Euro 2008, euro2008featured
Brilliant, but too briefly
Tim Wigmore looks back on the Netherland's Euro campaign as a sizzling start in the group stages failed to help them beyond the quarter-finals.
Holland celebrate one of their 10 goals
Euro 2008 Team Review: Holland
How did they do? Magical in their twin thrashings of Italy and especially France, the technical prowess, ease on the ball and attacking nature led many pundits to compare them with the vintage Dutch side that won the trophy so spectacularly 20 years ago. Along came Russia, however, who deservedly defeated them in a pulsating quarter-final.
High While the 3-0 defeat of Italy may have flattered Holland a little, the 4-1 thrashing of France was a joy to behold. France were overwhelmed by the plethora of wonderful attacking options at Holland’s disposal. The moment that will linger most in the memory is Arjen Robben’s trickery, followed by a thunderbolt, to return Holland’s two-goal lead almost as soon as Henry had made it 2-1. Fearless, expansive and supremely skilled football in the true Dutch tradition.
Low Extra-time against Russia. Russia had less than 72 hours to prepare for the clash; Holland’s first-choice men had eight days. So why did Holland wilt while Russia’s energy reserves knew no bounds? Russia’s performance was truly exceptional - but Holland were a pitiful imitation of the side who had dismantled Italy and France. Their play lacked cohesiveness, and, unlike earlier in the tournament, they evoked old cliches about the Dutch being more a collection of individuals and less a team. A sad end for a country who so thrilled earlier in the tournament.
Coach Marco van Basten had already agreed to joining Ajax prior to the tournament. Alas, he was unable to repeat the magic of 1988 against the same opposition. They would love Guus Hiddink, who took them so close to the World Cup final in 1998 to return, but that is a fanciful prospect.
Key player Wesley Sneijder: a creative force of the highest order in midfield, who contributed goals against both World Cup finalists. But his contribution far exceeded mere goals. The Real Madrid star’s sheer excellence in central midfield served to confirm his immense class.
What next? The international retirement of Edwin Van der Sar, a Dutch great of 128 caps, does not detract from the rich attacking potential of this side. In Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael Van der Vaart, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt, they have a series of potent attacking forces who should light up World Cup 2010 too. But improvements in a shaky defence are needed if they are to reach the semis.
Match stats
| ITALY | 0 | 3 | HOLLAND Van Nistelrooy 26 Sneijder 31 Van Bronckhorst 80 |
| FRANCE Henry 71 |
1 | 4 | HOLLAND Kuyt 10 Van Persie 59 Robben 72 Sneijder 90 |
| ROMANIA | 0 | 2 | HOLLAND Huntelaar 54 Van Persie 87 |
| RUSSIA Pavluchenko 56 Torbinsky 112 Arshavin 116 |
3 | 1 | HOLLAND Van Nistelrooy 86 |
| Group D | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | HOLLAND | 3 | 8 | 9 |
| 2 | ITALY | 3 | -1 | 5 |
| 3 | ROMANIA | 3 | -2 | 2 |
| 4 | FRANCE | 3 | -5 | 1 |
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i don’t think that enough fault is being handed to van basten for not being more tacticaly asute compared to hiddink… to use up all of his subs well before the 90 minutes was up was surely a mistake.. and not to put on more attacking pressure on the russians… guus 1 van-basten nil…