Strootman From Fan To Player At Euro 2012

 One and a half years ago, Kevin Strootman played for Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch second division and now he is part of the Dutch squad for Euro 2012.

After a move to FC Utrecht in January 2011 his career gained momentum with his debut in the national team and a transfer to Dutch top club PSV Eindhoven. The 22-year-old midfielder even was a regular starter for Holland in 2011. He already played a total of 11 internationals.

"Playing for Holland is of course the ultimate thing," Strootman told Xinhua. "During the 2010 World Cup, I was still watching with my friends in front of the television, wearing a Dutch national team shirt, just as a supporter. Now I can play with the guys I only knew from TV, such big names. In the beginning I had to get used to it of course. But I enjoy it every time and I do my best to perform in the best possible way."

"The Dutch team is European top, world class," the midfielder continued. "In the beginning, nothing was expected of me, everything I did was good. It went well, but the last matches I started were not very good. I was extremely disappointed by that, because this is the stage where I want to show myself. I must ensure I remain at this level. That is my goal."

Strootman especially refers to the 3-0 defeat against Germany in a friendly in November last year. The Germans will be the opponents in Group B of Euro 2012 as well.

"You don't want to lose such a match that way, definitely not with such clear figures," he said. "In the media one could see a certain flow saying the Netherlands can easily become European champion and after that game the opinions totally reversed. Perhaps even within our squad. Nothing is more beautiful than taking revenge for the defeat at Euro 2012."

Denmark will be the first opponent of the Dutch on June 9, followed by Germany and Portugal.

"Yes, we are in a tough group, but that's what you play for, to play matches at such a stage," the Dutch midfielder said. "It's an enormous challenge. Maybe people expect a little less from the Netherlands, but it's nice to prove the opposite and show that we still belong to the top."

Strootman hopes to repeat the success of 1988, when Holland captured the European title with players like Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman.

"At that time the Netherlands really had the best players in Europe," he said. "Now you have so many countries with good players. The Netherlands will always go to a tournament to win and this time it will be no different."

Although the friendlies ahead of the tournament showed Strootman will probably not be a starter at Euro 2012, he is looking forward to the event.

"It is very nice to experience such a tournament at this age," Strootman concluded. "To play for the Netherlands actually is a dream coming true, but to play in such a tournament is absolutely wonderful. It will be difficult though, because we are in a tough group, but it is also a nice challenge. Spain is the favorite, they won the European and World Championships, so that is logical. But I think that the Netherlands should go for the final and the title."