They love a good argument those Dutch...

Group C
Holland


Odds to win: 14/1
Previous best: Champions in 1988
Gaffer's pedigree: In a continuing theme about managers' hair, we notice that Marco’s gone for a military crew cut. Which has obviously offended Clarence Seedorf and Mark van Bommel, who have refused to play for him. Which is just so Dutch.
He might do alright: If Robin van Persie stays fit throughout, his left boot could well light up the tournament. Not literally, there are floodlights for that sort of thing.
How did he get in? Wigan’s Mario Melchiot, Blackburn’s Andre Ooijer, Chelsea’s Khalid Boulahrouz. And you wonder why we’ve tipped them to finish bottom.
Stick your money on: More feuds to split the camp. Seedorf and van Bommel may be gone, but there’s still Van Nistelrooy, and he loves a good verbal scrap.
Wag Watch: Rafael van der Vaart is not one for in-fighting. Probably because he comes home to his gorgeous wife Sylvie every night. The swine.
If they were a celeb: Dale Winton. Orange.
Obligatory translation feature: “Laat ons kalme beneden en spreek rationeel het door” (“Let’s calm down and talk it through rationally”)
Prediction: Bottom in their group following a stormy tournament.

Posted by: Lex