The upcoming Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Netherlands is a match that brings back memories for fans. One such memory is from Euro ’96 when England defeated the Dutch with a 4-1 victory, thanks to two goals each from Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham. However, the Dutch have also caused disappointment for England in the past, particularly in Euro ’88 when Marco van Basten’s hat-trick led to a 3-1 defeat for England.
The Netherlands has a rich football history, having reached back-to-back World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978. In 2019, the country decided to rebrand its international image, changing from ‘Holland’ to ‘The Netherlands’ in an attempt to update its global image.
Former England defender Micah Richards believes that while the Netherlands has players who can be dangerous, he would still prefer the England squad. This sets the stage for an interesting clash between the two teams.
The Netherlands may have finished third in their group behind Austria and France, but they are just two wins away from their first major tournament victory since 1988. Their leader on the field is Virgil van Dijk, widely considered one of the world’s best defenders. Van Dijk missed the 2020 Euros due to a knee injury but has been a key player for the Dutch in Germany, helping them keep a clean sheet against France.
Dutch fans have made their presence known during Euro 2024, painting Germany orange and creating a vibrant and fun atmosphere wherever they go. The passion and support of the fans are crucial to the team’s success, according to Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk.
On the field, the Dutch have shown their goal-scoring prowess with nine goals in five games. Cody Gakpo, Van Dijk’s Liverpool teammate, has been a standout player, scoring three goals and becoming one of the tournament’s joint-leading scorers. Gakpo is only the third Dutch player to score three or more goals in two different major tournaments. Another exciting talent for the Dutch is Xavi Simons, who has provided three assists in this tournament and had a successful loan spell at RB Leipzig.
Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands’ manager, is hoping to lead his country to victory, seven years after being sacked by Everton. He could become only the second person, after Germany’s Berti Vogts, to win the Euros as both a player and a manager. Koeman’s leadership has reignited the hopes of Dutch fans, as he aims to guide the team to their first European Championship semi-final since 2004.
The upcoming semi-final between England and the Netherlands promises to be an exciting and closely contested match. Both teams have their strengths and histories of success, making it a clash that fans won’t want to miss.