Holland Euro 2012 Tournament Analysis

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IntroductionThe Dutch are arguably the biggest underachievers in World Football with only 1988s Euros to show for a nation thats produced Cruyff, Gullitt, Van Basten, Bergkamp to name just a few.The simplistic view of the Dutch is that they turn up to a tournament as one of the favourites, a star player falls out with the coach and is sent/flounces home, theres infighting in the squad and they go out on penalties. A somewhat more complex analysis suggests that they never seem to have that extra dimension they need to win the big tournaments. However, before every tournament great things are predicted from the Dutch, so the law of averages, suggests that sooner or later theyll win. This could be their year.Qualifying formThe Netherlands breezed through their group, winning 10 out of 11 games and only losing their last game, when theyd already qualified. They were Europes top scorers in qualifying, although to be fair it did include an 11-0 trouncing of San Marino. They recently gave Northern Ireland a proper spanking, so should go into the tournament with confidence. The Netherlands will start as one of the Nathan MacKinnon Jersey  favourites, so if you like a bet, youd do a lot worse than going Dutch. SquadThe Coach Bert Van Marwijk has stuck largely with much of the same personnel who came runners-up to Spain at the last World Cup. Amazingly, theres a place for Dirk Kuyt, though I doubt hell see much action this time around. This squad is very experienced, right throughout the side, and has 3 very good keepers. He has, however added a sprinkling of youth to freshen things up with some promising young players about to be blooded at their first big tournament. There are no great Rio Ferdinand-style omi sions from the squad and Van Marwijk has to be applauded for keeping all those egos and opinions in check. Its a pretty strong squad all round. This is the best chance for the Dutch to add another major tournament to their 1988 triumph.Formation Adam Foote Jersey The Dutch havent really played Total Football since 1974, but have usually produced attacking free-flowing football. The present Dutch side is still capable of playing some breathtaking stuff, but they do place greater stall on defensive solidity and not being dominated in midfield.Under Van Marwijk, the Dutch always play a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders, usually De Jong and Van Bommel. Wesley Sneijder performs the cla sic European No. 10 playmakers role, operating just behind the striker and they employ 2 wingers and a lone front man, usually Van Persie. The rigid adherence to this formation often means that theres no starting place for Van Der Vaart or Huntelaar, despite Huntelaar, leading their scoring in the qualifiers. The full-backs like to get forward and the formation and personnel theyve got, gives them the fluidity and penetration to cause problems for any defence. Oh and Van Persie can score goals, as can Robben, Sneijder, Huntelaar, Affelay and any pretty much most of the squad.Key PlayersTake your pick from Van Persie, Robben, Sneider etc. However, if I have to come off the fence, I quite fancy Sneijder to put an indifferent season behind him and prove himself as the best No.10 in Europe. Van Persie is probably hot favourite for the Golden Boot Award.Weakne sesDefensively, the Netherlands are a bit suspect, but thats true Teemu Selanne Jersey  of most teams in this tournament. Theres not a great deal of pace at the heart of defence, so are suspect to teams running at them at speed. Its likely that Van Bommel and De Jong wont be allowed to get away with the kind of brutality that caused Johan Cruyff to describe the South Africa 2010 version of the Netherlands as anti-football. Oh and theyre worse at penalties than England.TacticsWith the talent at their disposal, expect the Netherlands to be attack-minded. Look for the Dutch to get the ball to Robben and the other winger, probably Afellay as much as po sible. Theyre not cla sic wide-men in the Overmars mould as they have licence to roam around and cut inside and will quite often switch wings. Width will also be provided by both full backs who like to get forward at  Mikhail Grigorenko Jersey every opportunity. Much of their best work will revolve around Sneijder. The playmaker has something of a free role and is critical in linking midfield to the other attack minded players. Sneijder can pick a pa s and weigh in with goals. Expect fluency, movement and pace and they are especially dangerous on the counter-attack. However, they can be got at. The back four arent great and they could be suspect down the flanks and as the tournament goes on, opposing teams might just work out how to play against that 4-2-3-1 formation.Players to WatchLook out for Jetro Willems. The PSV left back only turned 18 in March and is the youngest player at Euro 2012. Hes composed, a sured, athletic, and great going forward. If he has a good tournament, expect some of Europes leading clubs, to sniff around him like teenage boys at a bonfire. Also, the Herenveen winger, Luciano Narsingh is fast and skilful. He always seems to do the right thing in the final third (Theo Walcott take note) and has an eye for goal. Expect the Dutch to use him as an impact player, but he may end up as a starter as the tournament progre ses.ConclusionThe Dutch are in the group of death, but have more than enough to get out of it. Expect fireworks when they Erik Johnson Jersey  play Germany and as long as they dont have to take penalties, they should do well. I expect the Dutch to reach the semi-finals, after which anything can happen.