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EURO 2008

Netherlands is another team in the group of death besides Italy, France and Romania. Despite qualifying for Euro, the dutch has never shown its real potential during the qualifying stage. Finishing only second behind Romania and scores only 15 goals out of 12 games, the so called "Total Football" that everyone look from Netherlands just never showed up. Marco Van Basten was a good striker during his playing days but so far he is unable to transform his attacking method for the Dutch national team. The Group G joint top scorers with 6 goals are Berbatov, Martin Petrov and Adrian Mutu. Robin Van Persie is Netherlands' top scorer in the qualifying stage with 4 goals and this is not good for the Dutch as Van Persie is still unable to play for full 90 minutes during friendly matches. Ruud van Nistelrooy is still a quality striker but he is having up and down season with Real Madrid with injuries hampering his progress through the season. Dirk Kuyt was positioned as a right winger in Liverpool tactics, therefore he didn't score as much goals as his first season with the Reds. Klass-Jan Huntelaar is the only Dutch striker that is having good season with his club, this is a worrying situation for Netherlands. The 23 players selected to represent Netherlands are:


Goalkeepers

• 1 Edwin van der Sar
  
• 13 Henk Timmer
  
• 16 Maarten Stekelenburg
  

Defenders
• 2 André Ooijer
  
• 3 Johnny Heitinga
  
• 4 Joris Mathijsen
  
• 5 Giovanni van Bronckhorst
  
• 12 Mario Melchiot
  
• 14 Wilfred Bouma
  
• 15 Tim de Cler
  
• 21 Khalid Boulahrouz
  

Midfielders

• 6 Demy de Zeeuw
• 8 Orlando Engelaar
• 10 Wesley Sneijder
  
• 11 Arjen Robben
• 17 Nigel de Jong
• 20 Ibrahim Afellay
• 23 Rafael van der Vaart

Forwards
• 7 Robin van Persie
• 9 Ruud van Nistelrooy
• 18 Dirk Kuyt
  
• 19 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
• 22 Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

The Dutch also having the same problem with Italy, one of their key players are forced to sit out of the tournament because of injury. Ryan Babel having a good season with Liverpool is expected to play as a substitute role that can expose tired defenders using his explosive style of play. He has done this with Liverpool either coming off from the bench or when starting from the first minute but so far with the national team he is limited to the bench but he can be one of the key players to unlock a team with stubborn defense. Injury are familiar with the national team for other players also as van Nisterlrooy, Robben and van Persie spent much of last season with their clubs on the sidelines. Even though van Bastern had an injury riddled season with Milan before Euro '88 where he shines and guide Dutch to the glory, this situation is different.

Netherlands' probable formation is:

Van Der Sar

Ooijer Heitinga Mathijsen Van Bronckhorst

De Zeeuw Engelaar

Robben Sneijder Van der Vaart

Nistelrooy


Of course this is not the definite formation for the Netherlands as van Persie or Kuyt can easily slot into the formation and both players just like Robben and van der Vaart are adaptable to play in both wings which could be one of the major strength in the attacking tactics as both wingers can switch position smoothly to unlock the defence of the opposition. This is where people keep asking why such an attacking force only scores a handful of goals in the qualifying stage? van Nistelrooy and Huntelaar both are predator in the penalty box with all the wingers have the ability to deliver quality assists to the strikers as well as scoring goals themselves. The only downside of this formation is that it will be hard to up against a team that plays defensive and counting on counter attack. It is clearly that in this formation, the key is not in the 4 attackers but in 2 defensive midfielder. De Zeeuw and Engelaar are both untested in big competition like Euro and could be the main weakness of this formation.

De Zeeuw himself didn't enjoy the best of season with AZ Alkmaar but he is a favourite in the midfield for Marco van Basten, starting in the last six qualifying match plus the friendlies. He is a good midfielder that certainly can win balls and even though might not be as mobile as Edgar Davids, he posses his own quality as a classic central midfielder. On the other hand, Engelaar even more unheard of than his midfield partner. There are several players that can play in his position and his place is the only one that not secured at all. The powerhouse midfielder has a good passing skill that can slices up defences when needed. Despite of this, Engelaar is only called up as the replacement of Clarence Seedorf who withdraw from the squad shortly before van Basten named his final line-up. I might be wrong putting him in the first eleven as he might not even be there for the first match as van Basten got several defenders that can play as a defensive midfielder when needed. Heitinga, Ooijer, van Bronckhorst and Nigel de Jong who is very adapt as a central midfielder for his club and country. Netherlands might be facing hard time against Italy, France and Romania (who is the top of the qualifying group in Netherlands' group G). Their first game against Italy could be a crucial step for their progress to becoming once again the champion of Europe. The world champion has a very strong squad despite the loss of Fabio Cannavaro due to injury. My prediction that Netherlands will be either in the 2nd or 3rd place in the group battling against France for that 2nd place spot that will send them through to the next round.

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FOOTBALL


EURO 2008 is coming soon into our television and of course this is no small matter to all the football fans all over the world. EURO not only viewed by European only but almost all countries in the whole world will set their eyes on this tournament. Scouts from different clubs coming from various countries will watch any player on their shortlist. Tournament like usually will increase a price of a player that plays well and clubs will be sure to wrap the deal for their targets before the tournament or at the very least at the beginning of the tournament. There are several players that still undecided regarding their future that will compete in Euro '08. Valencia had a lot of trouble last season and even though they ended up winning Copa Del Rey, their season is not something to be remembered by fans. 3 managers last season is a good evidence on how Valencia is having trouble last season. Many players will get the ax during the transfer window and maybe..just maybe David Villa will be one of those player that checking out of Mestalla.

17 million pounds are reported to be the tag price of David Villa. Even though he will not decide his future until after Euro, moving to Premier League maybe a good idea for him. He is lethal, has a very good technique and not afraid to get physical, I have no doubt that he will be quickly adapting just like Torres last season. The only problem is whether he will choose the right club to move. Real Madrid touted to be one of the front runner for his signature but this will certainly not too be a brilliant move for him as Madrid now have enough attacking power in their arsenal and David Villa will eventually be surplus to requirements. Chelsea and Arsenal will be a good choice for Villa. Chelsea will need to get rid Sheva and Pizza if they want to land the Valencia striker. It depends on who is going to be the manager for Chelsea next season. Villa need to be positioned as a forward, either a pure striker up front or as a forward that support the main striker, he can fit in both roles perfectly. If he will be used in the wing like Anelka mostly last season, then it will be a waste of money for Chelsea. Arsenal is another option for Villa but this will be highly unlikely since Wenger has stated that no big name will come in this transfer window but anything can happen in football. Villa will be perfect to duet with Adebayor up front with Ade will be playing as a target man and he also can pulls defender away from Villa with his technique. Spurs is another London club related with Villa but I don't think it will be a good move for him to Spurs as he will not play in Champions League next season but surprise are common in football world and expect one coming to you in this transfer window.

Another news related with Euro '08 is the injury of Italy captain, Fabio Cannavaro. As an Italy fan this is not a good news but it maybe just the right moment for the younger defenders to step up and prove themselves that they can replace the Canna-Nesta generation in the heart of Italy's defence which has been solid for a few years (until Nesta retired just after World Cup '06). Despite calling up Alessandro Gamberini, Giorgio Chiellini is expected to fill in the gap for Canna as a partner for Barzagli while Grosso and Zambrotta will take the wide position. Chiellini was originally a left back before being converted into a center back due to the injuries suffered by Juve defenders. He is tall, strong and quick and have experience as a central defender for Juve. He will be a suitable replacement for Canna and hopefully no scouts will be too much interested in him as I would like him to stay at Juve for life! (As I am a Juve fan of course..). I think Italy will do well in the Euro '08 despite placed in the group of death together with Netherlands and France. Italy's probable formation will be:

4-3-3

Buffon

Zambrotta Barzagli Chiellini Grosso

Gattuso Pirlo De Rossi

Camoranesi Toni Di Natale

Zambrotta can possibly shifted to the left in order for Panucci to take his place on the right back. This will give more aerial power to Italy as Panucci usually scores from set piece. Either way the formation has no weaknesses on it and should help Italy all the way to the final of the Euro '08.
Di Natale has been in a stunning form this season both for club and national team. The explosive winger could torment the defenders in Euro as there are not many defenders that will be familiar with him. Del Piero and Cassano are standing by just in case Camo and Di Natale under perform in Euro. Italy has no shortage of talent at all and justified as the favourite to win the championship.