Euro 2012: Dutch tense ahead of Germany game - Bert van Marwijk (BBC)

EURO 2012: NETHERLANDS V GERMANY

• Venue: Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv
 
• Date: Wednesday, 13 June
 
• Kick-off:19:45 BST

Coverage: BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live, highlights on BBC One & BBC Sport website

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk says his squad are tense ahead of their crucial Euro 2012 Group B clash with Germany.

The Dutch, who lost their opening game to Denmark, could go out if they are beaten by their arch rivals in Kharkiv.

"Of course things are tense when we lose and we get irritated at times, us too," said Van Marwijk.

"But that is where we are going to draw our motivation from. I believe in my players."

Dangerous Dutch

Netherlands were the highest scorers in Euro 2012 qualifying, netting 37 goals. According to Opta, they were also the most clinical after scoring with 27% of their shots.

Despite creating lots of chances against Denmark, Netherlands could not find the net and they have been heavily criticised by some sections of their own media - to the extent a Uefa media officer had to step in to try to prevent a heated exchange between Van Marwijk and a Dutch television journalist at Tuesday's news conference.

"I don't know what the atmosphere is like back in Holland because we are here in Ukraine," said Van Marwijk, who led his side to the 2010 World Cup final.

"Of course there is tension here, but positive tension - we are looking forward to the game.

"This is part of the job. I don't feel the pressure too much."

Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder is confident the team can bounce back and believes Arjen Robben, who plays alongside eight possible German starters at Bayern Munich, can be a key figure for his side.

"We are as confident as the coach is," he said. "We love the pressure. It doesn't matter if we are playing Germany or any other big nation, there is a lot riding on this.

"We know that Arjen has quality and we have all seen that in him.

"He creates chances and gets people in front of goal and he will do the same against Germany - he can do it.

"He is a man for the big occasion."

Germany will be confident heading into the match after beating Portugal 1-0 in their opening game of the tournament.

Joachim Loew's side can also take heart from their 3-0 defeat of the Netherlands  in a friendly in November - but the German coach is refusing to get complacent.

"Of course we are going to be put under pressure," he said. "Our defence will be put to the test and it will be important that we win our tackles.

"We are going to have to be armed and ready for what they throw at us."