Euro 2008 Preview : Holland
On the 20th anniversary of Holland winning the European Championship, Euro 88 hero Marco van Basten returns, this time as coach as he looks to lead Holland to European Glory.
Holland in better days
Right off the bat let me say I don’t rate Marco van Basten a quality coach. His mind games with Ruud van Nistelrooy, benching him at the last World Cup distracted the rest of this Dutch squad. Sending out Khalid Boulahrouz with the clear intention of hurting Cristiano Ronaldo was also a low point. The best coaches adapt to there players. Marco van Basten makes his players adapt to him. It’s either his way or no way which had lead to such players as Clarence Seedorf either pulling out of the squad or in the case of Mark van Bommel not even being considered.
While talented with the likes of Edwin van der Sar in goal and a midfield that boosts the likes of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart. Not to mention a front line that features talented goal scorers such as Ryan Babel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Arsenal’s Robin van Persie. What I didn’t mention is the defenders which will be the Achilles heel of this Dutch side.
Well the likes of Wilfred Bouma, John Heitinga keep the offensive weapons that the rest of Group C process at bay? My answer to that will be no. This Dutch side gave up three goals against Austria. Yes it was a friendly but even so Austria should not be scoring three goals against top European teams. That doesn’t bode well heading into Euro 2008.
Key Player – Arjen Robben
The best dutch player at the last World Cup will be called upon again to lead Holland come Euro 2008. When healthy and sadly that isn’t often Robben has to be considered one of the most gifted midfielders in Europe.
Group C Outlook
As you can tell I am very much down on this Dutch side. I don’t think 1-11 they will match up with either Italy or France. The days of total football under Marco van Basten seem to be a distance memory. Holland is now playing a negative brand of football. That brand of football will not see them through to the knockout stage.
Sinnacle Predicition 4th in Group C