• Schedules
• Competitions
• Videos
• Pubs
• Channels

• Premier League
• Serie A
• La Liga
• Bundesliga
• Ligue 1
• World Cup Qualifiers
• Other Competitions

Viva la Espana! Champions of Europe!

Re-live the Euro 2008 Championship by selecting a match below or visiting the dedicated site Euro2008TV.com for articles, photos, and video highlights of your favorite team.

 

Netherlands Euro 2008 Online Streams and TV Schedules

#Date	Time (US/Eastern)	Match	Result	Stage	Venue
Jun-09	02:30pm	Netherlands - Italy	3:0	Group C	Berne
Jun-13	02:30pm	Netherlands - France	4:1	Group C	Berne
Jun-17	02:30pm	Netherlands - Romania	2:0	Group C	Berne
Jun-21	02:30pm	Netherlands - Russia	1:3	Quarter-Finals	Basel

Netherlands at Euro 2008

	Group C France Italy Netherlands Romania View all group C details

Netherlands- Third time lucky?

The Netherlands have reached the semi-finals of the last two European Championships, only to then disappoint. Euro2000, the tournament that the Dutch co-hosted with Belgium, typified their biggest problem: failure to hold their nerve.  After having ten-man Italy on the ropes for the majority of the match, the Dutch contrived to miss two penalties during regular time, and only converted once in the penalty shoot-out. The Netherlands simply self-destructed when they should have seized the opportunity to play the Final on home soil.   The most pressing question now is whether the Netherlands can get past Italy, France, and Romania.  If they can qualify for the next round from Group C, then they will fancy themselves to go all the way.  After all, to negotiate a way past the World Champions, the vice World Champions, and a Romanian side that they failed to score against in two qualifying games is the real acid test of quality. Coach Marco van Basten, however, does not convince.  His Dutch side ignominiously exited the second round of the last World Cup—in that infamous game against Portugal that produced 12 yellow and 4 red cards—but he was still kept on.  Many argued that his side were still too wet behind the ears, and in two years they would come into their own.  However, that has not been the case. Given that their qualification group was relatively easy,  the Netherlands scored a somewhat meager fifteen goals.  A country that prides itself on its creative football has to do better.

How Netherlands qualified

In second place behind Romania. They had the good fortune of an easy group, with Bulgaria and Romania providing the only real threat.

How Netherlands  play

Van Basten has used both a 4-4-2 and a 3-4-3 formation during qualifiers. At the tournament, he will most probably opt for the former to shore up the defence. The crafty Clarence Seedorf will slot in alongside Real Madrid’s Wesley Sneijder in midfield. In attack, the Netherlands have the peerless Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will probably partner Robin van Persie. The Netherlands’ biggest problem has been scoring goals, which is a surprising shortcoming given the embarrassment of riches Van Basten has in attack.

About the coach

The former Milan player has not convinced as coach of his country. His Netherlands team lack both character and a definite shape.  Van Basten will step down as coach after this summer, so he will be eager to leave on a high note.

Key players

Wesley Sneijder- He is only twenty-three, but Sneijder plays with an authority that belies his age. Though a very small player, Sneijder compensates with accurate passing.  He is also useful at set-pieces.   Robin van Persie- The Arsenal forward has been struggling with injury this season, and that has hampered his progress at his club.   Despite that, Van Persie has set Highbury alight on a few occasions this past year, and he is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Dutch players. He scored four goals in seven appearances during the qualifiers.

Star player

Ruud van Nistelrooy- Real Madrid’s goal machine will have to use his experience to guide the numerous youngsters in the squad and to keep the goals flowing.  A lot depends on Ruud.  

Verdict

A first-round exit is the only likely outcome for the Dutch.  Unfortunately, they have done nothing in the last two years to warrant a more favourable prediction.

Article by Hasan Saiyid

Netherlands Euro 2008 News

• Cyprus looking to upset Lippi’s reigning world champions (Gulf Times)NICOSIA: Lowly Cyprus are confident of causing a major upset when they kick off against world champions Italy in their Group 8 qualifier today. With Cyprus ranked 65th in the FIFA ratings and Italy second only to Euro champions Spain, the minnows of World football are given little chance of success.
• Domenech under pressure as France loses (Fox Sports)The pressure is building on France boss Raymond Domenech after a humiliating loss to Austria in World Cup qualifying.
• French coach under pressure after loss to Austria (Sports Illustrated)CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) -- The pressure is building on France coach Raymond Domenech after a humiliating 3-1 loss to Austria gave Les Bleus a dismal start in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
• France desperate for victory against Serbia (Fox Sports)UEFA WCQ Preview: France's match against Serbia suddenly looks a lot trickier after its humiliating opening loss.
• England face Croatia test as qualifiers continue (Daily Mirror)England will aim to put an end to their Croatia jinx on Wednesday when the sides continue their rivalry in Zagreb with World Cup qualifying points at stake.
• Soccer-Romania coach under fire after loss to Lithuania (Reuters via Yahoo! Canada News)Romanian soccer coach Victor Piturca's job could be in danger after a "shameful" home defeat against Lithuania in their World Cup qualifier, officials and the media warned on Sunday.
• Cyprus looking to upset Lippi's reigning world champions (AFP via Yahoo! News) Lowly Cyprus are confident of causing a major upset when they kick off against world champions Italy in their Group 8 qualifier on Saturday.