How are Netherlands preparing for Euro 2012?

Having announced his provisional squad, Bert van Marwijk and his team will gather in Hoenderloo in a week's time for a brief training camp on home soil. They will then travel to Lausanne, Switzerland on May 17 to prepare for the friendly games against Bayern Munich (May 22), Bulgaria (May 26), Slovakia (May 30) and Northern Ireland (June 2). The Dutch team will depart for Poland on June 4, where they will set up their base in Krakow in the Sheraton Hotel before facing Denmark in their opening game on June 9.

What is Netherlands' realistic target for Euro 2012?

Regardless of the circumstances, Oranje always see themselves as one of the favourites at a big tournament, and their second-place finish in the 2010 World Cup final has only further heightened expectations for Euro 2012. Although they have been drawn in the so-called Group of Death, anything less than reaching the semi-finals will be seen as failure. Netherlands have not won anything since Euro 1988, but they have set their sights on the title in Poland-Ukraine.

What is Netherlands' toughest group game?

Although Netherlands have also struggled against Portugal in recent years and were eliminated by the Iberians both at Euro 2004 and at the 2006 World Cup, it's the match against Germany the Dutch fear the most. Joachim Low's men are one of the favourites to win the tournament and a 3-0 friendly loss in 2011 proved the Germans are a force to be reckoned with. Matches between the neighbouring football giants are traditionally tense affairs, and a tough task awaits Van Marwijk and his troops on June 13.


Are there any injury or fitness concerns?

Ibrahim Afellay only recently returned to match action after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury, and it remains to be seen whether he'll be fit enough to feature at the Euros. Players such as Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Gregory van der Wiel have all missed several games due to injury this term, but all seem to be ready to go and recharged ahead of the finals. Left-back Erik Pieters has been ruled out of the tournament due to a foot injury.

Could there be any surprise call-ups for Euro 2012?
Van Marwijk is quite a conservative coach and there won't be too many surprises in his squad for the championship. However, there are a few wingers who could make the cut despite a lack of experience at international level. Promising youngsters such as Luciano Narsingh and Ola John have impressed this term and received a call-up for Oranje's last friendly game against England, and they'll be dreaming of making the team. Another option for Van Marwijk could be Ajax winger Derk Boerrigter, who hasn't featured for Oranje yet, but could add some much needed pace to the team down the left wing.

What is the biggest issue for the coach to resolve?

Van Marwijk is spoilt for choice in attack. In Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie, Oranje have two of the most prolific goalscorers around in Europe in their squad, but the Dutch generally only play with one real striker. The coach will therefore either have to bench one of his stars, or play Van Persie out of position in order to include both attackers in his line-up. Another concern for Van Marwijk is whether to play with two holding midfielders or just one partnered with a more attack-minded player, but he's likely to stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation because of the tough opponents in Group B.