Finland - Holland countdown
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: Transglobal Underground
Topic: Sport

Remember Holland-Finland? Finland scored the first goal in Holland and was on the brink of an outright sensational victory.

The match ended in an unfortunate 1-3 loss, but there is no doubt that Finland will do everything to beat the dutch on their own home turf when the two teams meet again next Wednesday, June 8.

Results needed
It would be great if Finland could win this match to stay in the race for the World Championships in Germany next year, with only 5 matches to go (up against Macedonia next on the 17th of August).

Defense problems for the dutch?
On Tuesday evening the Dutch National football team played a friendly match against the amateurs of Quick Boys and won with 7-0, thanks to an impressive playing Rob van Persie (Arsenal) who scored no less than 3 goals.

While Makaay and Van Nistelrooij were not playing in the friendly (Makaay played a match with Bayern, Manchester United didn't give the green light to Van Nistelrooij), the dutch are most worried about their defense, as it is first up against Romania this Saturday.

The dutch coach Marco van Basten doesn't seem to have a lot of options, and mentioned he is seriously considering to let Vlaar and Opdam start in defense against Romania, two relatively unknown players from AZ Alkmaar.

The finnish line-up
In Finland a lot of speculation has started about who is playing, and how.

No question about the where though: It will be in the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki, and it will likely be completely sold out.

Let's hope the ever more skillfull finnish team can give the fans a match they'll never forget.


The Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, the arena for the match Finland - Holland on June 8, 2005.

Update Tuesday 15:30, Most likely Dutch line-up:
Van der Sar; Lucius, Boulahrouz, Opdam en Van Bronckhorst; De Jong, Landzaat en Cocu; Van Persie, Kuijt en Robben.