Netherlands could win it all -- or flop spectacularly

FIFA world ranking: No. 3.

How they qualified for Germany:
Won UEFA Group 1 with a 10-2-0 record. The Oranje conceded only three goals in 12 matches and finished five points ahead of No. 2-ranked Czech Republic, which it beat twice.

Previous World Cups:
Seven appearances (1934, '38, '74, '78, '90, '94, '98), runner-up in '74 and '78.

Manager:
Marco van Basten, third year with team.

Key players:
At 6-foot-2, Ruud van Nistelrooy is a big man who loves the big stage. The joint second top goal scorer in Euro 2004, "Rutergus" has also been prolific while playing for the world's most famous club, Manchester United. He has topped the European Champions League scoring charts three times and the English Premier League charts once. Critics will point to signs that van Nistelrooy is out of form, primarily his start-and-stop season with United that has led to rumors of an impending departure from the club. Still, with his record of lethal finishing, strength, power and determination, van Nistelrooy could end up being the top scorer in Germany if the Netherlands reach the late rounds.

Like van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben left PSV Eindhoven to ply his trade in the EPL, joining Chelsea in the summer of 2004 for $22 million. Robben's pace, dribbling skills and ability to beat defenders makes him a regular on the Dutch national team; he has scored six goals in 17 matches to become a firm fan favorite. Much of Holland's hopes will rest upon the young star's shoulders. He'll be expected to create chances for the attack -- a burden that hasn't been helped by the goal drought that has recently hit Bayern Munich striker and '02-03 European Golden Boot winner Roy Makaay. For Robben to succeed, he'll need to be focused and avoid the disciplinary problems and diving tendencies that have seen him red-carded twice this season.

What to watch for:
The Dutch have a long tradition of playing a highly skilled, fluid and technical variety of soccer -- think of a mix of Brazil's flamboyance and Germany's discipline. In 1974, the Oranje reached the World Cup final, and the world marveled at its flair, especially the skill of Johan Cruyff and his famous "turn." In the '80s Rinus Michels masterminded his brand of "total football" at Ajax before winning the '88 European Championship with the Dutch national team.

Since then, a lack of team spirit and togetherness has haunted the Dutch, culminating in 2002 when they failed to qualify for the World Cup. Since then a new crop of players has come through the ranks to stand alongside a solid group of established stars. If team leaders Edwin van der Sar and Phillip Cocu -- not to mention their legendary coach, van Basten, who retired as a player prematurely -- can get this squad to work as a unit, expect total football. If not, expect another frustrating mid-round exit.

Group: C (Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro).

Key match in group stage:
June 21 vs. Argentina. This contest will probably determine who tops the group. Although both Serbia and the Ivory Coast are competent teams, the Dutch and the Argentines are both potential winners of the entire tournament.

Oddsmakers' line: 14-1.

Projected Starting Lineup:
Pos. Player Club team
G Edwin van der Sar Manchester United (England)
D Jan Kromkamp Liverpool (England)
D Khalid Boulahrouz Hamburg SV (Germany)
D Barry Opdam AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
D Giovanni van Bronckhorst FC Barcelona (Spain)
M Philip Cocu PSV (Netherlands)
M Mark van Bommel FC Barcelona (Spain)
M Rafael van der Vaart Hamburg SV (Germany)
F Arjen Robben Chelsea (England)
F Dirk Kuyt Feyenoord (Netherlands)
F Ruud van Nistelrooy Manchester United (England)