The Netherlands national football team (known by its fans as Oranje, after their orange outfits) is one of Europe's best national teams, having won the European Championship in 1988, and having reached two consecutive World Cup finals, but losing both (1974 and 1978).

The Netherlands made their first World Cup appearance in 1934, and after coming back in 1938, entered the world of soccer wilderness. They came out of it in the 1970s with the invention of Total Football. Pioneered by Ajax Amsterdam club and lead by the creative genius of Johan Cruyff, the Dutch made huge strides, getting to two World Cup finals in the decade. The team has been strong since, winning Euro 88 and finishing fourth in the 1998 World Cup.

World Cup record

• 1930 - Did not enter
• 1934 - Round 1
• 1938 - Round 1
• 1950 - Did not enter
• 1954 - Did not enter
• 1958 to 1970 - Did not qualify
• 1974 - Runners-up
• 1978 - Runners-up
• 1982 - Did not qualify
• 1986 - Did not qualify
• 1990 - Round 2
• 1994 - Quarterfinals
• 1998 - Fourth place
• 2002 - Did not qualify

European Championship record

• 1960 - Did not enter
• 1964 to 1972 - Did not qualify
• 1976 - Semifinals
• 1980 - Round 1
• 1984 - Did not qualify
• 1988 - Champions
• 1992 - Semifinals
• 1996 - Quarterfinals
• 2000 - Semifinals
• 2004 - Semifinals

Famous Players

• Dennis Bergkamp
• Philip Cocu
• Johan Cruyff
• Edgar Davids
• Frank de Boer
• Ronald de Boer
• Ruud Gullit
• Patrick Kluivert
• Ronald Koeman
• Ruud Krol
• Johan Neeskens
• Arthur Numan
• Marc Overmars
• Rob Rensenbrink
• Frank Rijkaard
• Clarence Seedorf
• Jaap Stam
• Marco van Basten
• René van de Kerkhof
• Willy van de Kerkhof
• Edwin van der Sar
• Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Aron Winter

External links

• Netherlands National Team History
• Story of Holland at the 1974 World Cup
• Story of Holland at the 1978 World Cup