The Dutch Need To Dig Deep To Beat Sweden
IT is going to take something special at Euro 2004 to beat Sweden, the great all-rounders of the tournament to date.
The Netherlands, though, may be just the team to provide it in today's quarter-final at the Algarve Stadium after finally stumbling upon their best team and the right tactics.
"Everyone in the Dutch team is relaxed now and we all know exactly what we're doing," midfielder Philip Cocu said after their great escape from Group D with a 3-0 win over Latvia.
"Sweden will be tough opponents .. but in the quarter finals there are no easy opponents and they will be apprehensive about playing us as well."
Sweden have excelled in every facet of the game in their three matches so far and are on course to emulate their run to the World Cup semi-finals in France in 1998.
They showed brilliant attacking form to beat Bulgaria 5-0, incredible resilience to claim a 1-1 draw with Italy in their second game and then great heart to come from behind twice against Denmark and clinch top spot in Group C.
"Sweden have a strong team with a lot of physical power," said winger Arjen Robben. "Their best quality can be found in their attack but for sure we will have a chance against them."
The attacking will come from Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who have notched five goals between them so far.
"We understand each other on and off the pitch," Larsson said of Ibrahimovc, who at 22 is 10 years his junior. "He does things, I didn't think were possible."
The Dutch Coach Advocat ditched their defensive formation and instead played two wingers with just one holding midfielder against the Czech Republic. They were unlucky to lose 3-2.
Although their campaign was faltering, the Dutch stuck with the system against Latvia and an assured performance has given them hope of emulating their 1988 European Championship success.
"We need everyone to be fit on match day and that comes down to luck," said defender Jaap Stam. "All the teams remaining are capable of reaching the final and we certainly can."
Their only injury problem is central defender Wilfred Bouma but his replacement, Frank de Boer performed well on returning to the side against Latvia and is likely to keep his place.
Sweden have a bigger worry in right back Teddy Lucic, who has not fully recovered from a painful rib injury suffered in their opening game against Bulgaria.
With Erik Edman, another fullback, suspended there is little experienced cover in the squad in those positions. Sweden's team doctor Magnus Forssblad rates Lucic only 50-50 but co-coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg may be forced to risk him.
Probable teams.
Netherlands, (4-3-3); 1-Edwin van der Sar; 2-Michael Reiziger, 15-Frank de Boer, 3-Jaap Stam, 5-Giovanni van Bronchhorst; 20-Clarence Seedorf, 8-Edgas Davids, 6-Philip Cocu; 7-Andy van der Meyde, 10-Rund van Nistlerooy, 19-Arjen Robben Sweden (4-4-2); 1-Andreas Isaksson; 2-Teddy Lucic (or 7-Mikael Nilsson), 15-Andreas Jakobsson, 13-Petter Hansson, 3-0lof Mellberg; 17-Anders Andersoson, 16-Kim Kallstrom, 6-Tobias Linderoth, 9-Fredrik Ljungberg; 10-Zlatan Ibrahimmovic, 11-Henrik Larsson.
