Gullit tips Germany for Euro title

Ruud Gullit has played down the chances of his native Netherlands winning Euro 2012, naming Germany as his tip for the tournament.

The two countries met in a friendly in November, with Joachim Loew’s men running out convincing 3-0 winners, and Gullit said he believes the difference between the two countries was obvious.

“Oh no, that was not a friendly. When Germany play against the Netherlands, there is always pressure,” Gullit told Stuttgarter-nachrichten.

“We are neighbours, so both sides try to win – and the Germans won convincingly.”

“The Germans are obviously the favourites, together with the Spanish. It will be difficult for the Netherlands.”

Gullit went on to voice his belief that England and Italy, two countries in which he starred as a player, had little chance of victory.

“In English football, there is a problem: the most important positions in the major clubs are always occupied by foreigners – whether goalkeeper, defender, playmaker, striker,” Gullit said.

“Accordingly, the British are without, for example, a really good playmaker. But of course they still have very good players.”

“Italian football is in crisis. The problem is in the stadiums. A good example is Juventus. In the Stadio delle Alpi, there were only about 16,000 spectators at the games.”

“The new stadium, however, is almost always sold out – and Juve play very well. But Italians know how to play in tournaments. I hope they come back to a top level.”

Germany and the Netherlands will meet in the group stage of the tournament.