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Van der Vaart insists he is worthy of Netherlands starting place at Euro 2012
Posted Sunday, May 20, 2012 by Goal.com

Van der Vaart insists he is worthy of Netherlands starting place at Euro 2012

Rafael van der Vaart is adamant he still has a lot to contribute to Netherlands after stating that he still believes in his own ability ahead of Euro 2012.

The 29-year-old has been a regular in the Dutch national team since his breakthrough in 2001, amassing 93 caps along the way, including a World Cup final appearance in South Africa two years ago.

However, Wesley Sneijder's rise to prominence with Inter coupled with the continued excellence of Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have cast doubt over the player's role in Poland and Ukraine.

Van der Vaart told Algemeen Dagblad: "I've heard it so long now. Since I came through at Ajax, 'can Wesley [Sneijder] and Rafael play together or not'.

"Sometimes it does cross your mind, but I have now played almost 100 matches [for Netherlands].

"I know what I can do, and I will do everything to play, but I will not lose myself in all the speculation, there's no point. The boss [Bert van Marwijk] will pick 11 players, so I'll either play or I won't.

"I can be deployed in several different positions, on the left, on the right, as a No.10 or somewhere deeper. Regardless of where I play, I will do what is best for the team."

Netherlands have been drawn in Group B for Euro 2012 alongside Denmark, Portugal and Germany.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia