Van Bommel confident of Euro success

Netherlands captain Mark van Bommel believes his side have a great chance of winning Euro 2012, but must see off Germany and holders Spain.

Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands team lost just once in qualifying for the UEFA showcase in Ukraine and Poland.

Despite mixed performances during their friendly warm-up games, PSV-bound midfielder Van Bommel feels the Dutch national team can make up for their defeat to Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.

“I strongly believe that we can win the European Championship,” Van Bommel told Dutch publication Metro.

“Germany … belongs with the favourites, like Spain and us. And below you have countries like Italy, France and England.

“I think it is a great tournament with hopefully a good end for us.”

At 35 years old, Euro 2012 could well be Van Bommel’s final chance to taste glory at the international level, but he remains optimistic of doing so.

“You should never see something as a last chance in football. In football you can predict nothing,” he said.

“At Bayern (Munich) we thought in 2010 it would be our last chance to win the Champions League, but two years later they are back in the final. We have to believe in it, without getting complacent.”

Arjen Robben was part of the Bayern side, along with eight Germany internationals, which suffered Champions League defeat to Chelsea last month, but van Bommel expects them all to bounce back.

“I don’t think it’s a problem for Germany that they have eight disappointed internationals,” he said.

“It is good to have another goal to focus on after a disappointment.

“Arjen is mentally strong. After every setback he comes back stronger and plays the game as if nothing is wrong.

“He is so good, even in the mental aspect, and deserves to be among the 10 best players in the world.”

The Netherlands begin their Euro 2012 campaign when they face Denmark in the Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, on June 9.