The Netherlands will return to compete at their eleventh European Championship this summer time as they bid to enhance on their last-16 exit from the match three years in the past.
Underneath Frank de Boer, they breezed by means of their group by successful all three video games towards Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia, however got here unstuck towards Czech Republic within the first knockout spherical.
Now, they’re again with a brand new supervisor within the dugout and a recent squad of gamers hopeful of doing one thing particular in Germany.
They haven’t been handed the best group, however with 16 groups out of 24 progressing to the knockout phases, the Netherlands have each cause to be assured of placing a run collectively to problem Europe’s elite over the approaching weeks.
However who’s in command of the Netherlands lately? And which gamers must you be looking for?
Mail Sport takes you thru the Netherlands, together with how they certified for the match, their historical past within the competitors and who to look out for.
The Netherlands will probably be aiming to win their second European Championship this summer time
They are going to be led by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (pictured) in Germany
Who’s the supervisor?
Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman has returned for a second spell in command of the nationwide crew after additionally managing the facet from February 2018 to August 2020.
He opted to maneuver again into membership administration at Barcelona 4 years in the past, however lasted a bit over a 12 months on the Nou Camp earlier than being sacked.
Following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Koeman was introduced again in to interchange Louis van Gaal.
He has overseen a combined bag of outcomes over the past 18 months, however will hope for his crew to discover a stage of consistency this summer time to present themselves an opportunity of going all the best way.
Ronald Koeman is again in cost after beforehand managing the crew between 2018 and 2020
Who’s their star man?
Xavi Simons
Everyone knows what Virgil van Dijk can do on the again, and he may even put on the captain’s armband in Germany.
Frenkie de Jong can be key to the Netherlands’ hopes. The midfielder has had an injury-hit season at Barcelona, however he’s the participant that makes his crew tick, and if he finds his rhythm there are few higher at dictating the tempo of a recreation.
However Simons will get the nod after a standout season at RB Leipzig. He completed the marketing campaign with 10 targets and 15 assists throughout all competitions, and will probably be tasked with being the crew’s chief creator this summer time.
The Netherlands have regarded a bit light-weight up high in latest tournaments, but when Simons and Memphis Depay can gel, they’ll trigger loads of issues within the ultimate third this time round.
Xavi Simons has had a superb season and appears able to burst onto the worldwide scene
How did they qualify?
The Netherlands had been positioned in Group B alongside World Cup finalists France for Euro 2024 qualifying they usually obtained off to a disastrous begin after they had been thrashed 4-0 by Les Bleus in Paris final March.
They recovered to win three video games on the bounce towards Gibraltar, Greece and Republic of Eire, earlier than shedding the return match towards France 2-1 in Amsterdam.
Koeman’s males nonetheless had work to do heading into their ultimate three group video games, however they picked up consecutive 1-0 victories over Greece and Republic of Eire earlier than ending with a flourish by thrashing Gibraltar 6-0 to e book their spot in Germany.
They took 18 factors from a potential 24 to qualify with one thing to spare. And what’s their reward? Being put in the identical group as France once more at Euro 2024…
The Netherlands misplaced each of their matches towards France in qualifying, together with a 4-0 thrashing in Paris
The Netherlands recovered effectively from these losses to qualify for Euro 2024 with time to spare
Fixtures (all UK time)
The Netherlands vs Poland – Sunday June 16, 2pm at Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
The Netherlands vs France – Friday June 21, 8pm at Crimson Bull Enviornment, Leipzig
The Netherlands vs Austria – Tuesday June 25, 5pm at Olympiastadion, Berlin
Event historical past
The Netherlands have received the Euros earlier than again in 1988 after beating the Soviet Union 2-0 within the ultimate.
Ruud Gullit opened the scoring that day, however the match is finest remembered for Marco van Basten’s unbelievable volley – arguably the best Euros objective ever. The place was that match held, you ask? Germany. omen for Oranje.
The proud European nation have additionally completed third on no fewer than 4 events in 1976, 1992, 2000 and 2004.
However they haven’t obtained previous the quarter-finals within the final 20 years. They are going to really feel it is time to finish that disappointing run.
The Netherlands received the Euros in 1988 in Germany, however have not received a significant match since
The ultimate will at all times be remembered for Marco van Basten’s unbelievable second-half volley
Odds to win the trophy
18/1 – odds supplied by Sky Guess. Odds are appropriate on the time of publishing.
Confirmed squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow, Mark Flekken, Bart Verbruggen
Defenders: Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Matthijs de Ligt, Micky van de Ven, Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries, Jeremie Frimpong, Lutsharel Geertruida, Virgil van Dijk
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Teun Koopmeiners, Tijjani Reijnders, Jerdy Schouten, Xavi Simons, Joey Veerman, Georginio Wijnaldum
Attackers: Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Wout Weghorst
