Arjen Robben

Manager: Bert Van Marwijk
Captain: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst
FIFA Ranking: 3
World Cup Appearances: 8
Best World Cup: Runner’s-up – 1974, 1978

Holland Betting Article

Holland Team Profile

It’s rare that the Netherlands, or Holland – whichever you prefer – turn up at these major events without their own unique party atmosphere, and the crazy Dutch could meet their match with the locals in South Africa. On the pitch, however, Holland will mean business as their explosive players will look to drive Holland towards their third final appearance in a World Cup and possibly to win the competition for the very first time as well.

Holland have been the bridesmaid on two occasions after twice coming up short in the final of a World Cup; 1974 & 1978. Recently, though, the Dutch haven’t even got close and will seek inspiration only from their 1998 semi-final in France when they came oh so close to their third World Cup final but lost out on penalties to Brazil. They haven’t really had a squad strong enough to mount a genuine World Cup push since though, but 2010 could be different as a whole host of players within the Holland squad are branded as ‘World-Class’ in their own right.

The Dutch fell at just the last-sixteen stage in their previous World Cup, while they were knocked out of the European Championships in 2008 in the quarter-finals. At one stage in those 2008 European Championships, the Dutch looked the real deal, the team everyone had to beat as they stormed through the Group of Death in emphatic fashion. But, however, they failed to deliver when the limelight was on them, and only time will tell if they fall ill to the same fate in South Africa. The group shouldn’t be a problem, they should complete that part of the mission fairly comfortably, but the knock-out stage is where the pressure will mount and Holland, in recent years anyway, haven’t coped at all well with knock-out football. There’s no time like 2010 to better that though…

Nicknames: Oranje, The Flying Dutchmen

Holland Key Players

All three mentioned below are exciting, explosive and exhilarating to watch. To have all three in the same team is breathtaking as the deadly combination of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie means Holland’s biggest flaw, their lack of a world-class striker, is now longer of great concern. All three are immensely talented when it comes to creating chances but they can also score plenty of goals themselves.

Wesley Sneijder has been a revelation at his new club Inter Milan since joining from Real Madrid. He has superb vision; possessing the ability to read, predict and influence the forward play, but he’s also a very good hitter of the ball as well. He’s a player which will look to shoot on sight and when he catches it right, they stay hit.

Arjen Robben is a magician on the ball, weaving in and out of defences with ease, using the quickness of his feet and his flexibility to dodge oncoming tackles. He occupies one of the flanks usually, often making the full-backs next 90 minutes a nightmare, but he’s prone to cutting inside and having a pop and he too is deadly from long range. Robben doesn’t get a lot of back lift with his shots but they fizz through the air at a disturbing rate of knots, often swerving from side-to-side that the keeper has no chance.

Robin Van Persie is one of our personal favourites; such a delicate little footballer, sort of Dennis Bergkamp like in how he goes about playing the beautiful game. His deft touches, jinxing little runs in between defenders and one lethal shot make the Dutch winger one of the best forwards in the modern game. He’s also a fabulous reader of the play, often seeing a move before it’s even happened. Great vision, the ability to pick out and implement the perfect through ball. Add to his game precision like set-plays and you’ve got one talented winger. 

Strengths

At the 2008 European Championships, Holland were shaping up as genuine contenders for the European crown after storming through their ‘Group of Death’ with France and Italy, emphatically beating two recent World Cup winners. The catalyst for their success on that occasion was the manner at which they counter-attacked. They were lightening quick, precise with their passes and emphatic with their finishing. The Dutch really did look a sheer delight to watch, and with some explosive and exciting players within their midst once again, we’re expecting some more quick breakaways in South Africa as they look to make the pace and guile of the three Dutch musketeer’s to good effect; Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie, all of which are more than comfortable when in possession, know how to take on a defender and certainly know where the goal is. Given the chance to run towards goal, either of the three will punish opponents. 

Weaknesses

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a young lad with plenty of potential and raw talent, but he has his critics despite plenty of room for improvement, with age certainly on his side. He has, however, tried his hand with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and on some of the biggest occasions, but he’s disappointed massively and there is a big question mark hanging over Huntelaar heading into South Africa over whether the AC Milan flop has what it takes, has enough experience to score the goals Holland need him to score if they are to go far in South Africa.

In fairness, though, there are few strikers available for Bert van Marwijk to choose from, with Huntelaar likely to be the only out-an-out striker travelling to South Africa for Holland. The prolific Ruud Van Nistlerooy has retired, while the forlorn figure of Dirk Kuyt is perhaps the only back up for Huntelaar in that central-forward role.

Holland Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Europe
Group: 9
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 8-0-0
Goals Scored: 17
Goals Conceded: 2

World Cup Potential: 4 / 5

Holland have some explosive players in their midst, players which can really make a difference and have that big game experience from club football. They’re a team jam packed with creativity and forward ingenuity, with the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie all boasting that vital match winning mentality. We aren’t entirely convinced with their defence but it does have more than enough caps to suffice on paper, while a big tournament is needed from wonder-kid Klaas-Jan Huntelaar if the Dutch are to be a big player in South Africa. We feel they can be and they are one of our personal favourites to spring a surprise at odds which would suggest they have only an outside chance of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Holland World Cup Betting Odds

Holland to win the World Cup (odds before the final):          3/2 – Bet365

Before the World Cup the odds on Holland were 11/1 

Official Holland World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam)

Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)

Sander Boschker (FC Twente Enschede)

Defenders

Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart)

Edson Braafheid (Celtic Glasgow)

Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord Rotterdam)

John Heitinga (FC Everton)

Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg SV)

André Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven)

Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax Amsterdam)

Midfielders

Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven)

Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich)

Nigel de Jong (Manchester City)

Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)

Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid)

Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar)

Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax Amsterdam)

Eljero Elia (Hamburger SV)

Strikers

Ryan Babel (Liverpool)

Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)

Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan)

Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Holland Fixtures – Group E

28 June – 15.00 – Round of the last 16: Holland v Slovakia 2-1

02 July – 15.00 – Quarter Finals: Holland v Brazil 2-1

06 July  – 19.30 – Semi Finals: Holland v Uruguay 3-2

11 July – 19.30 – World Cup Final: Holland v Spain

World Cup 2010 Group E - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

Before the start of the World Cup, Spain were no bigger than 7/2 to win the competition and although they have reached Sunday’s final, Vicente Del Bosque’s team certainly haven’t done things the easy way. An opening game defeat by Switzerland saw La Furia Roja drift out to 6/1 on the outright market and it appeared that a potential last sixteen clash with Brazil was on the cards.

However, Spain regained their composure after that early slip-up and now stand on the verge of greatness. It wasn’t until that last sixteen victory over Portugal that the team went shorter than the 7/2 that had been on offer at the beginning of June and they were still quoted at 2/1 before their semi-final against Germany. However, William Hill now offer a best price 4/7 that they become the eighth team to win the World Cup.

It’s been an amazing journey for the Spanish team, who are victims of their own success. Due to the way that they keep possession and try to work openings, it means that the opposition naturally get men behind the ball and go on to the back foot, something that a previously attack-minded Germany were doing on Wednesday night.

It will be interesting to see whether the Netherlands end up employing the same tactics, especially as Arjen Robben is not someone who naturally tracks back to help his team defend. Germany’s success in the World Cup was founded on Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller trotting back to help out the full-backs and the Dutch instead rely on two midfield enforcers by the name of Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong.

Nevertheless, Holland were equally as impressive as their opponents when qualifying for the tournament and they have maintained that 100% record in South Africa. The Dutch were on offer at around 12/1 on betfair’s outright market before a series of impressive friendly displays saw their odds cut before they had played a single game. Italy’s failure in Group F led to the Netherlands making the quarter finals reasonably easily, although the game against Brazil saw them trailing at half-time.

At this point in proceedings, you could have backed Holland at around 23/1 on betfair to win the World Cup and there was little in that performance at Port Elizabeth which suggested that the Oranje were potential winners of this tournament. However, you need luck to win any cup competition and the Brazilians were happy to shoot themselves in the foot due to lack of concentration when defending set pieces and ill discipline.

Therefore, Bert van Marwijk’s team are 6/4 (Paddy Power) to triumph at the World Cup for the first time and they will probably watch videos of how Switzerland managed to stop Spain in Durban three weeks ago. Coral offer 11/4 that they follow the blueprint of Ottmar Hitzfeld and win in ninety minutes and they do have three excellent counter-attacking players in Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.

Betting Guide to Holland

Perhaps that old destructive nature has started to creep back into the Netherlands, just as it appeared that Holland were finally a collective that would push on towards World Cup glory together. Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has been complaining about the fact that he got substituted in Holland’s last sixteen victory over Slovakia. He was visibly unhappy at the time, insisting that Wesley Sneijder should have been taken off instead of him. Now coach Bert Van Marwijk has the task of trying to unite the Dutch side as they chase a place in the World Cup final. All too often Holland have failed to put their talents to good use when it matters, usually falling into some disarray off the pitch at tournament football, which then causes them to crash out. Historically, the Dutch always start well at tournaments, and then bottle it on the big occasion. Even during their impressive qualification run and build up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Van Marwijk kept stating that he is imploring and drilling into the players the need to stay calm and to show a togetherness. The in fighting has been a problem will Dutch sides in the past, and all was looking to be plain sailing until Van Persie launched an angry outburst. Holland unquestionably have the talent worthy of winning in Europe and on the World stage. Whether they can put everything together for three more matches remains to be seen, as they have yet to display with any consistency, the beautiful game they have come to be known for. Not that they have been troubled in the World Cup so far this time, they haven’t, winning all three of their group games comfortably. But the Netherlands look as if they have not hit top gear, and going into a quarter final match against Brazil, that is exactly what you would need.

Holland came through their World Cup qualification with a 100% record, and they are on a long unbeaten run of games, which should put them in good standing in terms of confidence. While confidence is a necessary part of football, the Dutch are usually over confident to the point of arrogance, another of the qualities which are often their own undoing. Holland are famous for Total Football, but they are looking well short of that great title, even though they are clearly one of the stronger teams in Europe. Tournament football has never been their forte though, and like Spain, they are still chasing their first ever World Cup title. They certainly have the individual talent to do it, with Robin Van Persie himself, and the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben. Do they have the team to do it though? Their back line is solid enough, yet they have rarely been tested against top opposition. Cameroon exposed a lot of holes when playing and pace, and managed to get in behind the Dutch defence on several occasions. It is little things like this which keep Holland from being favourites in tournaments, even though they have some of the most impressive form around. They are not as good as Brazil, but they good give Brazil a good game if they can get enough of the position, but they are nowhere near as potent up front as Brazil are, the same level of threat just is not there. Holland, when the stressful times come and backs are against the wall, probably do not quite have the team nor the team spirit to win out.

Tactics: Holland’s Total Football approach lies in the fact that they let their midfielders and forwards link up by instinct. While there is obviously a formation to start out with, there is not so much of a rigidity in the workings of it. It is a very South American style which the Netherlands play, with the key man in the creative number ten position, being Sneijder who links up the midfield and sit in behind lone striker Van Persie. Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt patrols the flanks then, as well as filling in in centre midfield. Interchangeable is the word for Holland.
 
Coach: Bert Van Marwick – is not a person who is afraid to go his own way, but he does keep the ethics of Holland’s impressive style of football. Has relied on his experienced players a lot through his reign, and took a huge gamble in taking Mark Van Bommel with him, who has become pivotal in the middle of the park for Holland. The only thing wrong with Holland, is that is hard to see a back up plan if they go behind, and Marwijk hasn’t got a lot on the bench to change things up.

Holland World Cup 2010 Stats

Results
Holland 2, Slovakia 1
Holland 2, Cameroon 1
Holland 1, Japan 0
Holland 2, Denmark 0

Goals: 7 For, 2 Against
Cards: Y8, SY0, R0
Top Passer: Mark Van Bommel (238 passes, 78% completion rate)
Most Fouls: Wesley Sneijder, 8

Last 10 Match Holland Form:  DDWWWWWWWW

Probable Route to Winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup: Brazil (Q/F), Uruguay (S/F), Spain (F)

Holland Betting Tips

Stage of Elimination
Quarter Finals: 2/1 at Ladbrokes
Semi Finals: 6/1 at Bet365
Winners: 10/1 at Ladbrokes
Runners Up: 11/1 at Ladbrokes

To Reach Final
No – 1/5 at Bwin
Yes – 3/1 at Bwin

Holland’s Top Goal scorer at StanJames
Robin Van Persie 3/1 (1 goal)
Arjen Robben 5/1(1 goal)
Wesley Sneijder 4/6 (2 goals)
Dirk Kuyt 4/1 (1 goal)
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (1 goal)

Holland Betting Tip: Total Goals: 8-9 for 3/1 at Ladbrokes

Holland v Cameroon Betting Odds

Holland to win: 5/6 at Bet365
Daw: 5/2 at SkyBet
Cameroon to win: 4/1 at BetFred

Holland

Holland should look to push forward for another three points which should see them through qualification with a 100% record. It is exactly what they did in their European qualification group to reach the 2010 World Cup finals, and that is why they remain a good World Cup betting option. Coach Bert Van Marwijk has built a side which is capable of going on and reaching at least the semi finals. What will be at the back of the mind of the coach, the players and the fans, is the countless times they have failed at the big occasion. They are generally a strong team during the group stages of the World Cup, but when the pressure starts mounting even more through the latter stages of the tournament, then they become rattled, and usually fall, even when they have been looking in great form. Van Marwijk will try and keep and understated, yet efficient state of progression through the tournament, and will be keen to talk down their chances in order to keep their feet on the ground. They are packed with talent up front and are able to build comfortably from the back because of how solid they look back there. They have not conceded a goal yet, and have looked as is there is still more to come from the men in orange.

Van Marwijk himself expects more his team, saying that there is room for improvement, despite the two wins. One of the main things which he will be looking for, is perhaps a little more precision in front of goal. He will be boosted when Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben makes his return to the side, which could happen in the Cameroon match. Robben, who injured himself in a friendly against Hungary just before the World Cup, was allowed to say when he felt he was fully fit again. He has done so, and now the decision of how much to use him will be down to Van Marwijk. Holland need a draw to guarantee top spot in Group E, and Van Marwijk may change up the side a little bit in order to rest players, so he may decide not to risk Robben at all, saving him for the last sixteen. Holland a three point cushion at the top of Group E, with the two teams behind them playing each other. Holland should be able to rest fairly comfortably, but the interesting thing to see, is who will be their opponents from Group F, as there is a scenario in which it could be Italy. But first, there may not be a need for a comprehensive goal rout by Holland, but Van Marwijk will want to see the composure and ruthless streak that Holland have continue against the downtrodden Cameroon.

Holland World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: W2, D0, L0
GF/GA: 3/0
Cards: Y3, R0
Most Shots: Wesley Sneijder, 7
Top Scorer: Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, 1
Shots/On Goal: 27/12
Fouls Committed: 31
Total Passes: 1239
Pass Completion: 79%

Cameroon

The Indomitable Lions have had a miserable World Cup. First star striker Samuel Eto’o considered not taking part because of criticism over him by former player Roger Milla, and then they go and lose their opening two matches. Cameroon were eliminated after their second match, and that will be a huge disappointment, but probably not one that was unexpected by studious onlookers of World Cup Betting. They did not look to have the right weapons coming into the tournament to upset Holland, and that left them already in a race for second place. The opening fixture for Paul Le Guen’s men, in which they lost to Japan 1-0, really dealt them a harsh blow of reality. They simply are not good enough. They failed to impress at all at the African Cup of Nations, and lingering at the bottom of World Cup Group E, they have nothing left to play for except pride. Despite their problems, they were expected to put up a little bit more of a fight on African soil, but they have fallen short. Despite taking the lead against Denmark in their second match, they fell apart once the Danes started to press forward, exposing the lack of quality throughout the Cameroon side. What Le Guen does next is a mystery, as the side looks as if it needs a complete overhaul. The truth is, is that they have played their own way out of contention, and things are not looking for them. Can they muster one last roar before they exit the competition, or will they simply bow out with their tails between their legs?

Cameroon World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: W0, D0, L2
GF/GA: 1/3
Cards: Y3, R0
Most Shots: Achille Emana, 7
Top Scorer: Samuel Eto’o, 1
Shots/On Goal: 34/12
Fouls Committed: 38
Total Passes: 1040
Pass Completion: 74%

Asian Handicap Betting Tip: Holland will be fancied to win this, in one of the final group matches which does not carry a lot of significance. Holland may change their personnel a bit, but should still be stronger that the Cameroon side who must be lacking a lot of self belief and confidence. Holland are not short of either of those two things, and their beautiful football should be able to carve open the African nation with some ease, and should be at least a couple of goals better than their opponents.
Holland -0.75 for 11/10 at Bet365

Current Cameroon V Holland Odds:

Is The Future Bright For Oranje?

With Germany laying down the fiercest intent form a European nation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup so far, next to step up to the plate, is one of the most in form nations in World soccer, the Netherlands. Holland start their World Cup with a match against Denmark, in what many expect to be a lot of one way traffic heading towards the Danish net. That is simply down to the impressive qualification the Dutch had, and their free scoring during their warm up matches, which included trouncing Ghana and Hungary. While the Oranje are clearly the favourites to win this match and their group, there are signs that Denmark could put up some stern resistance if they bring their top game to the field. Of all the things said about the Dutch, of all the superlatives spouted forth about their style of play, they have always fallen short when it comes to tournament football. With their excellent form (having not been beaten since 2008), can the Dutch finally put a string of disappointments behind them and mount a serious and consistent challenge for the World Cup this time around? If they are to do so, then they can announce their intent with a solid win over Denmark.

The Dutch side is a star studded one, but one of their in form players, Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, won’t be taking part on Monday. The winger has been declared fit enough to take part in the World Cup at some point, and joined up late with the squad in South Africa. Robben picked up an injury to his hamstring in a warm up match, with doubts being raised over his ability to take part in the tournament. He seems to have enacted a miraculous recovery though, and coach Bert van Marwijk will look forward to his return, but won’t risk him unnecessarily. When you can call up Real Madrid’s Rafael van der Vaart as a straight replacement, then you can’t be in too much of dire straits. Can Holland turn their beautiful game into beautiful success? Too often they have come out of the blocks quickly, and that crashed after being over confident and arrogant. There is a swagger about the team, highlighted by Robben’s injury picked up by doing an unnecessary back heel trick pass, and their opponents will look to use that against them. If there is one weakness with the Dutch, then it will be their over confidence in the big pressure matches. But Marwijk has been trying to drill that out of them at camp, and will his wise words have an all important lasting impression on the current Dutch side. They have suffered two semi final heartbreaks in World Cup history, but can they go at least one step further?

Danish Dynamite Looking for Alternative Sparks To Ignite

Truth be told, because Denmark cannot put out their starting eleven, coach Morten Olsen may see his side struggle. What the Danes will bring to the World Cup table though, is organisation and strength in team work. They will know that they have not got the star ability to compete on an even keel with the Dutch in terms of attacking flair and individual brilliance, but their cohesion as a team could get them through, if they can hold out long enough and the Dutch start to lose their composure. This match should have been a fascinating battle for supremacy between two Arsenal strikers, with Holland’s Robin Van Persie going up against Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner. But the Danes will have to make do without their young star striker who is recovering from a groin strain. The full fitness status of goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen (who hurt his elbow at the end of the Premier League season) is still in doubt, and that could hurt them a lot of he is not quite ready. Sorensen is their number one choice, and will probably be thrown in, as he is an incredibly safe pair of hands behind the back line.

The Danes will put out an organised defence none the less, led by Liverpool’s Daniel Agger, even though they have more players in the treatment room, unable to take part in their opener. Olsen will also have to find a way to inspire his side, who did finish top of their European qualification group ahead of Portugal, as their preparations have not gone to well. Denmark lost to World Cup minnows South Africa and Australia as part of their build up, failing to find the back of the net on each occasion. But one thing Olsen can call upon, is Denmark’s decent record against Holland in tournament football. Five times they have encountered each other, with the head to head equal at two wins each and one drawn match. Out of all the star studded teams at the World Cup, such as Spain, Brazil and Argentina, it could be the humble Danes who cause Holland problems. The Danes will know the Dutch quite well, with several of the squad plying their trade in the Dutch top flight. For some reason there is a quiet confidence around the Danish camp, that they have the tools to stop Holland, before the mighty Oranje can even get going in the tournament. But the Dutch, having seen fierce rivals Germany fire four past Australia, will, in their arrogant way, want to emulate them.

Holland v Denmark Betting Odds and Stats

Last 5 Matches
Holland 6, Hungary 1
Holland 4, Ghana 1
Holland 2, Mexico 1
Holland 2, USA 1
Holland 0, Paraguay 0

South Africa 1, Denmark 0
Denmark 0, Australia 1
Denmark 2, Senegal 0
Austria 2, Denmark 1
Denmark 3, USA 1

Last 5 Match Goals
Holland: 14 For, 4 Against
Denmark: 5 For, 5 Against

Recent Stats
Holland: P50, W33, D12, L5 with a 66.0% win percentage
Denmark: P50, W24, D13, L13 with a 48.0% win percentage

World Cup Stats
Holland: P36, W16, D10, L10, GF59, GA38
Denmark: P13, W7, D2, L4, GF24, GA18

Last 10 Match Form
Holland: DWWDDDWWWW
Denmark: DDWLDWLWLL

Match Odds
Holland to win: 8/15 at Bet365
Draw: 10/3 at Victor Chandler
Denmark to win: 6/1 at Ladbrokes

Asian Handicap Betting Tip: The Danes will be organised and tough for a lot of teams to break down, and they have some decent quality up front. Nevertheless, the Dutch have much sharper tools, and their incredible creativity should be able to break through the most resistant of teams. The Dutch are an interesting side to watch. They should win their group at a canter, and be a major threat throughout the tournament. Will they hit the wall though at some point and crash, as they inevitably do? It should not be in this match. Can’t really beat the value of Holland -1 for Evens at Paddy Power.

Manager: Bert Van Marwijk
Captain: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst
FIFA Ranking: 3
World Cup Appearances: 8
Best World Cup: Runner’s-up – 1974, 1978

Holland Betting Article

Holland Team Profile

It’s rare that the Netherlands, or Holland – whichever you prefer – turn up at these major events without their own unique party atmosphere, and the crazy Dutch could meet their match with the locals in South Africa. On the pitch, however, Holland will mean business as their explosive players will look to drive Holland towards their third final appearance in a World Cup and possibly to win the competition for the very first time as well.

Holland have been the bridesmaid on two occasions after twice coming up short in the final of a World Cup; 1974 & 1978. Recently, though, the Dutch haven’t even got close and will seek inspiration only from their 1998 semi-final in France when they came oh so close to their third World Cup final but lost out on penalties to Brazil. They haven’t really had a squad strong enough to mount a genuine World Cup push since though, but 2010 could be different as a whole host of players within the Holland squad are branded as ‘World-Class’ in their own right.

The Dutch fell at just the last-sixteen stage in their previous World Cup, while they were knocked out of the European Championships in 2008 in the quarter-finals. At one stage in those 2008 European Championships, the Dutch looked the real deal, the team everyone had to beat as they stormed through the Group of Death in emphatic fashion. But, however, they failed to deliver when the limelight was on them, and only time will tell if they fall ill to the same fate in South Africa. The group shouldn’t be a problem, they should complete that part of the mission fairly comfortably, but the knock-out stage is where the pressure will mount and Holland, in recent years anyway, haven’t coped at all well with knock-out football. There’s no time like 2010 to better that though…

Nicknames: Oranje, The Flying Dutchmen

Holland Key Players

All three mentioned below are exciting, explosive and exhilarating to watch. To have all three in the same team is breathtaking as the deadly combination of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie means Holland’s biggest flaw, their lack of a world-class striker, is now longer of great concern. All three are immensely talented when it comes to creating chances but they can also score plenty of goals themselves.

Wesley Sneijder has been a revelation at his new club Inter Milan since joining from Real Madrid. He has superb vision; possessing the ability to read, predict and influence the forward play, but he’s also a very good hitter of the ball as well. He’s a player which will look to shoot on sight and when he catches it right, they stay hit.

Arjen Robben is a magician on the ball, weaving in and out of defences with ease, using the quickness of his feet and his flexibility to dodge oncoming tackles. He occupies one of the flanks usually, often making the full-backs next 90 minutes a nightmare, but he’s prone to cutting inside and having a pop and he too is deadly from long range. Robben doesn’t get a lot of back lift with his shots but they fizz through the air at a disturbing rate of knots, often swerving from side-to-side that the keeper has no chance.

Robin Van Persie is one of our personal favourites; such a delicate little footballer, sort of Dennis Bergkamp like in how he goes about playing the beautiful game. His deft touches, jinxing little runs in between defenders and one lethal shot make the Dutch winger one of the best forwards in the modern game. He’s also a fabulous reader of the play, often seeing a move before it’s even happened. Great vision, the ability to pick out and implement the perfect through ball. Add to his game precision like set-plays and you’ve got one talented winger. 

Strengths

At the 2008 European Championships, Holland were shaping up as genuine contenders for the European crown after storming through their ‘Group of Death’ with France and Italy, emphatically beating two recent World Cup winners. The catalyst for their success on that occasion was the manner at which they counter-attacked. They were lightening quick, precise with their passes and emphatic with their finishing. The Dutch really did look a sheer delight to watch, and with some explosive and exciting players within their midst once again, we’re expecting some more quick breakaways in South Africa as they look to make the pace and guile of the three Dutch musketeer’s to good effect; Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie, all of which are more than comfortable when in possession, know how to take on a defender and certainly know where the goal is. Given the chance to run towards goal, either of the three will punish opponents. 

Weaknesses

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a young lad with plenty of potential and raw talent, but he has his critics despite plenty of room for improvement, with age certainly on his side. He has, however, tried his hand with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and on some of the biggest occasions, but he’s disappointed massively and there is a big question mark hanging over Huntelaar heading into South Africa over whether the AC Milan flop has what it takes, has enough experience to score the goals Holland need him to score if they are to go far in South Africa.

In fairness, though, there are few strikers available for Bert van Marwijk to choose from, with Huntelaar likely to be the only out-an-out striker travelling to South Africa for Holland. The prolific Ruud Van Nistlerooy has retired, while the forlorn figure of Dirk Kuyt is perhaps the only back up for Huntelaar in that central-forward role.

Holland Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Europe
Group: 9
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 8-0-0
Goals Scored: 17
Goals Conceded: 2

World Cup Potential: 4 / 5

Holland have some explosive players in their midst, players which can really make a difference and have that big game experience from club football. They’re a team jam packed with creativity and forward ingenuity, with the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie all boasting that vital match winning mentality. We aren’t entirely convinced with their defence but it does have more than enough caps to suffice on paper, while a big tournament is needed from wonder-kid Klaas-Jan Huntelaar if the Dutch are to be a big player in South Africa. We feel they can be and they are one of our personal favourites to spring a surprise at odds which would suggest they have only an outside chance of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Holland World Cup Betting Odds

Holland to win the World Cup (odds before the final):          3/2 – Bet365

Before the World Cup the odds on Holland were 11/1 

Official Holland World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam)

Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)

Sander Boschker (FC Twente Enschede)

Defenders

Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart)

Edson Braafheid (Celtic Glasgow)

Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord Rotterdam)

John Heitinga (FC Everton)

Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg SV)

André Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven)

Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax Amsterdam)

Midfielders

Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven)

Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich)

Nigel de Jong (Manchester City)

Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)

Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid)

Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar)

Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax Amsterdam)

Eljero Elia (Hamburger SV)

Strikers

Ryan Babel (Liverpool)

Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)

Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan)

Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Holland Fixtures – Group E

28 June – 15.00 – Round of the last 16: Holland v Slovakia 2-1

02 July – 15.00 – Quarter Finals: Holland v Brazil 2-1

06 July  – 19.30 – Semi Finals: Holland v Uruguay 3-2

11 July – 19.30 – World Cup Final: Holland v Spain

World Cup Group E - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of Holland