The best goals from the Euro 2008!

The Netherlands!

The Netherlands’ Chances at Euro 2012!

As we inch closer and closer to soccer’s second biggest event, the Euro 2012, we should look at all the teams, but one in particular is as intricate as Barcelona’s tactics and possesses unmatchable skill and potential, the Netherlands.  The 2012 Dutch squad, who will be aiming their sights on the gold, is more of a threat than a pedophile in a school yard to robbing Spain of its 2008 Euro title.  The squad might just be able to live up to its sky high expectations.  Here are the players that the Dutch squad is composed of and what their impact will be.

First, let’s begin with their saviour, Robin Van  Persie, who will be playing as the center forward.  Robin Van Persie’s finishing makes him look like the Claude Monet of soccer and his hunger for trophies seems to never die as he still has not managed to engrave himself on any piece of hardware.  Van Persie has shown the world he can play through any type of adversity and virtually carried Arsenal on his back for a good chunk of the season.  Fortunately, Van Persie’s fellow Dutchmen will be much more competent line mates, and he will likely be given infinite opportunities to register his name on the score sheet, whether it’s a pass from Nigel De Jong or a feed from Arjen Robben!

Secondly, Bayern Munich forward, Arjen Robben, will either have a positive impact on the team or will be detrimental to the squad.  Robben is as cocky as Kanye West is with a microphone and will need to hold in his poisonous ego.  Robben will be located on the left of the formation beside Robin Van Persie and will need to be at his best as he will be counted on to either deliver the ball to R.V.P. or Klass Jan Huntelaar, another weapon in the Netherlands’ arsenal, who could be deployed at any moment.  Robben has the tendency to shatter under pressure and seems as nervous as a white guy walking the streets of Compton.  He choked last world cup and his nerves got the best of him in the Champions League Final as he missed a game changing penalty.

Thirdly, Dutch coach, Van Marwijk’s renovation of the structure of the Dutch squad will force veterans Nigel De Jong and captain Mark Van Bommel to play as defensive as a mother bear protecting her young.  The two central midfielders will be imprisoned in the center of the field and will need to make intelligent decisions when distributing the ball.  Nigel De Jong will need to be less aggressive and tone down his viking like methods during the games.  Thousands of Dutch fans would much prefer having Rafael Van Der Vaart in the middle because of his eccentric football sense and pure athleticism, but Bert Van Marwijk opted for a more defensive style.  Defensive formation is a strategy that seems unorthodox in Dutch soccer, but with its increasing popularity could very well be the missing piece of the puzzle for the Dutch squad!

The fourth player who will be heavily relied upon will be Inter Milan player, Wesley Sneijder.  Sneijder has been almost invisible on soccer’s radar this year and his turtle like start to the campaign was anything but impressive for a world class player.  Wesley began to regain his form halfway through but injuries hampered his hopes.  Thankfully, the end of the Serie A season was much more positive for Wesley and his hawk like vision seems to have returned to him.  Sneijder will need to make use of every opportunity he gets during the matches and will need to bully opposing keepers with his deadly strikes.

The fifth reason the Dutch will be a force to be reckoned with is its defence which many critics see as a weakness.  The Netherlands back four are not going to become the next Beckenbauer anytime soon, but their lack of offensive initiative should work out with Holland’s lethal attack.  The defenders need to play simple and as long as they can keep a stellar pace with the attackers, they will be just fine.  The defence includesGregory Van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Khalid Boulahrouz, all players who are able to make the necessary tackles when needed and who are as consistent as sun in the desert.

One of the biggest reasons its success is inevitable is the man between the posts, Maarten Stekelenburg.  Maarten sprawls around the crease like a fish in water and makes fans believe that he has glue on his gloves with his ability to avoid rebounds.  Stekelenburg has always been viewed as Van Der Sar’s successor and his play on the pitch has reinforced the critics’ comparisons to Holland’s greatest goal keeper.

Holland’s biggest weakness will not be the players, but their attitudes and willingness to play as a team.  Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder’s relationship is not exactly amicable as we saw with R.V.P.’s reckless challenge on Wesley in a clash between Arsenal and Inter Milan in the Champions League.  There is always Arjen Robben who seems to crave getting on teammates’ nerves such as Frank Ribery which ended up with a physical altercation prior to the Champions League final.  Hopefully, the players will be able to put their egos behind them and focus on bringing back the title to a country which has never possessed any silverware to fill their empty trophy cabinet!

The Dutch squad preparing for Euro 2012!