2010 Netherlands World Cup Roster: A Squad of Stars

The Dutch national football team, managed by Bert van Marwijk, was a formidable force at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The team, known for its distinctive attacking style, "Total Football," featured a blend of experienced veterans and exciting young talents. Here's a detailed look at the 23-man roster that represented the Netherlands at the tournament:

Goalkeepers

• Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax)
• Sander Boschker (Twente)
• Michel Vorm (Utrecht)

Defenders

• Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)
• Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart)
• André Ooijer (PSV)
• John Heitinga (Atlético Madrid)
• Edson Braafheid (Bayern Munich)
• Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg)
• Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord)

Midfielders

• Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)
• Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
• Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
• Nigel de Jong (Manchester City)
• Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid)
• Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich)
• Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar)
• Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax)

Strikers

• Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
• Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Milan)
• Eljero Elia (Hamburger SV)

The Road to the Final

The Netherlands began its World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Denmark in its opening match. In their second match, the Dutch faced Japan, where they secured a 1-0 win. The team then defeated Cameroon 2-1 in its final group stage match to finish top of its group.

In the knockout stage, the Netherlands faced Slovakia in the Round of 16, winning 2-1. In the quarter-finals, the Dutch faced Brazil, one of the tournament favorites. In a thrilling encounter, the Netherlands emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.

The Netherlands advanced to the semi-finals, where they faced Uruguay. Luis Suárez's infamous handball on the goal line denied the Dutch a late winning goal, but they eventually prevailed 3-2 on penalties.

In the final, the Netherlands enfrentado Spain, the reigning European champions. The match was a close affair, but Spain ultimately won 1-0 in extra time. The Netherlands finished the tournament as runners-up, having played an exciting and entertaining brand of football throughout.

Key Players

Wesley Sneijder: The Dutch playmaker was named the Man of the Match in the final and was awarded the Bronze Ball as the tournament's third-best player. Sneijder scored five goals in the tournament, including a stunning free-kick in the quarter-final against Brazil.

Arjen Robben: The winger was a constant threat to opposing defenses with his pace and dribbling skills. Robben scored three goals in the tournament, including a memorable individual effort in the semi-final against Uruguay.

Robin van Persie: The striker scored five goals in the tournament, including a crucial equalizer in the quarter-final against Brazil. Van Persie was known for his aerial ability and his ability to score goals from all angles.

Legacy

The 2010 Netherlands World Cup team left a lasting impression on the world footballing stage. The team's exciting attacking style and their success in reaching the final inspired many young players and fans around the world. The team's performance also helped to restore the Netherlands' reputation as one of the top footballing nations in the world.

Conclusion

The 2010 Netherlands World Cup roster was a formidable squad that played an exciting and entertaining brand of football. The team's success in reaching the final showcased the quality and depth of Dutch football and inspired a generation of players and fans.