However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Foppe de Haan’s men since lifting the trophy last summer and with key players such as Nicky Hofs, Romeon Castelen and prolific striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar now too old, the hosts will find it difficult to retain their title.

The Netherlands qualified automatically as hosts, courtesy of their 3-0 victory over Ukraine in last year’s final. Since then, de Haan has blooded several new players but his team’s form has been less than impressive, suffering defeats to Denmark and England while fighting out a draw with Germany.

Eight members of the victorious Dutch side remain in de Haan’s squad, with Ajax, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar each providing four players. However, key players such as Stijn Schaars, Ibrahim Afelley, Evander Sno and Piet Velthuizen, have all missed the tournament through injury.

The veteran coach has restored Boy Waterman to the Dutch goal, while in defence, the likes of Ryan Donk, Arnold Kruiswijk and Gianni Zuiverloon have all been involved in recent friendlies. Kemy Agustien, Ismaïl Aissati, Hedwiges Maduro, Haris Medunjanin, Robbert Schilder have all impressed this season, but much of de Haan’s depends on whether Urby Emanuelson, who is now a regular in the full Dutch squad.

In the group stage, Holland finished top, guarenteeing themselves a place at the Olympic games next year. Their opening day victory against Israel came courtesy of Hedwiges Maduro's winner, but the undoubted star man was Feyenoord's Royston Drenthe.

Drenthe was also superb in their second game as they beat Portugal 2-1. Babel and Maceo Rigters with the goals.

The final game saw the Dutch go behind to Belgium, before fighting back to go 2-1 in front thanks to Rigters and Drenthe. A later equaliser from Belgium meant both sides progressed to the Semi-Finals.

"A home team has never won it in the history of the tournament, so if we win it would be marvellous," said de Haan.

"If you look at the pressure on us it's more than last year. Then we were far from home just playing football without much attention, but now there is a lot of press every day - it's unbelievable."

Goalkeepers
1 Boy Waterman, 16 Kenneth Vermeer, 23 Tim Krul
Defenders
2 Gianni Zuiverloon, 3 Ron Vlaar, 4 Arnold Kruiswijk, 5 Erik Pieters, 18 Ryan Donk, 19 Calvin Jong-A-Pin, 21 Frank van der Struijk
Midfielders
6 Hedwiges Maduro, 8 Royston Drenthe, 11 Daniël de Ridder, 12 Luigi Bruins, 17 Haris Medunjanin
Forwards
7 Julian Jenner, 9 Ryan Babel, 10 Ismaïl Aissati, 13 Maceo Rigters, 14 Roy Beerens, 15 Robbert Schilder, 20 Tim Janssen, 22 Otman Bakkal

Coach Foppe de Haan