There are no secrets about the style of play and formation the Oranje's coach, Bert van Marwijk, will use

This article is part of the Guardian's Euro 2012 Experts' Network, a co-operation between 16 of the best media organisations from the countries who have qualified for the finals in Poland and Ukraine. guardian.co.uk is running previews from two countries each day in the runup to the tournament kicking off on 8 June.

The tactics

In the buildup to a major tournament there are always a few questions that need to be answered about the Dutch. How do the different characters gel? And will the Nederlands elftal play in the attacking tradition that started in the 70s but was spurned at the last World Cup?

An incident in the Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid focused attention on the character in the Holland team. At half-time Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry had a heated argument in the dressing room about a free-kick. The Frenchman gave the Dutch winger a blow to the cheek and the German press reported it as if it has been a serious clash. It was. During the first-half, Ribéry wanted to take a free-kick. Another player, Toni Kroos, should do it, said Robben. Kroos's attempt was unsuccessful and Ribéry was outraged. Robben kept his mouth shut outside the dressing room and won the moral victory.

The incident says something about how characters develop in the Oranje's inner circle. They still discuss everything but have become wiser and now keep their problems inside the team. Even the differences that existed years ago between black and white players are gone.

Is it a perfect group dynamic now? We're not sure. It depends on the shape that Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder are in. Both are winners and strong, sometimes difficult, characters. They can appear selfish, although they are not. These characteristics are not emphasised when they play for their clubs, but come out when they are together with the Oranje. When the boys are both at their strongest, the question will be whether Van Persie or Sneijder leads. It could be a luxurious problem for Bert van Marwijk.

When it comes to tactics there are no secrets within Holland. Since Van Marwijk took over from Marco van Basten he has played more or less the same lineup: four defenders with two attacking full-backs, two defensive midfielders and one midfielder positioned behind the deeper lying striker. Up front he has two wingers, who cut inside.

The centre-forward is a "playing striker", which means he will make way when the wingers come inside or when the attacking midfielder comes to the centre of the attack. That clarity of play brought the Oranje a stable position at the top of the Fifa rankings and a place in the last World Cup final. It failed to bring much respect at international level because of its predictability. What also failed to muster much enthusiasm was the rough play of the Dutch midfielders in South Africa. Van Marwijk says he is working on the criticism of the team but will still regard results as paramount.

In Holland, the striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar's position is already being discussed. He is in great form and a lot of analysts want him to play from the start, which will cost Dirk Kuyt his place. Or Wesley Sneijder. Or Rafael van der Vaart. So far, Van Marwijk has not taken a position on this problem. The names on the teamsheet for Holland's first match in Ukraine also depend on fitness. With everyone healthy the starting XI would be: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Pieters; De Jong, Van Bommel; Robben, Sneijder, Afellay; Van Persie.

Chris van Nijnatten writes for Algemeen Dagblad

Click here to read the profile of Ibrahim Afellay

And click here to read the secrets behind the Holland players