Swansea City keeper Michel Vorm discusses Holland's hopes at the World Cup
8th June
Football fans around the globe are counting down the days until the World Cup in Brazil.
Swansea City's interest will be focussed on the fortunes of Holland's Michel Vorm, Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony and South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng.
In the build-up to the tournament, we will bring you interviews with the Swans players involved in the the showcase along with members of Garry Monk's squad who are following the fortunes of their nations.
And to kick off our previews, Swans keeper Michel Vorm talks about Holland's hopes as the 2010 runners-up look to emerge from a group containing holders Spain, Chile and Australia.
"Four years ago, everything was very new for me.
"I was at Utrecht and part of the national squad, but very much the number two keeper.
"Now I've got over 100 Premier League appearances under my belt and I've played quite a few games for Holland.
"I think the experiences that I've had at club and national level in the last few years have prepared me well for this World Cup.
"Being involved in the squad in South Africa four years ago was amazing, but to go to a country that eats and sleeps football will be incredible.
"Brazil is about football, football, football and I think this will be an amazing tournament.
"All the media attention steps up to a different level. You have to be involved in that to understand it."
Holland's hopes?
"Spain are one of the favourites, obviously, but we have a different squad from four years ago.
"We were excellent in qualification, but we are certainly an underdog in this tournament.
"The most important game is the first game against Spain. If we start off well and get a draw at least, then it sets us up for the rest of the group.
"If you beat the champions of the world then that is a major statement. That is easier said than done."
Key man?
"Robin van Persie is our main guy. He's shown in the Premier League with Manchester United and on the international stage with Holland that he is a top, top player.
"He is now our country's top scorer, and I can talk from experience that he is one of the special players that can catch a goalkeeper off guard because he has so much power in his shots."
Favourite World Cup moment?
"America '94. I couldn't watch the games because it was during the night, so my mother taped it and woke me up at around 6am to watch it before school.
"I fondly remember our first game against Saudi Arabia - we won 2-1 after being a goal down. I had a real buzz watching that game, even though it wasn't live.
"Then we went onto the last 16, and Paddy Bonner's error from Wim Jonk's shot stood out - particularly for me as a keeper.
"But even the quarter-final against Brazil was amazing, even though we lost.
"Getting back to 2-2 after being 2-0 was just incredible, but Branco's free-kick knocked us out.
"We lost, but it was still an incredible tournament that gave us football fans amazing memories."
