Sneijder sorry for dramatic implosion

Wesley Sneijder has sent the Netherlands’ angry and shell-shocked supporters a heartfelt apology for the way his team have performed so far at Euro 2012, indicating just how low the World Cup finalists have sunk in the space of two years.

As recently as 2010 Bert van Marwijk’s side were praised for their attacking football before fatally turning to more brutal tactics against Spain in Johannesburg as their dream of being crowned world champions faded right at the last.

Even then, van Marwijk had his critics — especially those who valued the principles of ‘total football’ above the more pragmatic approach of a coach who was clearly attempting to alter the Dutch football psyche.