Netherlands and Sweden renew century-old rivalry
Monday, September 13, 2010
Article summary
The Netherlands renew a longstanding rivalry with Group E hopefuls Sweden having first encountered the Nordic nation over 100 years ago at the Olympic games in London.
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Eleven days shy of 102 years since they first met in an Olympic football game in London, the Netherlands and Sweden are about to be reacquainted, with this UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group E tie a crucial one for the section's top seeds.
Match background
• The Netherlands' record in 21 meetings with Sweden is W9 D5 L7 (W5 D1 L2 at home).
• The teams first met in the bronze medal match at the London Olympics on 23 October 1908, Gerard Reeman and Edu Snethlage scoring in a 2-0 win for the Netherlands at White City stadium.
• Reassuringly for the home team, they have never lost to Sweden in Amsterdam, with their record in five games reading W4 D1 L0. The Oranje's home defeats against Sweden took place in Rotterdam (a 1-0 friendly loss on 29 April 1964) and Utrecht (a 3-0 friendly reverse on 27 April 1983).
• The two rivals most recently crossed swords in a friendly in Amsterdam on 19 November 2008. Bert van Marwijk's men triumphed 3-1, with Robin van Persie registering in either half and Dirk Kuyt sealing the result late on after Kim Källström had pulled one back for the visitors.
• Their last competitive meeting came at UEFA EURO 2004, when the Netherlands prevailed 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 quarter-final draw in Faro-Loulé.
