It's not been a great 2012 for either the Netherlands or Germany in soccer terms.
Netherlands vs. Germany 2012: Preview and TV schedule
Two of the best teams in the world meet in a friendly that will not feature a laundry of list of the best players both countries have to offer. It still should be fun though.
Between the loss to Italy in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 and the shocking 4-4 qualifying draw with Sweden that saw the Germans blow a four goal lead in Berlin, there's some pressure on Joachim Löw to finish the year strong. That said, if Löw was to lose this friendly, it's hardly likely he'll lose his job but that won't stop the media and fans from at least grumbling. Of course, given his absentee list for today's match, you can't really blame him for whatever happens.
Die Mannschaft will be without Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Jerome Boateng, Miroslav Klose, Mesut Özil, Marcel Schmelzer and Mario Gomez...bring on the B team. Klose will have to wait for another day to tie and potentially pass Gerd Müller's all-time scoring record. Klose moved within one goal of the record in Sweden match.
Both teams under achieved at Euro 2012, but the Dutch were far far worse failing to earn even a single point in the group. It cost Bert van Marwijk his job and put immediate pressure on head boss Louis van Gaal to do well in World Cup qualifying. So far, so good as the Dutch have a perfect record through four qualifying matches. Van Gaal's injury list is considerably shorter than that of Löw's, with only Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie out.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar will be available and looking to close the gap between himself and Patrick Kluivert for the national team scoring record. Kluivert scored 40 goals in 79 matches, Huntelaar has 34 in 59 matches.
Of course this match isn’t about anything other than pride and bragging rights, but if you think it’s still not important, you’d be wrong. Nobody likes to lose, even a friendly, so we should be treated to a fun match at the Amsterdam Arena.
Netherlands injuries and suspensions
Out: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Jerome Boateng, Miroslav Klose, Mesut Özil, Marcel Schmelzer, Mario Gomez.
Germany injuries and suspensions
Out: Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie.
Match Date/Time: 9:30 p.m. local, 2:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
TV: ESPN2 (U.S.), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: ESPN3 (U.S.)
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