Page 21 - Soccer360 Issue 106

NICKNAME: ORANJE S360 PREDICTION | 8TH PLACE
GROUP D - UEFA EURO 2024
FACTFILE
POPULATION:
17.6 million
EURO FINALS APPEARANCES: 10
BEST FINISH:
Winners, 1988
MOST MEMORABLE EUROS MOMENT: Marco van Basten’s stunning goal in the Euro ’88 final.
HOW THEY GOT TO EURO 2024: Recovered from a tough start to finish second behind France in their qualifying group.
LAST EUROS APPEARANCE: 2020 - Topped their group before collapsing to defeat against the Czech Republic in the last 16.
MOST CAPPED PLAYER: Wesley Sneijder, 134
LEADING INTERNATIONAL SCORER: Robin van Persie, 50
HOW TO FOLLOW:
ROBIN VAN PERSIE
VS POLAND VS FRANCE VS AUSTRIA JUNE 16TH JUNE 21ST JUNE 25TH 9:00AM | EST 3:00PM | EST 12:00PM | EST
F I F 7A R A N K I N G TH
NETHERLANDS
Some 36 years have passed since the Netherlands’ one and only European Championship triumph and the vocal Oranje support will expect their side to be mixing it with the very best. Ian Waterhouse writes.
EURO APPEARANCES: 10
EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1
THEIR BEST THREE EUROS
1988
2004
2000
1ST
3RD
3RD
UEFA EURO OVERALL RECORD PLD:39 W:20 D: 8L:11
THE COACH:
RONALD KOEMAN
This is Ronald Koeman’s second spell in charge of the Dutch national team, but it’s the first time he’s leading them into a major tournament after leaving for Barcelona ahead of Euro 2020. The knives were out halfway into 2023 after some poor initial results on his return, but he impressively steered them to qualification with some improved results. He will be expected to take the Netherlands to at least the quarter- finals here.
KEY PLAYER:
VIRGIL VAN DIJK
It is a big statement, but the Netherlands possess quite possibly the best array of defensive options of any national team, with some top players set to miss out on the squad altogether. Virgil van Dijk is the jewel in that particular crown. The Liverpool stalwart is arguably the top defender in world football throughout the past few years, and his composure and leadership will guarantee that his side will be extremely hard to break down at Euro 2024.
KOEMAN’S CHARGES
Over the years the Netherlands have been their own worst enemies with internal fractions often derailing their progress. However, in 2024, the omens are good.
After all, it was in Germany in 1988 when the Netherlands defeated the Soviet Union at the Olympiastadion to claim their only major trophy to date. On paper the Netherlands boast a squad full of undoubted talent. The likes of Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay
in attack give head coach Ronald Koeman a nice mix of youth and experience if he
is prepared to give them their freedom, whereas Frenkie de Jong will feel he
has much still to prove on the big stage. Meanwhile, they boast a defensive line that could prove impregnable, with Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Mathijs de Ligt acting as the heartbeat at the back with the side looking strong after conceding just seven goals in eight games during qualification. The road to Euro 2024 actually began somewhat worryingly for the Oranje as
a 4-0 loss to France was followed by a deserved defeat to Croatia in the semi- finals of the UEFA Nations League, but they recovered strongly amid the growing pressure and arrive at the tournament in much better shape. Although the draw handed them an unwelcome rematch with the favourites from France, the Netherlands should have enough to progress from a competitive Group D which also contains Poland and Austria. Indeed, there is every reason to suggest they can reach the latter stages, but a lack of strength in depth in attacking positions could count against them.
PROBABLE STARTING XI
GAKPO
DEPAY
DE JONG
DUMFRIES
VEERMAN
AKE
VERBRUGGEN
DE ROON
VAN DIJK
BLIND
DE LIGT
SOCCER360 SUMMER 2024 19