Intro:

Profile of the Netherlands team as they prepare for Euro 2012, which starts next month.

Script:

The Netherlands go into Euro 2012 as one of the favourites to lift the cup. But they're also one of the great underachievers of world football.

Despite reaching three world cup finals, the 1988 European Championship remains their only major piece of silverware.

The Dutch have reached the knock-out stages of five successive Euros since then, but haven't made it beyond the semi-finals.

And despite a difficult Group B which includes great rivals Germany as well as Portugal and Denmark, The Netherlands have a great chance of success.

From the team which started the 2010 World Cup final, only retired left-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst is missing from the provisional squad of 27 coach Bert van Marwijk named on Tuesday (May 15)

But Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt says that even getting past the group stage will be a challenge.
SOUNDBITE (English) Dirk Kuyt. Netherlands Forward

"I think at the moment there are a lot of very good European teams and there are less countries in the Euros than in the world cup and maybe the group stage is more difficult than the group stage in the world cup. For me to play the Euros, and to play against big countries and big players that's what it's all about, that's why you want to be there."

With the likes of Robin van Persie, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben as attacking options and 37 goals in 10 qualifying games, the Dutch are certainly strong contenders.

They warm up for the tournament with a friendly against Bulgaria on Saturday 26th may.