DUTCH STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN FOOTBALL REPUTATION

Euro 2008 will provide important testing ground for the Dutch football team,
which has run into trouble in recent years.Despite ranking seventh in the world, Marco van Basten's team appears neither as strong, let alone glamorous, as previous Dutch sides - highlighted by a meagre 15 goals in 12 qualifying games.

The biggest national team success was the Euro 1988 title in Germany, plus two runner-up finishes at the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. Since the Dutch have to play Italy, France and Romania, the test will be serious. read more (expatica.com)

more features

December 5, 2007