Unproven manager Marco van Basten has led Holland to the FIFA World Cup Finals for the eighth time. The Dutch team is a class act that has a World ranking of 3. The Oranje will be of the Major fancies to lift the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Get more insider information on the World Cup at the most popular football betting sites.

The Oranje qualified for the FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany after finishing five points clear at the top of their World Cup qualifying group. To underline the quality of the Dutch squad, the Oranje defeated the highly rated Czech Republic twice.

The Dutch reached the last four at France 98 before failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup Finals in Korea/Japan 2002. The Dutch have finished runners-up at the World Cup Finals on two occasions.

In the 1974 FIFA World Cup they lost the World Cup Final 2-1 to the hosts Germany before losing the 1978 final in Buenos Aries to another host nation as Argentina won 3-1.

Despite their pedigree, many continue to underestimate the Dutch who will rely heavily on English Premier League stars striker Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United and Chelsea winger Arjen Robben. The Dutch will need some luck getting into the second round, but once through they will be a team everyone will want to avoid.