Holland Receive Pre Euros Blow

Holland are set to be up there with the contenders when it comes to the summer’s European Championships, but they have been dealt a huge blow with the loss of their first-choice full-back for the competition.

The 2010 World Cup finalists are among the favourites according to the euro 2012 betting   but will head to Poland and Ukraine without Erik Pieters.

The PSV star has been ruled out with a foot injury after specialists advised him not to travel for Euro 2012.

Vitesse's Alexander Buttner was called up to replace him in Bert van Marwijk's provisional 36-man squad, with the Dutch man set to cut his squad to 27 before announcing the final squad on May 29th.

Before Euro 2012 there are friendly games against Bayern Munich, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Northern Ireland before the Dutch get their campaign underway with a game against Denmark on June 9th.

Group games against Germany and Portugal follow for the Dutch but, of course, they face all this without their number one full-back as Pieters must watch on the TV. 

Van Marwijk told the Dutch Football Federation website the loss of Pieters is a “blow” for the squad, but at least they can boast some real quality in the attack with the likes of Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar all set to head to Euro 2012, with punters who bet on football still tipping them to reach the latter stages.

Holland are predicted to battle with Germany for top spot Group B but they cannot discount a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal.  Hopes will be high around the camp they can go far into the competition, with veteran Mark van Bommel going as far as stating he would retire if the Dutch win Euro 2012.

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