UEFA Euro 2012

[TomBs]

Imagine we somehow make it through after huge battles with Germany and Portugal. Anyone remember 2006, Ivanov showing 16 yellow and 4 red cards in the came Holland-Portugal Anything like that in those 2 matches, and we won't be able to put 11 players on the field in the QF

[Amazing Matheja]

Hey guys ! Just to say to those who burry Netherlands after 1 match, to remember Italy in '82 World Cup...

Seems the dutch have already resigned mentally....

I don't see how when and where you saw that...

[SlicerITST]

As well as Netherlands in 88 when they lost to Ireland in the first match. But that was different because van Basten came back in the squad then and it started to come together. But our current coach wont change anything major. So i dont see it happening. Im hoping it will though.

[TomBs]

Now we have Mathijsen coming back into the squad:(

[Tamthewasp]

Hey guys ! Just to say to those who burry Netherlands after 1 match, to remember Italy in '82 World Cup...

Seems the dutch have already resigned mentally....

I don't see how when and where you saw that...

I saw it in the eyes of the players and Ruud Gullit

[SlicerITST]

Thank you Germany. Just what this coach and some of the players need. A nice big humiliation.

[Vieira151]

Robben was poor. Too selfish. Van Persie's goal was good, and he maybe should have scored a couple more, to be honest.

[Tamthewasp]

Van Persie Arenal vs Van Persie Holland.

At Arsenal VP has players around him that are not manchildren. At Arsenal he has a TEAM ( Together evryone achieves more) At Holland he does not have these 2 very important things.

Robben has Major Egomaniacal tendancies and so on. But holland played better last 20 mins.
Schweinsteiger beautifully controlled the game n thats what holland miss.
Holland should go 4 4 2 with Kuyt right Sjneider left huntellar n VP up top but it aint the dutch way.

P.S COME ON EIRE.

P.P.S @ Vieria. I'm so very sad about what happened at Rangers

[Vieira151]

What happened? I don't care enough to follow what happens with them.

[Tamthewasp]

LOL LIQUIDATION HAAAAAA

[Amazing Matheja]

Hey guys ! Just to say to those who burry Netherlands after 1 match, to remember Italy in '82 World Cup...

Seems the dutch have already resigned mentally....

I don't see how when and where you saw that...

I saw it in the eyes of the players and Ruud Gullit

Haha ! Well anyway you were right... I thought Netherlands had a very great generation, but they're screwing it all... How can it be ? No defense ?... That's sad, I always liked Netherlands players and teams... (except the VanBommel or the DeJong... ...When they're not in my team ! ^^)

[Tamthewasp]

I dislike holland but have always respected the style of play. It just seems 2 me that they have no heart and would rather happily try hard for their clubs and pick up the massive wage wage packet than actually want 2 win for the national team. My national team SUCKS but I can tell you now that nearly evry1 selected for SCOTLAND will play their heart out and give their all for the country.

[Amazing Matheja]

...I can tell you now that nearly evry1 selected for SCOTLAND will play their heart out and give their all for the country.

Starting from the anthem "Flower Of Scotland" ! One of the most beautiful anthem of the world ! (I think it's at its most beautiful in Rugby matchs... Dunno why ^^)

[Tamthewasp]

I totally agree. Our anthem is a story told through song. And it's pure passion. Seeing and even hearing it at the rugby makes my eyes bleed H20

[TomBs]

Well, let's analyze our team.

Goalkeeper:
Stekelenburg, good goalie, although he nearly made a huge error today in the 89th minute.
Subs: Vorm is a good goalie as well, had a great season at Swansea.
Krul is one to watch for the future, had a great season at Newcastle.

Defense:
Van der Wiel: Great at WC2010, but since then has gone downhill. Struggling this season at Ajax, and so far pretty awful at the EC.
Heitinga: Decent, has never been worldclass. Getting older.
Mathijsen: Old, decent, has never been wordclass, slow.
Willems: Only 18, youngest player at the EC. Had a good match in Denmark. Had a terrible time against Germany, but he's still learning, could be very good in the future.
Subs:
Vlaar, decent, never been worldclass. Had a good season at Feyenoord, is getting older as well.
Boulahrouz: Old, never been worldclass.
Bouma: Old, slow, way over his top. Has never been worldclass.

Other than that we don't have any backs nor proper central defenders.

Midfield:
Van Bommel: Old, way over his top.
De Jong: You need the kind of player. Has been quite decent so far.
Sneijder: Good against Denmark, not so against Germany. Excellent player, we really need him to be good against Portugal.
Robben: Needs a holiday really. Mentally exhausted probably after missing very important penalties agains Dortmund and Chelsea. He used to be worldclass, but he is selfish, has no eye for the team. Also very predictable, cuts inside from the right wing because he has no right foot. He should play at the left wing to reach the backline and provide crosses into the box.
Afellay: Has been injured most of the season, so not in top form. Good player though.

Subs:
Van der Vaart: Excellent player, just under worldclass. Should play in Van Bommels position, as he did today in 2nd half.
Narsingh: Right winger, One to watch, young, had a great season at Heerenveen.
Schaars: Good season at Sporting Lisbon. Defensive mid, can also play leftback. Good player, but not worldclass.
Strootman: Attacking midfielder, can also play in a more defensive role. He's young, had some good seasons, could be one for the future, although he won't be worldclass.

Attackers:
Van Persie: Absolutely brilliant season at Arsenal. Worldclass player. He just hasn't shown it in the Dutch squad, somehow underperforms. That said, he's been quite decent so far, and showed glimmers of his class today when Huntelaar was the striker. Should play just behind Huntelaar, like today in 2nd half. Has been the lone striker before that though, with 2 or 3 defenders around him. Should leave space for others like Robben and Afellay then, but they screwed up.

Subs:
Huntelaar: Topscorer in Germany this season, great player. The coach opts for Van Persie though, although hopefully he'll start against Portugal.
Kuyt: Over his top. Has never been worldclass. Great mentality, will always keep fighting, hard working player, but not good enough anymore.
De Jong: Young striker, bit like Huntelaar. One to watch, will be playing for Wolfsburg next season I think.


So yeah, it's all not that brilliant. Potentially great attacking players, but the seem to lack the drive, the mentality. I always feel Dutch aren't real winners. Also, the teamplay lacks. In addition to that the coach tends to stick to his preferred system, even though it's not working all that good. Fortunately he put Van der Vaart and Huntelaar in against Germany in 2nd half, looked way better immediately, gave many more options up front, although the players didn't really play that good.

So imo we should start against Portugal like this:

Stekelenburg
Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen/Vlaar, Willems
De Jong, Van der Vaart
Afellay/Narsingh, Sneijder, Van Persie
Huntelaar



We need to win with a goal difference of at least 2. Then if Germany beats Denmark we're also through to the QF with only 3 points.