How they got there: Holland qualified for Euro 2008 with wins against Group G teams Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Albania.
Coach - Marco van Basten: He may have been the darling of the 1988 European Championship-winning team but the jury is out on his term as Oranje coach. He will leave his post after the finals and some would say it is not a minute too soon.
Star player - Ruud van Nistelrooy: Back in the side after a major fall-out with Van Basten, the former Manchester United man is heavily relied upon for goals and there are few more natural finishers and poachers in the game than the Real Madrid striker.
Tactics: Van Basten has tried 4-3-3 and even 4-2-4 but neither seems to suit the players at his disposal.
Strengths: Individually the Dutch have immense talent and any one of Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder or Arjen Robben can win games on their own.
Weaknesses: The Dutch look dodgy at the back, tactically uncomfortable and still possess their traditional self-destructive streak. Oh, and they're in the 'Group of Death'.
Verdict: First-round exit for the first time in 24 years.
If they were a band they would be: Pet Shop Boys
Helpful translation- "Wij vonden Totale voetbal uit, weet u het." is "We invented Total Football, you know."
