As we countdown to the World Cup we preview the sides taking part. Today it's Holland's turn.
As we countdown to the start of the World Cup on June 11, Fox Soccer's Jamie Trecker will preview each of the 32 teams playing in South Africa and tell you everything you need to know about each nation represented at the world's greatest sporting event. Here he looks at Holland.
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, a modern, bustling industrialized society and a charter member of both NATO and the EU. A leader in electronics (Phillips), fuel (Royal Dutch Shell) and liquor (Heineken), the Netherlands are considered by some to be the world's first capitalist society, with a legacy of trade stretching back centuries and the continent's first active stock exchange.
Historically linked with Belgium and Luxembourg, the Netherlands gained prosperity in the 18th century through the port of Amsterdam and the success of the Dutch East India Trading Company. The country is referred to as Holland, and the team has worn the name on their national team jerseys. Sticklers will note, however, that the name is at best ambiguous and at worst incorrect as Holland is actually a region inside the Netherlands.
Largely an artificial country - the land on which the Netherlands sits was reclaimed painstakingly by the country's vast series of dykes and dams - the nation has the world's ninth largest economy and is one of the most densely populated. Famed for its windmills, tulip bulbs (speculation in which caused one of the more famous economic disasters in history) and clogs, the Netherlands is a picturesque place.
The House of Orange has been in power since 1814. Queen Beatrix (who celebrated her silver jubilee in 2005) wields little political power domestically, but retains a large say in international policies.
The Dutch are considered to be among the most tolerant people on the planet, reflected in their laissez-faire attitude towards prostitution and "soft" drugs in major cities such as Amsterdam.
PAST WORLD CUP SUCCESS:
The Netherlands has reached the World Cup finals a total of ten times, and are considered the best team never to have won the trophy. In 1974 and again in 1978, the Netherlands finished in second place, losing in the finals to West Germany and Argentina (both were the host country), respectively. After an exit in the semi-finals in 1998, the Netherlands failed to qualify for 2002's World Cup. In 2006, Portugal ejected them in the knockout round in what is widely considered to be one of the ugliest World Cup games ever played, with 16 cards shown including four dismissals. Holland is also a three-time bronze medalist in the Olympic Games (1908, 1912, 1920).
REGIONAL SUCCESS:
European champions in 1988, and have made to either the quarters or semis in every European Championship staged since.
LEAGUE OVERVIEW:
The Eredivisie was once one of Europe's top leagues, consistently contributing major teams such as Ajax Amsterdam, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven to the Champions League and Uefa Cup. Today, it's a bit faded as England, Italy, Spain and Germany have taken their best players. Ajax is a four-time winner of the European Cup, with PSV and Feyenoord also boasting one title apiece.
MANAGER:
Bert van Marwijk. He's got a lot of club experience in Holland - and one not-so-great tenure in Germany with Borussia Dortmund - but he's well-respected and seems to be a calming influence on a side that has often been torn apart by dissent.
KEY PLAYERS:
A lot of talent here. Mark van Bommel (Bayern) was key for Bayern during their run to the European Cup final, and he's going to be the steady influence here as well. One of his opponents in that final, Wesley Sneijder, is no slouch either. And while we're talking about magicians, how about Arjen Robben, who single-handedly got Bayern into the finals? Robin van Persie (Arsenal) has returned from a bad injury and looks healthy and deadly. The only hiccup? In the net, where they sorely miss Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), who retired from international competition. Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax) is his replacement, and he's not anywhere near van der Sar's level.
FIFA RANKINGS:
4th. Highest was 2nd (last year) and lowest was 25th (1998)
FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS:
Cameroon, Denmark, Japan.
PERCENTAGE CHANCE TO PROGRESS:
100%
