Get more World Cup betting information including betting bonuses, World Cup odds and our famous World Cup picks, which in 2006 earned $100 bettors over ten times their initial investment. ($100 bettors earned $1,820 click here for details)

In both 1974 and 1978 the Netherlands made the final of the World Cup only to lose in heartbreaking fashion. In 1974 they lost to host Germany and in 1978 it was host Argentina that knocked them off. They've been waiting 28 years for another shot at the Cup and they hope that Germany will be kinder to them this time around. This year presents the team, ranked No. 3 in the world, with the best chance that they have had since bell bottom jeans were all the rage. Like every team in Group C, though, they almost certainly wish that they had an easier first round draw. They will be looking to overcome the strong competition, fueled by a burning desire to avenge their embarrassing showing in 2002 when they failed to even make it to the World Cup, falling in their qualification group to Portugal and the Republic of Ireland.

The Oranje left nothing to chance in qualifying this time around, winning 10 of their 12 games and playing to a draw in the other two. They did that under the leadership of new national side coach Marco Van Basten. He was a superstar as a player, but many feared that his inexperience as a coach would be a problem for the team. They needn't have worried. Van Basten became coach as part of a major shakeup of the program after the 2002 debacle. Soon after taking over, he turned heads by dropping some experienced players from the squad because of their lousy attitudes.

Other than the German team, no country is happier than the Dutch to have these games in Germany. Not only is it a short trip from home for them, but they are almost unbeatable on German soil. Besides the second place finish in 1974, they won the 1988 European Championships in the country. This generation of Dutch players will be looking to continue the winning trend.

Netherlands World Cup 2006 Team Odds: Bodog has the Netherlands listed at 12-1 to win the 2006 World Cup, making them the 7th choice in the field of 32 teams.

Strengths: No goalkeeper in the world is playing any better coming into the World Cup than Edwin van der Sar. The Manchester United player also has put in time with powers Ajax and Juventus. In the 12 qualifying games, he let in just 3 goals. No team in Europe even came close to that level of defensive stinginess.

At the other end of the field is offensive genius Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He's scoring two goals every three games for Manchester United, using his lightning quick feet and ability to make space close in to his advantage.

Sandwiched between van der Sar and Van Nistelrooy is Arjen Robben, the 22-year-old Chelsea star who can fly up the wing and boom a shot past opposing keepers. He's already a star, but he's one to watch here. His star could break through into the stratosphere if he plays like he can. Dutch media darling Rafael van der Vaart in the midfield and the veteran leadership of Phillip Cocu are just two more of the impressive stable of world-class players van Basten will be bringing to Germany. They are complemented by a young and talented supporting cast.

Weaknesses: The Oranje may be haunted by their recent past. van Basten has looked solid and comfortable in his new role, but other than the Czech Republic, their qualifying group had few teams to fear. It remains to be seen how the team will react if the going gets rough. If van Basten can't keep them in check and focused on their goal, the bad attitudes and underachieving of recent years may pop up again. He'll be given the benefit of the doubt by his countrymen, but if he can't make his charges work together, they have the potential to combust.

The team could have a real problem if Van Nistelrooy is not on his game. He will be relied upon to be an offensive spark and the team will likely go as he is going. If he isn't scoring it will be disastrous. Adding to that potential problem is the fragility of Arjen Robben. He can be dangerous, but he also gets hurt way too much for someone who is only 22. He needs to find a way to stay healthy.

Netherlands World Cup 2006 Outlook: Fans of the Netherlands have reason to be cautiously optimistic. Like the rest of the group of death, their challenge will be surviving until the second round. If they make it there and they are playing cohesively, they will be scary. There are few, if any teams, who are significantly better than the Oranje when they are at their best. They aren't the most likely winners, but few would be surprised if they were the ones left standing at the end. If that happens, van Basten would be a national superhero.

Netherlands World Cup 2006 Schedule:

Sunday, June 11, Group C3 Serbia & Montenegro vs. Group C4 Netherlands, in Leipzig, 3 p.m.

Friday, June 16, Group C4 Netherlands vs. Group C2 Côte d'Ivoire, in Stuttgart, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, June 21, Group C4 Netherlands vs. Group C1 Argentina, in Frankfurt, 9 p.m.

Updated Netherlands World Cup 2006 News:

Doc's Sports Handy Links:
World Cup Trophy
World Cup Winners
2006 World Cup Odds