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Mark van Bommel confident 'loyal fans' and 'squad quality' will guide the Neth-erlands past Euro 2012 Group of Death
The AC Milan hardman feels that all the teams in Group B are capable of progressing to the quarter-finals and has urged Oranje supporters to spur on the national team
2 Dec 2011 22:35:00
By Enis Koylu
Bongarts
Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel is confident that his side can reach the knockout stage of the European Championship despite being handed a tough Group B at Euro 2012.
The 2010 World Cup finalists were drawn with Denmark, Germany and Portugal in the competition's 'Group of Death', and the 34-year-old feels that each team poses a threat to one another.
"We will met three fantastic opponents in Kharkiv, that is for sure. Just like at the World Cup in South Africa we play our first match against Denmark," he stated according to Uefa.com.
"The difference with a World Cup, however, is that in the Euros you only meet strong opponents in the group stage.
"Denmark are 11th in the Fifa rankings, so in theory they are our worthy opponent, but during Euro qualifying they finished above Portugal. Germany did not drop a point in qualifying."
Despite their opponents' quality, Van Bommel feels that his side can advance to the knockout stage with the help of their fans.
"For a football player, as well as for our fans, these are obviously fantastic matches. Despite this being a tough group, I have full faith that, with the support of our loyal fans and with the qualities of the squad, we will reach the next round."
After their opening game against Denmark, the Netherlands will square off against arch-rivals Germany on June 13 before facing Portugal in the last group match on June 17.
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The 2010 World Cup finalists were drawn with Denmark, Germany and Portugal in the competition's 'Group of Death', and the 34-year-old feels that each team poses a threat to one another.
"We will met three fantastic opponents in Kharkiv, that is for sure. Just like at the World Cup in South Africa we play our first match against Denmark," he stated according to Uefa.com.
"The difference with a World Cup, however, is that in the Euros you only meet strong opponents in the group stage.
"Denmark are 11th in the Fifa rankings, so in theory they are our worthy opponent, but during Euro qualifying they finished above Portugal. Germany did not drop a point in qualifying."
Despite their opponents' quality, Van Bommel feels that his side can advance to the knockout stage with the help of their fans.
"For a football player, as well as for our fans, these are obviously fantastic matches. Despite this being a tough group, I have full faith that, with the support of our loyal fans and with the qualities of the squad, we will reach the next round."
After their opening game against Denmark, the Netherlands will square off against arch-rivals Germany on June 13 before facing Portugal in the last group match on June 17.
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| 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 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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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
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