Netherlands

Favourites frightened again

Holland's national starting team for their Euro 2004 Play-off, first leg match against Scotland 15 November, 2003 at Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland. First row, left to right, Andy van der Meyde (7), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (5), Edgar Davids (8), Marc Overmars (11) and captain Frank de Boer. Second row, Ruud van Nistelrooy (9), goal keeper Edwin van der Sar (1), Jaap Stam (3), Phillip Cocu (6), Patrick Kluivert (10) and Andre Ooijer (2). AFP PHOTO/IAN STEWART

Although Holland had to fight tooth and nail to book their ticket to Portugal, finally crushing Scotland in the play-offs, the colossal talent in their squad ensures they will be amongst the favourites to win Euro 2004.

After suffering the embarassment of failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, finishing behind Portugal and Ireland, they almost missed out again at Euro 2004.

Forced into second place in Group 3 by the Czech Republic they also had to overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Scotland. But a terrifying 6-0 second-leg thrashing of the Scots sent out a timely warning to any doubters.

While the Czech Republic took four points off Holland in qualifying, everyone starts with a clean slate out at the finals. Mouth wateringly, the two have been drawn together again along with Germany and Latvia for the first round Group phase.

Coach Dick Advocaat seemed delighted, claiming his charges now knew at least what they had to do to beat the Czechs and that their opener against Germany would be a classic due to historic rivalry between the two nations.

Egos and arguements

A combination of massive egos and bickering between the ethnic divide in the Dutch camp has plagued the Netherland for generations and means the players are often found squabbling not only amongst themselves but also with their coach.

Advocaat has one of the best strikers in the game in Ruud van Nistelrooy but a feud between the pair during the 3-1 qualifying defeat against the Czech Republic nearly cost the Manchester United star his place in the team.

With qualification ensured, Holland can look forward to erasing their recent nightmares, notably one at Euro 2000 when a series of missed penalites meant they lost to ten-man Italy in the semi-finals.

Wealth of talent

Dutch fans are dreaming the current team can emulate Marco Van Basten and the famous side that won the 1988 European title in some style.

A close look at some of the players Advocaat can call upon would represent a dream team for many other coaches.

In goal, Fulham's veteran Edwin van der Saar provides reliable service while in defence, Lazio hardman Jaap Stam is a stopper no striker wants to cross swords with.

Edgar Davids of Juventus, AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf as well as Marc Overmars and skipper Philippe Cocu give Advocaat an enviable selection headache in midfield.

Roy McKaay of Bayern Munich offers another option in attack as does Chelsea marksman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink but sometimes in the case of the Dutch, too many cooks spoil the broth.

Factfile on Netherlands

Population

16.1 million

Area

34,000 km²

Capital

Amsterdam

Currency

Euro

Federation

Koninklijke nederlandsche Voetbalbond (KNVB) created in 1889

Affiliated to FIFA

1904

Affiliated to UEFA

1954

Registered players

Approx. 1.05 million

Colours

Orange shirts, black shorts, orange socks

Top clubs

Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord

World Cup appearances

7 (1934, 1938, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 1998)

World Cup honours

Finalist (1974, 1978), Semi-finalists (1998), Quarter-finals (1994), Second round (1990)

European Championship appearances

7 (1976, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)

European Championship honours

Winner (1988), 3rd (1976), Semi-finalists (1992, 2000), Quarter-finalists (1996)

How they qualifed

Finished runners-up in Group 3 with 19 points (6 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, 20 goals for, 6 against) behind Czech Republic (22pts) and ahead of Austria (9pts), Moldova (6pts) and Belarus (3pts). Then beat Scotland 6-1 on aggregate in two-legged play-offs

Key players

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edgar Davids, Frank de Boer, Clarence Seedorf, Jaap Stam, Rafael van der Vaart

Coach

Dick Advocaat