|
|
Netherlands head coach Bert van Marwijk admits his side face a ‘huge challenge’ in Euro 2012 group
The Dutch boss admits his side find themselves in the toughest group, but says this will work in their favour in the knockout stages
2 Dec 2011 20:13:00
By Chris Myson
PROSHOTS
Netherlands head coach Bert van Marwijk admits his side face a "huge challenge" after being drawn against Germany, Portugal and Denmark in the Euro 2012 group phase.
The Dutch boss joked that former coach Marco van Basten, who helped to conduct the draw, wanted to ensure the current side suffered a difficult passage to the knockout stage, as he had received in the past.
Van Marwijk says he is excited by the top nations in his group, but concedes his team will have their work cut out in each and every game in the initial stage of the competition.
He said to Uefa.com: "I think Marco van Basten thought that he had the tough teams in the past, so I should get them now as well!
“Nothing can be done about it. It is a huge challenge, and it is the hardest group, that is what everyone agrees on. We just had the picture with all the coaches, and none of them were happy.
“The others also respect us a lot. The big advantage is that you want to play those matches now and you are really motivated for them.
“The schedule looks a lot like the World Cup tournament. The first match was against Denmark, just like now. I do not look any further than that first one. It will be extremely important to win that first match.
“When we get through this group, we play a team from Group A so the draw has its advantages and disadvantages.
“For me personally, I think it is a thrilling draw, with attractive opponents. It is an extremely hard draw and a huge challenge for us."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The Dutch boss joked that former coach Marco van Basten, who helped to conduct the draw, wanted to ensure the current side suffered a difficult passage to the knockout stage, as he had received in the past.
Van Marwijk says he is excited by the top nations in his group, but concedes his team will have their work cut out in each and every game in the initial stage of the competition.
He said to Uefa.com: "I think Marco van Basten thought that he had the tough teams in the past, so I should get them now as well!
“Nothing can be done about it. It is a huge challenge, and it is the hardest group, that is what everyone agrees on. We just had the picture with all the coaches, and none of them were happy.
“The others also respect us a lot. The big advantage is that you want to play those matches now and you are really motivated for them.
“The schedule looks a lot like the World Cup tournament. The first match was against Denmark, just like now. I do not look any further than that first one. It will be extremely important to win that first match.
“When we get through this group, we play a team from Group A so the draw has its advantages and disadvantages.
“For me personally, I think it is a thrilling draw, with attractive opponents. It is an extremely hard draw and a huge challenge for us."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
21:50 BST -
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
