Netherlands

Coach: Bert Van Marwijk
Group: E
Region: Europe

Despite having had some footballing greats like Johan Cruff, Marco Van Basten play for them, memories of their ‘sexy football’ and constant homage paid to Van Basten’s amazing volleyed goal, Holland have in fact never won the World Cup. The Oranjes have gone close, finishing runners up in two consecutive tournaments, 1982 and 1986. The Dutch will be playing their eighth World Cup finals and topped their group in qualification with eight wins out of eight.

The Oranje have been in impressive form in the run up to South Africa, hitting six goals in last week’s warm-up game against Hungary. The victory came at a price though with Robben limping off injured and now a doubt for the World Cup. The former Chelsea man has been in superb form, helping his club side Bayern Munich to a domestic double and chipping in with some invaluable goals during the Germans’ Champions League campaign. They find themselves in Group E and kick off their campaign against Denmark on the 14th June. Japan and Cameroon make up the rest of the group, a group that could prove trickier than some believe.

Denmark has a great record at getting through the group stages, Japan have the work-rate and fitness and Cameroon are solid and uncompromising. Bookmakers hotly tip the Netherlands putting them 5th favourites to lift the cup behind Spain, Brazil, Argentina and England. Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie is also 5th favourite to leave South Africa with the Golden Boot. The star has been laid off with injury for the majority of the season but the Gunner should be fit, fresh and hungry to make an impact in the orange shirt of his nation.

The Netherlands' 23-man squad

Goalkeepers: Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Arsenal)

Pete Guest