Neths - Slovakia

[bobbybottler]

Neths - have actually tried to win all three matches so far, rather than trying to avoid defeat. Robben is coming back to full fitness, and should inject some sorely missed shahzing into the Dutch team. The bbc site is reporting the Dutch media as being a bit so far about progress so far but in my own sample of one, this is not matched by the fan(s).

Slovakia - I was delighted that they kept their collective nerve and held on against Italy, they might contain the Dutch until Robben comes on but I'd be surprised if they get much change out of the Dutch defence.

Dutchies to win, perhaps 3-1.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Uncharacteristically in both cases, the Italian defence was weak where as the Dutch have been very strong at the back, so personally I can't see Slovakia causing too many problems despite their three goals again Italy.

I too have read that the Dutch media have been underwhelmed with the national side's performances thus far but I'm hoping this hasn't really filtered through to the players because so far they've scored five goals in three, and have only conceded to a penalty, which paints a pretty comfortable picture.

Van Persie is getting better with each minute that he plays, and unlike the majority of players at this tournament who will probably worsen physically as the tournament goes on, he will improve as he finds full match fitness. Add to this the returning Robben who looked very lively when he came on against Cameroon and you've got a good side there would should be capable of seeing of the Slovaks.

[3 veesinarow]

Win for the Dutch...can't believe their meejah could be that unhappy with them so far...three out of three, one pen conceded, no real injury worries, easy-ish game next...they really ought to try
reporting on the French, Italian or English teams.

If they get past Brazil in the quarters, they are nailed on for the final.

[bobbybottler]

Who would they (or Slovaks or Braz) meet in the SF? I can't keep up.

[Baines]

Uruguay/Ghana

[Maguire]

Nothing much in the first 11 mins to suggest there isn't something in this for the Dutch.

I've got a bog-standard HOL/BRA double today

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Robben puts the Dutch 1-0 up with a decent strike low into the bottom corner.

I reckon there'll be a few goals in this now.

EDIT: 2-0 and my bet of over 7.5 goals for the Dutch during the tournament is looking a good'n (posted elsewhere for Mags' sake).

[Silver Fox]

2-1 not massively impressed by the dutch centre backs, Slovakia had a couple of moments where a bit more composure when they got through would have paid dividends

[Archie's penalty]

Congrats for getting this far Slovakia. Great result against Italy - too difficult to reproduce against a much more organised and together Dutch side.

[Arch]

Slovakia as dark horses is my only prediction not to work out so far. I'll claim beating Italy as half a dark horse performance (or is that a dark half-horse?)

[Row Z Royal]

It's half a horse (the front end) in the Italian coach's bed, if nothing else.

[Maguire]

Holland haven't impressed me greatly (I've watched all their games thus far). You can only beat what's put in front of etc but they are suspect act the back and not overly fluent in attack. I think the likes of Spain would roll them tbh

[Ark Royal]

I think the two Dutch full backs are there to be got at. Maicon v Van Bronckhorst? Only one winner there and Van Der Wiel played the Slovaks onside more than once.

[Baines]

If Maicon has to defend against Kuyt, it'll be interesting to see how much he can get at G van B.

[RoyalChicagoFC]

I can't find the words for what it is about the Dutch that leaves me scratching my head and has done so from the beginning of the competition

Nothing ever seems safe with 'em, and even after Sneijder made it 2-0 today (and that was one hell of a ball forward from him to launch Robben for the opener), it still didn't quite wear right --I mean, it should've been put to bed long before then, and the fact that it wasn't is part of what has me wondering about 'em

On the evidence, Brazil should ruin 'em on Friday...but then Brazil's own flaws haven't exactly gone unexposed throughout all of this

[Thomas L'Heureux]

I think the two Dutch full backs are there to be got at. Maicon v Van Bronckhorst? Only one winner there and Van Der Wiel played the Slovaks onside more than once.

Maicon is a right back whilst Van Bronckhorst is a left-back, so I don't see the comparison. Surely Michel Bastos should be compared with Gio, which is tougher debate.

Van Der Wiel is very green though, I agree.

[Row Z Royal]

I think the two Dutch full backs are there to be got at. Maicon v Van Bronckhorst? Only one winner there and Van Der Wiel played the Slovaks onside more than once.

Maicon is a right back whilst Van Bronckhorst is a left-back, so I don't see the comparison. Surely Michel Bastos should be compared with Gio, which is tougher debate.

Van Der Wiel is very green though, I agree.

I think he was suggesting that Maicon in full flow will dick all over GvB. I didn't see the game, but I assume that's what happened.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

He's right then, but to be fair Maicon is in his prime at 28 whilst Van Bronckhorst is 35!

[exileinleeds]

On nothing more than seeing their final warm up match being 6-1, I shoved £10 ew for the final on Netherlands before the first game @ 10-1 A couple of days later, my balance seemed high (I count pending bets as money gone)- so, not knowing there is a function to look at outstanding bets, a few days later I put another £10 on, but only got 9-1. If they did not have to play Brazil I might be a bit pleased by this.
Still, it gives me a team to support (I also have £5 outright on Argentina). The only reason I want Argies to do well is, following a tip from here, I backed Hugain (?)sp for the golden boot@ 18/1. That is looking like an immense e/w bet. How envious are you that I went for a whole £2.44 e/w?

[Maguire]

I've got a bog-standard HOL/BRA double today

Yay.

But not really.