New Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has admitted that he was attracted by the opportunity to work
in the Premier League with Liverpool.
The 61-year-old was linked with both the manager's job and a role as sporting director at Anfield
following the dismissal of Kenny Dalglish, but Brendan Rodgers was eventually appointed.
Louis van Gaal took the 'Oranje oath' today and in doing so,
returned to his unenviable position as Dutch national coach after a decade. Sure, The
Netherlands are an emotionally-stricken side at the moment, but you could almost say the
same for Italy and Portugal after what happened to them
at Euro 2012.
Along with Spain and Germany, the Dutch were pre-tournament favourites, but they went home with
three losses out of three games and exit Euro 2012 along with the Irish as the only teams to have
gained zero points for their efforts in Poland & Ukraine.
Crushed Oranje: What next for the Dutch? is a post from: Just Football
Euro 2012 will go down as a tournament to forget for the Netherlands. Now with the coach
falling on his sword, who's up next? Making his debut for Just Football,
Dutch-based football writer Michiel Jongsma reports:
Many have criticized Cristiano Ronaldo for waiting until the fifth shot -- an opportunity that
never came -- to step up to the spot in Portugal's penalty kicks loss to Spain on Wednesday in the
Euro 2012 semifinals.
It's Offbeat Wednesday again! This week, Shakira's father denies pregnancy gossip, the Van der
Vaarts head to Saint Tropez, The Rooneys head to LA, Carlos Tevez builds sandcastles for his
daughters in Miami and Kaka wins the King of Cheesy Family photos.
After Holland's nightmare of an elimination from the group stages of the Euro 2012 (admit it
het is een nachtmerrie!
If Arsene Wenger's latest comments are any indication, Robin van Persie won't be leaving Arsenal
this summer.
Van Persie has been widely speculated to be making a move from the Emirates, coming off a
career-best season in which he won the Premier League golden boot with 30 goals and captured the
PFA Player of the Year award.
Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk is bitterly disappointed after his side's 2-1 loss to
Portugal yesterday evening confirmed their elimination from Euro 2012.
While the head coach took accountability for a highly fancied Dutch side's three-defeat showing
in the group stage, he also made it clear that the World Cup runners-up were beaten in all their
matches due to below-par performances from main stars.
The dust finally settled for Group B with Germany and Portugal progressing to the next phase of
European Championship 2012. Favourites, Germany went through by virtue of winning all 3 of their
group matches while their victim in that very first match, Portugal joined them after picking up 2
consecutive wins.
The dust finally settled for Group B with Germany and Portugal progressing to the next phase of
European Championship 2012. Favourites, Germany went through by virtue of winning all 3 of their
group matches while their victim in that very first match, Portugal joined them after picking up 2
consecutive wins.
Portugal progress as Ronaldo returns to form - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Group B threw up two enthralling and captivating games on Sunday night, as four good teams were
all still in the mix to qualify for the quarter-finals ahead of play. Germany overcame a dogged
Denmark side 2-1 to progress through to the last eight, whilst
Portugal were inspired by captain Cristiano Ronaldo to also win 2-1 against Netherlands and
finish as runners up in the pool.
For the second time in a row: it's D-day for Oranje. But this time, they REALLY need to win this
match. Last Wednesday the high hopes they had didn't result in a victory. After a good start for
the Dutch NT they couldn't finish it and the German team won with 1-2. Today that result won't be
enough.
Two years ago they were in the World Cup final, now the Netherlands are on the brink of exiting
Euro 2012 at the first hurdle
Bert van Marwijk's side need some fortune from old rivals Germany to survive in the tournament
as the Dutch sit bottom of Group B with no points to show from their two games so far.
This article titled "Euro 2012 paper review: Holland despair over black night for Oranje" was
written by Sachin Nakrani, for guardian.co.uk on Thursday 14th June 2012 08.25 UTC
Sometimes you do not need a love of foreign languages, or a co-operative translator on hand, to
understand a message from overseas.
Ruthless Germany looking ominous in early Euro 2012 - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Wednesday night served up two exciting and enthralling Euro 2012 fixtures, with the ‘group of
death' starting to take shape. Portugal made it hard for themselves in beating Denmark but got
there with a late goal, whilst early favourites Germany continued their winning streak by all-but
damning Netherlands to a competition exit.
This article titled "Euro 2012: Wesley Sneijder slams 'pathetic egos' in Holland team" was
written by Marcus Christenson, for guardian.co.uk on Wednesday 13th June 2012 10.53 UTC
Wesley Sneijder has hit out at the "pathetic egos" inside the Holland squad as they prepare to
face Germany on Wednesday night.
Do-or-die for golden generation of Dutch football - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Violence marred the Group A clash between Poland and Russia on Tuesday night, as 100 supporters
were arrested in the build-up to the first game in the second round of fixtures. A fantastic
equaliser ensured the home team got a point from the game, whilst Czech Republic gave their
campaign a shot of life with a 2-1 win over Greece.
This article titled "Euro 2012: Robin van Persie running out of time to collect his medals" was
written by Kevin McCarra, for guardian.co.uk on Tuesday 12th June 2012 12.20 UTC
Robin van Persie must sometimes sigh over his medals. There are too few for a Holland striker of
such accomplishment.
In the last few days, the Dutch national team has been left reeling
from their shock opening defeat to Denmark. So the first thing they did on Sunday
morning was to have a roll on the grass. You know how therapeutic lying in the sun can be,
especially during such difficult moments and van Bommel, Sneijder and Afellay did
just that during their stretching sessions.
Denmark's unlikely victory over the Netherlands on Saturday proves you cannot take anything for
granted in international football and gives England and Ireland hope that the unfancied teams can
triumph at Euro 2012.
The Danes, marshalled at the back by Daniel Agger and Simon Kjaer, put on an outstanding defensive
display to deny Robin van Persie and co to throw Group B wide open and leave many who had predicted
the Dutch as potential winners of the tournament looking silly.
Euro 2012 News: Spain v Italy, The Irish have Long-Cox and Denmark defy Euro 2012 odds -
originally posted on Soccerlens.com
After two close games in the group of death, Sunday sees holders and world champions Spain start
their campaign, with a troubled Italy side first up for Vicente del Bosque's men (get the best bets
on Spain v Italy here).
A quick one for you today, since an emergency at work, and an early hangover following my wine
tasting marathon, have conspired to ensure I've only had a couple of hours sleep.
Yesterday's games at Euro 2012 saw Denmark pull off a shock as they beat the Netherlands 1-0 in
a result that makes group B very interesting.
To paraphrase cutting-edge pop trio Bros, this shock result has put the car among the pigeons.
The Netherlands dominated the game in terms of possession and indeed shots on goal, but just
couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.
That scenario is  something that Robin Van Persie will be well used to with Arsenal, with the
striker failing to make the most of a number of chances.
1. Euro 2012 has its first mini-shock. Denmark were supposed to be the poor relatives of the Group
of Death. This has thrown a cat and a pigeon into the applecart. 2. Netherlands missed so many
chances that they looked they would've struggled to score in one of Amsterdam's seedier districts.
3. The Danes were [.
After an exciting experience representing my country during the world cup two years ago, I am
very happy to reprise my role as Dutch Futbolita for this European Championship. During the next
couple of weeks (let's hope Oranje will participate all the way to the end of the show) I will
update you all on the Dutch NT and the way the Euros are perceived in Holland.
The Netherlands begin the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament against Denmark in Group B play. The match
will take place at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine with kickoff scheduled for 18:00 local
time.
Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk
"They say they're going to be underdogs and I think so as well, but that doesn't mean it's going
to be easy for us.
This article titled "Euro 2012: Holland camp unsettled by differing views on 'racist' abuse" was
written by Paul Wilson in Kharkiv, for The Guardian on Friday 8th June 2012 19.55 UTC
Fault lines are developing within the Dutch squad over the alleged racist jeering at their open
training session in Krakow this week.
Euro 2012 News: Racism, John Terry, Ireland's stroll in the park and the next psychic -
originally posted on Soccerlens.com
After weeks of waiting, squad announcements, international friendlies and travel plans being
sorted, Euro 2012 is finally here! The first day of this three week-long journey sees the co-hosts
Poland in action against Greece and Russia take on Czech Republic, as a tight Group A will look to
take shape.
Fulham's supporters just put the icing on the cake for Clint Dempsey's historic season.
The club announced Thursday that Dempsey has been voted Fulham's Player of the Season by the
club's fans for the second straight year. The honor comes as no surprise for the 29-year-old, who
scored 23 goals in all competitions despite logging most of his minutes in the Cottagers'
midfield.
"Because he[RvP] is one of the best no10's in the world" Van Marwijk.
The Dutch national manager Bert van Marwijk opted to play RvP behind the striker, in the no10
position, against Portugal last Sunday. He was desperate to turn things round and for once he gave
in to the strong calls in Holland to play Huntelaar, the Bundeslega top scorer, and RvP, the PL top
scorer, together up front.
"Because he[RvP] is one of the best no10's in the world" Van Marwijk.
The Dutch national manager Bert van Marwijk opted to play RvP behind the striker, in the no10
position, against Portugal last Sunday. He was desperate to turn things round and for once he gave
in to the strong calls in Holland to play Huntelaar, the Bundeslega top scorer, and RvP, the PL top
scorer, together up front.
Countries have always had footballing stereotypes attached to them, often unwittingly reflecting
the nation's wider living philosophy. Erstwhile West Germany were all about strict formations,
defensive discipline and attacking organization; conversely, the Latin American countries exercised
their creative license with exuberance, as the samba beat of attacking laterals replaced the stoic
violin of conservative full-backs.
The Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie managed to score his usual excellent goal in Holland's defeat
against Germany but has been roundly critized in the Dutch press for the amount of shots he has
been missing in the two games at the Euros so far. His manager, Bert Van Marwijk, has decided to
come out [.
Two first half goals by Mario Gomez have all but assured Germany's place in the quarter-finals
and left Holland needing to be Portugal by three clear goals if they are to have any hope of
progressing in the competition.
Holland's camp has been torn apart by infighting between players and the duo at the centre of
the Dutch storm, Rafael van der Vaart and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were once again left on the
bench.
After their shock 1-0 defeat to Denmark on Saturday, the Netherlands faces a must-win game
against rivals Germany tomorrow. Lose, against a Germany side that comprehensively outplayed them
in a November friendly, and the Dutch can forget about becoming European champions. Holland will be
the first casualties of the Euros "group of death".
Daniel Agger skippered Denmark to an unexpected victory in their Group B opener against one of the
tournament's favourites Netherlands on Saturday night.
The Dutch side boasted an attacking line-up that featured some of the most talented players in
European football, like Arsenal's Robin van Persie, Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder and Bayern
Munich's Arjen Robben.
The next manager to try and help the Netherlands finally meet expectations is a man who has
tried before.
Louis Van Gaal has replaced Bert van Marwijk as manager of the Dutch national team, taking the
same job he previously held from 2000 to 2001, when he led the Netherlands in a failed bid to
qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Morten Olsen's Denmark are desperate for victory against much-favoured Germany, having put
themselves in a strong position after beating the Netherlands in their opening Group B game.
Late defeat to Portugal followed, leaving the Danes needing a win against Joachim Low's side in
the group of death.
And so it begins. Following the many warnings about racial abuse and violence in Poland and
Ukraine, the BBC investigation revealing ugly incidents during matches and UEFA's ruling that
players will be booked for fleeing abuse, the first reported racist incident has already taken
place a full day before Euro 12 even starts.
