Nederland. Will we win EURO 2012?

In a group beyond Death, I think they can. Germany, Portugal and Denmark., All highly proficient, skilful and technically gifted sides. Get out of that Group - steeled and ready for the knockouts - WHO can stop us?

Spain (the Favs) for sure. I see a repeat of the last WC Final. Hopefully with a better result this time. Germany for sure, but we could damage them in our group. Maybe France or Italy, but I cant see any other teams in it than that lot.

Can you?

Goalkeepers: Tim Krul (Newcastle United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea City AFC).
Not one of those would let us down. Well safe at the back.


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).

Bouma is back! Vast experience. Heitinga & VD Wiel are solid and intelligent defenders. Boulahrouz is a beast.

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).

Midfield is very strong. De Jong and Van Bommel are not to be messed with. Sneijder is pure class. As are VD Vaaart and Schaars.


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).

With Van Persie, Affellay, Robben and Huntelaar in the strike-force - goals will come.

I do believe that Van Marwijk has an excellent mix and balance to this squad. They tried it with hard-man tactics at the last WC. They wanted it so bad, after losing WC Finals in 74 and 78.
That is easing and giving way to more total football now.

I think this could be '88 all over again.

Geloof!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2c9x91G4o

Either way, no matter what happens, lets hope attacking-football wins and not kill-joy defences and dead-beat teams, bringing the buzz down. And I hope & pray, that racism is put in its proper place.

Here's to a brilliant Tournament.

I'm disappointed Dost didn't make the squad, sure he's not the most technically gifted player but top scorer in the league and just being one of those players that is such a handful to deal with in the six yard box could have been a great sub option when a plan B was needed.

what a group , thats all i can say.. you have a good chance. RVP is on fire, a match winner on his own. Robben wasnt great from what i saw in the cl final- but you cant really judge him on one game

Feic off you fake Clog, support the Irish you barsteward!

Hero wrote:I'm disappointed Dost didn't make the squad, sure he's not the most technically gifted player but top scorer in the league and just being one of those players that is such a handful to deal with in the six yard box could have been a great sub option when a plan B was needed.

He's deadly from 6 yards, eh Hero? A few hopefuls were really dissappointed at being left out man. That's indicitive of the quality they have coming through.
Vurnon Anita, Siem de Jong, Jeremain Lens and Dutch young player of the year - Adam Maher were left out also.

Just to let all soccer fans know, AJAX will be challenging/winning silverware in Europe, within 2/3 years. Cruyff said so. Its going to be the old AJAX.

I dont like em. I'm an AZ Alkmaar man... but once Cryuff sets his mind to something, AJAX & Nederland can only benefit.

HUP HOLLAND!

Thomond wrote:Feic off you fake Clog, support the Irish you barsteward!

Ja man, watching the ROI play football, is like watching Munster play rugby. I'd rather lick lead-paint dry.

Groetjes uit Hamsterjam.

Jan O' Gibson.

I think you're very deadly in midfield and going forward, and even the keepers are great, I just have to question the defence. There's no real "presence" there. Might end up being a case of "score more than you concede". I'll be interested to see if VDW repeates his WC performance.

When we played em and got back to level- its like holland just upped a gear and scored the winner for fun!

good team- best we have played for yonks- and i include spain in that

Another one to miss out on a place which is closer to home for you is Maher, he will be a real force to be reckoned with in a couple of years. The average age of the squad at AZ has to be one of the youngest in Europe.

If you seriously support Holland over Ireland I would lose a lot of respect for you, and thats a hard thing to do. Why not support both?


Ireland are not that borng, watching their matches is exciting there's always some goalmouth action. It's mainly at Shay Given's end but still.


The Dutch are in a group of 3/4 countries with serious chances of winning the tournament. They have all the guys to do it. They have amazing dsquad depth too. I don't watch Serie A but I heard Sneijder slipped a bit last season, VDV didn't seem to be as great last year either. Affelay could be used in an advanced midfield role though. Robben will also be creative.

If i disrespected every englishman for not support england- i wouldnt respect many people thomond... be glad your not at our level

TSC wrote:I think you're very deadly in midfield and going forward, and even the keepers are great, I just have to question the defence. There's no real "presence" there. Might end up being a case of "score more than you concede". I'll be interested to see if VDW repeats his WC performance.

TSC, fair point jongen.

But, I think that's why Bouma is back. Not too many goals scored against us. Not too many matches lost in the last 2 years. I do believe we will be ok.

Hero wrote:Another one to miss out on a place which is closer to home for you is Maher, he will be a real force to be reckoned with in a couple of years. The average age of the squad at AZ has to be one of the youngest in Europe.

Hero,
You are well aware of the Dutch game man. Mentioned Maher earlier. He's so special. Good Cloggie name eh?

P.S. I LOVE you.

Forza AZ!

mystiroakey wrote:what a group , thats all i can say.. you have a good chance. RVP is on fire, a match winner on his own. Robben wasnt great from what i saw in the cl final- but you cant really judge him on one game

Mysti,
The group would be frightening if we weren't so condfident. Have to beat the best to be the best. I think a weak group would have done us no favours.

your right-You wont face a weak opponent- it will hold you in good stead

Gibson wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:what a group , thats all i can say.. you have a good chance. RVP is on fire, a match winner on his own. Robben wasnt great from what i saw in the cl final- but you cant really judge him on one game

Mysti,
The group would be frightening if we weren't so condfident. Have to beat the best to be the best. I think a weak group would have done us no favours.

You had arguably a tougher group in 2008 - which included the then World Champions - and romped it only to be completely dominated by a Russian team managed by one of your own! I think that was Arshavin's last decent game.

FreekShow wrote:

Gibson wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:what a group , thats all i can say.. you have a good chance. RVP is on fire, a match winner on his own. Robben wasnt great from what i saw in the cl final- but you cant really judge him on one game

Mysti,
The group would be frightening if we weren't so condfident. Have to beat the best to be the best. I think a weak group would have done us no favours.

You had arguably a tougher group in 2008 - which included the then World Champions - and romped it only to be completely dominated by a Russian team managed by one of your own! I think that was Arshavin's last decent game.

True Freek. Over-confidence is the one thing that will kill us. Van Marwijk changed all that sheet. Individuals knuckle-down or they're out. Cloggies will be grand if it doesnt go to penos. Like England ... not a great record.

Thomond wrote:If you seriously support Holland over Ireland I would lose a lot of respect for you, and thats a hard thing to do. Why not support both?


Dont be silly man. Of course I will support both. Until the knockouts that is...

Ireland are not that borng, watching their matches is exciting there's always some goalmouth action. It's mainly at Shay Given's end but still.

Oh yes they are. Dreadful to watch. Only a Paddy would love em.

The Dutch are in a group of 3/4 countries with serious chances of winning the tournament. They have all the guys to do it. They have amazing dsquad depth too. I don't watch Serie A but I heard Sneijder slipped a bit last season, VDV didn't seem to be as great last year either. Affelay could be used in an advanced midfield role though. Robben will also be creative.

[i][i]

Our Group will tell a lot. Its ridiculous. As is Ireland's. I will be screaming for them v Croatia this weekend. Beat them and the Dream is up and running. Spain and Italy tho? Lose to Hrvatska and its all over in a flash.

I know you know yer football inside-out Thom. Respect.

But. I just love sexy rugby and football.

HUP Leinster! HUP HOLLAND!

Holland will beat Denmark and Portugal but lose to the Germans. Their quarter-final will be against Russia which they win at a canter. This sets up a semi-final with the Spanish that Spain win 1-0.

Holland 3-0 Denmark (Group)
Holland 0-2 Germany (Group)
Holland 2-1 Portugal (Group)
Holland 3-1 Russia (Quarters)
Holland 0-1 Spain (Semis)

There is no 3rd/4th place playoff, is there?

Actually, you're right there, thanks for pointing it out.

No way Germany are going to beat Nederland. Germany are Ireland's England. Ifyouknowotimeanbud.

They will go all out to destroy them. Could be the match of all the pool games. Two very evenly matched teams, who like to play football.

A draw is on the cards there for me. But a win over them would be so sweet.

Geef mij mijn fiets terug!

Gibson wrote:No way Germany are going to beat Nederland. Germany are Ireland's England. Ifyouknowotimeanbud.

They will go all out to destroy them. Could be the match of all the pool games. Two very evenly matched teams, who like to play football.

A draw is on the cards there for me. But a win over them would be so sweet.

Geef mij mijn fiets terug!

Germany-Netherlands is certainly, from a neutrals viewpoint not my own, the highlight of the group stage especially with that rivalry thrown in. I want Netherlands to beat the Germans but all I can see is Muller, Klose and Ozil catching the Netherlands out on the break. Sorry.

Ah fair enough Duty man. Thats what its all about. Discussion and opinions.

Ozil is so special. Close him down and the job is half-done. He feeds the rest of em goals, as well as scoring them himself. Brilliant player.

Not that bothered who wins now Bosnia are out. Want Croatia to do well though. Can't stand people who support the best teams cause they want to feel some 'accomplishment' like the OP.

Man, I have lived here for 27 years, reared my kids here, built a life here, and my son played high level amateur Dutch football. Its my HOME. Will that do? Not that I give a flyin feic.

HUP HOLLAND!

I know someone who has lived there 28 years but would not support them over their real country.

Vreemdelingenhaat is allemaal voorbij. Thuis is waar het hart is. Amsterdam is van mij. Ik heb veel huizen . Dublin is een andere. Misschien op een dag zul je opgroeien en leren.

Xenophobia is all over. Home is where the heart is. Amsterdam is mine. I have many homes. Dublin is another. Maybe someday you'll grow up and learn this on your travels.

End of lesson one.

Their chances look very bleak after losing to the Danes. A loss against Germany will spell 'Game Over' for Holland but a win puts them back on course. In other words, Holland-Germany should be a cracker!

We were shoite Duty, its fair to say man. Too arrogant by far. Should have had 4 or 5 at least. But, there is no one like Deutschland to get us going and to focus the mind. I expect a draw - if not a win. Then, we just beat Portugal. No probs.

P.S. We lost our 1st game to Russia in 1988. I was there. Supporting Ireland till they knocked us out (they were lucky too). But the best team in any tournament always rises to the top in the end.

HUP IERLAND vanavond!

Believe!

P.S. Hope ye beat the French tomorrow bud.

Holland suffered from both complacency and nerves. They had numerous chances, but didn't convert any of them, RVP fluffed his lines, Huntelaar feiced up (good keeping), Robben, Sneijder and Van Der Vaart had some aimless shots. They panicked a bit and they had a lot of shots but not many sure fire goal opportunities. Germany looked shaky at the back during the latter stages of the Portugal game so Holland could salvage a result.

What annoyed me with zee oranges is that they played saome of the best football first 60 mins- yeah they missed 6 plus clear cut chances , but it looked like they gave up after- there was no intensity!

they certainly have the game to beat the other two. so it isnt all over yet

Could it just be that this Dutch side is terribly over-rated? I thought they were awful yesterday and showed nothing to suggest they will get out of this group.

well rvp fluffed 4 chances - and we know how good he is(on last season form he would have buried ast least 2)- yep that staement could be applied to a million english players through the years and all mind!!. but i didnt like the fact they seemed to give up the game. that stinks imo. If england played like that i would be very angry

Gibson wrote:We were shoite Duty, its fair to say man. Too arrogant by far. Should have had 4 or 5 at least. But, there is no one like Deutschland to get us going and to focus the mind. I expect a draw - if not a win. Then, we just beat Portugal. No probs.

P.S. We lost our 1st game to Russia in 1988. I was there. Supporting Ireland till they knocked us out (they were lucky too). But the best team in any tournament always rises to the top in the end.

HUP IERLAND vanavond!

Believe!

P.S. Hope ye beat the French tomorrow bud.

Thanks very much, I certainly hope you beat the Germans which you have a great chance of doing if you score first. If Germany score first, it'll be an uphill battle. I think Holland will beat Portugal, just gotta keep Ronaldo and Nani quiet - they lack a world-class centre forward.

Yeah they were very flat and as you said they seemed to lack any kind of urgency in their attacks.

FreekShow wrote:Yeah they were very flat and as you said they seemed to lack any kind of urgency in their attacks.

Its a typical Cloggie attitude Freek. Ive seen it for years. They needed that loss to wake the feicers up. Arrogance & complacency, are self-perpetuating, Dutch enemies. No room left for it in this Comp now.

I just hope the Germans dont punish us for it. Lose to them and this article is dust.

Ah well. You have to put yourself out there and nail your hopes on your team from the start.

Feel the pain, to deserve & enjoy the gain...

Geloof!