The FIFA World Ranking lists the Netherlands as the 12th best national football team. The Dutch, who have reached three world cup finals, have never lifted the Jules Rimet trophy. Could 2020 be the first step to breaking the curse?
The mixture of experience and youth make the Dutch national football team one of the most balanced teams entering Euro 2020. The squad is comprised of a young world class talent such as F.C. Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong and Juventus' Mattiajs De Ligt. With a backline consisting of Ballon D'or nominee Virgil Van Dijk, and 2014 world cup goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, the veterans will hope to guide the youngesters through their second major tournmanent, who lost 1-0 to Portugal in the inaugural UEFA Nations League this past July. "La Naranga Mechanica," the mechanical orange, are searching for their first piece of silverwear since they beat the Soviet Union in 1988. While Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank De Boer, and Frank Rijkaard led the line back then, the young core consisting of Donny Van Der Beek, Steven Bergwijn, and Memphis Depay are hoping to replicate the same.
In the final, Portugal exploited the Dutch's left back, Daley Blind. His lack of pace, when set to mark Portugal's Bernardo Silva, allowed the Portuguese to open passing lanes for Cristiano Ronaldo and even goalscorer Goncalo Guedes. Patrick Van Aanholt, 29, left back for Premier League club Crystal Palace F.C. would have been an ideal replacement for Blind. Although lacking in height, at 5'9", Van Aanholt's back post would be marked by Virgil Van Dijk, arguably the best center back on the planet. Van Dijk won Premier League Player of the Year and the UEFA Champions League in 2019, and is a front runner for this year's FIFA Ballon D'or; which determines the best player in the world.
In a qualifier match against Germany, the Dutch won 4-2 away from home at Hamburg arena. Frenkie De Jong broke the deadlock, before unlocking the pace of Depay and Promes, who found Wijnaldum for the final goal. The chemistry and fluidity of the attack against the 2014 World Cup champions puts the Netherlands top of their qualifying group, tied with Germany on 15 points.
A dominant display from the dutch ended Germany's 5-0-0 record in qualifying, and all but assures them a place in next summer's European championship.
The question remains whether the Dutch can replicate this performance at a major tournament.
In 2010, the Netherlands reached the World Cup final for the third time. They lost 1-0 due to a 116' goal from Spain's Andres Iniesta, and are still yet to win the competition. The golden generation of Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie, and Wesley Sneijder all retired in 2019.
Now, it's up to the new generation to carry fourth what the Flying Dutchmen of 2008 to 2014 couldn't.