Netherlands fly the flag for faltering Europe (Feature)

By Michael Logan Jun 25, 2010, 10:35 GMT

Cape Town - Teams from the Americas have led the way at this World Cup, but one big European side has seemed immune to the stutters and downright failures that have befallen its peers.

The Netherlands, while not exactly firing on all cylinders, edged out Cameroon 2-1 in Cape Town on Thursday night to become the only European team to finish with a 100-per-cent record.

Their performance is in stark contrast to that of traditionally strong European outfits.

England struggled in the group; Spain lost to Switzerland, Germany to Serbia; and the less said about France and Italy's embarrassing exits at the bottom of their groups the better.

Of the six groups decided so far, four were topped by teams from the Americas. The last two groups, to be decided on Friday, are currently headed by, you guessed it: teams from the Americas.

The key to the Netherlands' success so far has been an ability to win without necessarily playing particularly well - something their European colleagues could learn from.

The Dutch have only shown flashes of the silky football they are capable of, but that could be about to change with the re-introduction of star winger Arjen Robben and the improving form of Robin van Persie.

Robben, just recovered from a hamstring injury, made his first appearance at the World Cup against Cameroon with just under 20 minutes to go. He made an instant difference to a Dutch side that looked short on ideas.

His direct running was menacing, and it was his fierce curling shot off the post that set up the winner.

'We are incredibly pleased to see he can be so valuable for us,' Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said after the match.

The Bayern Munich winger is likely to be given gradually more playing time to ensure he doesn't aggravate his hamstring. Van Marwijk hinted he wouldn't start Robben on Monday against surprise qualifiers Slovakia, who beat Italy 3-2 to send the title holders crashing out.

No doubt van Marwijk privately believes the Netherlands have enough quality to defeat the minnows without Robben.

However, he knows that Italy made just that mistake, leaving playmaker Andrea Pirlo - also just back from injury - on the bench until it was too late, and said he would not underestimate the Slovaks.

Van Persie found the net against Cameroon for his first goal of the tournament, and his performance could be just as important as the return of Robben.

The Arsenal striker missed a large chunk of the season through ruptured ankle ligaments suffered in November, but now looks like his old self.

His goal was a classic 1-2 and finish, and his performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

Van Persie was quietly satisfied with his - and his team's - performance. But, perhaps luckily for Europe's battered football reputation, he believes the Dutch are going to get better.

'So far it is looking good, but we can still improve,' he said.