is in fact, two players. The awesome Wesley Sneijder and the never takes no for an answer, rapey eyed Robin van Persie (FFS I know he was found innocent but he looks the type doesn't he?!?!) With those two coming forward, the Dutch will never be short of goals and as such, will be a big threat to bookmakers' summer holiday plans, as they'll be heavily backed.

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Holland probably have the acest fans in the world and will be well supported by the neutral too as most peoples' "second team."

Prediction

I really hope they win it for Belg's sake and to see Johnny round off his season in style, but unfortunately I have them down as losing semi finalists.

Hup Holland.
 

Thanks for the kind words bluejock.

Personally think we can go all the way, but at the same time we might not even survive the group stage. Our form has slipped since we made sure of qualification and that needs changing fast. On our day we can match everyone, but need everybody on top of their game. Same with injuries, we simply don't have the strength and quality in depth that other countries like Germany and Spain do have.

Oh and could you please loan Baines to us? In desperate need of a quality left back here.
 

I think they were the 2nd best team in the world in the last major international tournament, but Germany for me have developed into a greater threat. Italy and France have sorted themselves out as well, so the Dutch probably don't have as good a chance to win their first trophy as they did in 2010. That said, I think Spain will implode (not England-level, just a semi-final knockout or something) so who knows.

I'll be rooting for them anyway, assuming they're not up against Ireland. Good luck to Belg, Heitinga and the Oranje in general.




EDIT: woops, sorry, I didn't realise they won the Euros in 1988!
 
RadioFriendlyUnitShifter said:
I think they were the 2nd best team in the world in the last major international tournament, but Germany for me have developed into a greater threat. Italy and France have sorted themselves out as well, so the Dutch probably don't have as good a chance to win their first trophy as they did in 2010. That said, I think Spain will implode (not England-level, just a semi-final knockout or something) so who knows.

I'll be rooting for them anyway, assuming they're not up against Ireland. Good luck to Belg, Heitinga and the Oranje in general.




EDIT: woops, sorry, I didn't realise they won the Euros in 1988!
Click to expand...

You're so young!!!!!

*strokes thighs

Dutch for the Win
 


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