Italy vs Netherlands: Two Sports Cultures Compared
By Alan · 2026-10-27 · 4 min read
A personal rivalry
AllSportsRanking was started by Alan, who is half Italian and half Dutch. Comparing the sports traditions of the two countries is where the idea for this website began, so it is a fitting first comparison.
Italy: volleyball, tennis and water sports
Italy is one of the great volleyball nations, with both its men's and women's teams regularly among the world's best. In recent years Italian tennis has also produced players at the very top of the ATP ranking, and water polo remains a long-standing Italian strength.
The Netherlands: hockey and depth
The Netherlands is the reference nation in field hockey, with both the men's and women's teams consistently ranked at or near the top of the FIH world ranking. Dutch teams are also competitive in football, korfball-style ball sports and volleyball, showing strong club and school structures for a country of its size.
Who comes out ahead?
Football is the shared passion, and both countries are regularly found in the upper part of the FIFA ranking. Across all lists, the answer changes with every new official publication, which is why the live Compare page is the best place to settle the debate sport by sport.