Euro 2008 hasn’t even started yet, but that hasn’t stopped so many pundits who have been writing off Holland’s chances of success in the tournament. The critics keep on pointing at the Dutch defense as a weakness, but what they’re forgetting is the Oranje’s power in midfield and up front.An integral part of that attack will be Dutch left winger Wesley Sneijder. Born in Utrecht, the 23-year-old midfielder plays his football week-in week-out for Real Madrid. The Dutch winger, who can also play on the right, was such a pivotal player in Real’s success this past season. So often Sneijder floated balls from the left wing into the box with inch-perfect crosses and passes to clinical finishers such as fellow Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, Raul and Robinho — to name just a few.The Netherlands has the difficult task of getting out of their first round group, nicknamed the Group Of Death. Opponents that Sneijder and his teammates will be going up against are Italy, Romania and France.Over at
Euro2008Statistics.com, the web site rates “the left-footed strike of the Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder” among the best of the best in the tournament. Capped by his country 43 times (with 8 goals), Sneijder has made 30 appearances for Real Madrid and scored an impressive 9 goals.Left footed players are a rare quality. Just ask England. While the Netherlands are arguably weak in the back, the Dutch should be able to counter that by maintaining more possession in midfield and scoring more goals. Wesley Sneijder, the Dutch winger, will be a key component of Holland’s success.
