Netherlands v France

UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C
Date: Fri 13 Jun Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
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Desailly admits he fears for France
Netherlands' winger Arjen Robben is back in contention after recovering from a groin strain.

Rob van Persie has also shaken off a thigh problem but striker Klas-Jan Huntelaar (calf) and Mario Melchiot (pelvis) are set to miss out.

Striker Thierry Henry and midfielder Patrick Vieira are both fully fit and expected to return for France.

Both missed Monday's 0-0 draw with Romania but could replace Nicolas Anelka and Jeremy Toulalan in Berne.

France coach Raymond Domenech, who has a full squad to select from, has revealed he is considering making up to four changes, with full-backs Eric Abidal and Willy Sagnol also under threat.

But Domenech is unlikely to alter the conservative approach he adopted against Romania.


"The idea is not to be seductive but to play better, to evolve," Domenech said. "The objective is not to play a brilliant opening game and then have to pick yourselves off the floor in the next one.

"There are no individual restrictions as such. It is in the interests of team balance.

"I don't think I've used the word caution since the beginning of the competition. Rather it is security and responsibility in each position.

"It is especially important to have stability in defence. I rarely make changes there.

"One could consider that in certain positions we have reserve players who, individually, are stronger. But I will make the decision I think will strengthen the team collectively."



Garth Crooks has visited the Dutch fans in camp
With Robben and Van Persie fit, Dutch coach Marco van Basten must also decide whether to tinker with his side after their impressive victory over Italy.
"I am very happy Robben has recovered sooner than expected," van Basten said. "He trained on Thursday morning and is fit.

"It is not easy bringing them back into a winning team but it is a luxury problem to have."


BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

Netherlands and France have met each other on 21 occasions. The Dutch team has a slight edge with nine wins, four draws and eight defeats.

The two countries have met twice at a European Championship. In 1996, France knocked out the Netherlands after a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-final. The match had ended goalless. Edwin van der Sar and Lilian Thuram are the only remaining players. At Euro 2000, hosts Holland beat France 3-2 in the third and final group match. Both teams had already qualified.

Head to head records and significant meetings

Team facts - Netherlands

This will be Marco van Basten's 50th match as Dutch national team coach. His record is 33 wins, 11 draws and dive defeats, since taking over after Euro 2004.

Player facts - Netherlands

Dirk Kuyt (39 matches) is the player Van Basten has used most in his time in charge. Ruud van Nistelrooy (14 goals) is the top scorer in Van Basten's 49 previous matches.

Van Nistelrooy has now scored five European Championship goals equalling his current coach Marco van Basten. Patrick Kluivert is the only Dutch player who has scored more (six). Van Nistelrooy has now scored 32 goals for 'Oranje'. He needs one more to equal Johan Cruijff and Abe Lenstra, who are joint fourth on the Dutch all-time top scorer list.

Edwin van der Sar can set a Dutch record for most matches at a European Championship and World Cup combined. He is now equal with Dennis Bergkamp on 25. In his country's opening match, Van der Sar became the oldest Dutch player at a European Championship at the age of 37 years and 224 days.

During Van Basten's reign, Van der Sar has played 37 matches for the Netherlands and has lost only two of them. Italy won 3-1 in Holland in a friendly in November 2005 and Portugal knocked Holland out of the 2006 Fifa World Cup (1-0).

Nigel de Jong will be suspended if booked.

Player facts - France

Lilian Thuram broke the all-time appearance record at the European Championship when he played his 15th match against Romania.

If Thierry Henry scores, he will become the third player to score in three different European Championships, joining Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany) and Vladimir Smicer (Czech Republic). Nuno Gomes (Portugal) and Henrik Larsson (Sweden) can also achieve this at Euro 2008.

If he plays, Nicolas Anelka, will win his 50th cap. He has still not scored at the European Championship, making him one of the most unsuccessful strikers in the competition. With six goalless matches behind Anelka's name, Turkey's Arif Erdem is the only 'scoreless' striker at the European Championship with more matches played (seven).

Florent Malouda celebrates his 28th birthday on 13 June. He can become the third player to score on his birthday during a European Championship, joining compatriot Jean-Francois Domergue (1984) and Wesley Sneijder (2008).

William Gallas and Robin van Persie are team mates at Arsenal. Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar both play at Manchester United.

Willy Sagnol will be suspended if booked.

Miscellaneous Info

This match will possibly feature the five active players with the most minutes played at European Championships, three from France and two from the Netherlands.

Most minutes at European Championship

The French squad contains seven players that were born outside France. The Dutch squad contains only players that were born in the Netherlands.