Top scorers in qualifying with 37 goals, the Netherlands are in good shape to add to their 1988 European success having been denied by Spain in the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Still with only the 1988 UEFA European Championship to show for over four decades near the summit of world football, there are signs that the Oranje are ready for more silverware. For a while it looked like coming at UEFA EURO 2008, before Russia sent the Netherlands home in the quarter-finals. Out went Marco van Basten and his brand of attacking football; in came Bert van Marwijk's more pragmatic style, driving them beyond expectations to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. Having stormed through qualifying, only dropping points in their final game when already through, anticipation will be higher in Poland and Ukraine.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Hardly two months after their loss against Spain in the 2010 World Cup final, Holland returned to competitive action and Oranje clearly struggled to shake off the disappointment of missing out on their first World Cup title in history.

Nevertheless, after three unimpressive victories, the Dutch were back to their best as they put in breathtaking performances against Sweden and Hungary (twice) to make it clear that they are a force to be reckoned with in Poland and Ukraine.

A record win over San Marino and routine victories against Finland and Moldova were enough to book their ticket for Euro 2012 before they lost their unbeaten status in the away match versus Sweden.

PAST RECORD IN THE EUROS  
1960    Did not enter          1988    Winners
1964    Did not qualify        1992    Semi-finalists
1968    Did not qualify        1996    Quarter-finalists
1972    Did not qualify        2000    Semi-finalists
1976    Semi-finalists         2004    Semi-finalists
1980    Group stage           2008    Quarter-finalists
1984    Did not qualify        2012    Qualified as group winners

The Netherlands were hardly a top team in the early years of the European Championships and didn't make their first appearance until 1976. After their debut, where they made it to the semi-finals, Oranje have been regulars though and they haven't missed out since 1984.

Holland's biggest success came arguably in 1988 when they beat England, Republic of Ireland, Germany and Soviet Union to win their only major tournament in history. Perhaps a good omen for the Dutch, like in 1988, Ireland will be present again in 2012 as well for only the second time ever.

Although they have come close on a number of occasions since, the Netherlands have never been able to repeat their success from 1988 again, despite making it to the semi-finals three times.

Matches played
Overall: P131 W84 D22 L25 F288 A103
Final tournament: P32 W17 D8 L7 F55 A32
Qualifying: P99 W67 D14 L18 F233 A71