The UEFA Nations League has provoked an array of reactions, from hostility to bewilderment to praise, but for the four teams who will head to Portugal in early June, it has added a degree of excitement to what would otherwise be a blank summer, and the chance to earn silverware.
England fans tuning in to watch SKY’s coverage of the first ever Nations League play-offs, will be hoping that Gareth Southgate’s team can build on their success at the 2018 World Cup, and their impressive Nations League Group Stage performance in which they beat Spain and Croatia to top spot in the section, to set up their semi-final clash with the Netherlands.
But while England will be the favourites with most bookmakers to win that game, the Netherlands are extremely dangerous opponents, who look ideal contenders to cause an upset.
The proud tradition of football in that small European nation is well-known. From the Total Football era of the 1970s, to the thrills provided by the Ruud Gullit – Marco van Basten generation to the 1990s and 2000s sides featuring the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, the Netherlands has produced some of the world’s greatest players and teams.
They have been at a low ebb in recent years. After veteran coach Louis van Gaal took them to third place at the 2014 World Cup, Guus Hiddink, Danny Blind and Dick Advocaat all had spells in charge, but the Netherlands missed out on Euro 2016 and on the 2018 World Cup.
But the arrival of Dutch legend Ronald Koeman as manager has seen a reversal of their fortunes. Drawn in the toughest of Nations League groups, alongside Germany and World Cup winners France, the Netherlands lost their opening game in Paris, but then beat both their rivals at home, before securing an entertaining 2-2 draw in Gelsenkirchen to top the Group.
At the same time, Dutch domestic football has also been on the rise. Ajax, the club that for so long was associated with the best qualities of Dutch football, made it all the way to the semi-finals of the Champions League and came within seconds of reaching the final, inspired by young stars Frenkie De Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Hakim Ziyech and others. Those players may soon be on their way to other clubs this summer but that talent will still be available to Koeman.
And that blossoming young talent is backed up by the solidity and leadership of Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk, and fellow Reds star Gin Wijnaldum, along with midfielder Kevin Strootman, who may yet end up in the Premier League next season.
The future is bright for the Netherlands international team, but as their performances against Germany and France have shown, they are also capable of competing with the best right now and England fans checking out the BigBetBookmakers site will be vary of backing their team at short odds against the dangerous Dutch this summer.
