Flying Dutchmen optimistic of their Euro title hopes as tournament nears culmination

Aymeric Laporte of Spain is challenged by Leroy Sane of Germany during their quarter-final match on 5 July in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

By Yanga Sibembe

8 Jul 2024

Of the four remaining teams, the Netherlands are the least favoured nation to win the 2024 European Championship. Spain leads the way, closely followed by England and France. Yet the Dutch are confident they can surprise everyone.

Of the 24 aspirant nations that started the European Championship almost a month ago, only four remain. Spain, France, England and the Netherlands.

Spain ousted hosts Germany with a 2-1 win after extra time was required to separate the two global soccer heavyweights, with substitute Mikel Merino stealing it for the Spaniards and breaking German hearts when penalties were looming over the contest.

France and Portugal did need penalties to separate them after they played out to a largely underwhelming two hours of soccer. Neither side was able to score, but the French were composed from the penalty spot – walking away 5-3 victors to set up a tussle with Spain.

Breel Embolo of Switzerland is challenged by Declan Rice of England during their quarter-final match on 6 July in Düsseldorf, Germany. (Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Penalties is also what it took for England to shake off a spirited Switzerland side in their quarterfinal clash. The match ended one-all after extra time, but the English held their nerve, winning the shootout 5-3 to book a second consecutive Euro semifinal.

When they clash with the Dutch on Wednesday night, the English will also be eyeing a second final on the trot. This after reaching the Euro 2020 decider, only to be beaten by Italy.

Flying Dutchmen

The Netherlands had to display much resilience and grit to defeat Turkey 2-1 during their quarterfinal encounter. These are the qualities that will serve them well as they chase just their second major trophy.

The Dutch were winners of the 1988 Euros. However, since that maiden success, joy has been elusive for them in European soccer’s premier international contest. A Fifa World Cup triumph remains even more elusive.

For the past 20 years, a Euro semifinal spot has been a rare experience for the Dutchmen. The win over Turkey made it six Euro semifinals for the Netherlands, but a first since 2004. Ronald Koeman praised his team for “showing heart” to reach the semis.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Kylian Mbappé battles boyhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo in Euro 2024 quarters

“For the whole nation, it’s something special. We are a small nation and we’re in the semifinals with England, France and Spain. We are really proud,” Koeman stated.

“We had to suffer (to reach this stage). But it’s a great success to get the opportunity to play in a semifinal,” the 61-year-old tactician added.

This mental fortitude will be a useful tool, especially against an English side that possesses some of the best players in world soccer. But an English team that has mostly lucked its way to this stage of the tournament after playing some extremely drab soccer.

“There is great belief in being able to do something special at this European Championship,” said defender Micky van de Ven on how the team was feeling after reaching the last four.

“We have shown resilience and are mentally strong. It will be important that we give everything in the next two games. Then we will hopefully go home with that cup,” the Tottenham Hotspur player added.

Clash of the titans

Spain versus France promises to be a colossal contest. That said, after how they played against Germany (versus how France played against Portugal), the Spaniards head into Tuesday’s tussle as favourites to reach a fifth Euro final.

Should they navigate past the defensively sound French (who have four clean sheets from five matches at Euro 2024), a fourth Euro title would be just one win away. That win would see La Roja become the most successful nation at the continental showpiece. They are currently tied on three Euro trophies with Germany.

Aymeric Laporte of Spain is challenged by Leroy Sane of Germany during their quarter-final match on 5 July in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Les Bleus are aiming for a fourth major tournament final in the past eight years. They reached the 2016 Euro decider, as well as the finals of the most recent World Cups. The only blemish to this impressive tournament record by Didier Deschamps’s side came at the previous Euros – when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by England.

“We’re in the semifinals and it’s something we shouldn’t take for granted, even if we may be used to it recently,” Deschamps said after his team outmanoeuvred Portugal. “Now we go to win it.”

The French have been criticised for lukewarm displays, with the team yet to score any goals of their own in open play. The French goals have come either from own goals or penalty kicks. Les Bleus are unbothered by this statistic though, especially if it means they can lift their first Euro title since 2000.

“We are semifinalists. Questions about the level of Antoine (Griezmann) and Kylian (Mbappé)? We have to realise that that’s enough to be in the semi-finals. So, I don’t see why we would nitpick,” midfielder Youssouf Fofana said.

He is not wrong either. Tournament soccer is all about the result. Sometimes it is not pretty. It is just about who is hungrier for victory on the day. DM

Euro 2024 semifinal fixtures:

Spain vs France – Tuesday, 9 July (9pm)

Netherlands vs England – Wednesday, 10 July (9pm)

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