For a nation that has won the Euros before, it has been an extraordinary period of underperformance in the competition, including one outright failure to qualify at all.
Given this run of non-achievement came on the back of five successive super-impressive outings between 1988 and 2004 – champions, semis, quarters, semis, semis – it makes their return now to the last eight all the more welcome, all the more important and all the more surprising.
Welcome, because of their history, their support, their colour, the nostalgia they bring and more. Important, for the nation itself: Dutch football hasn’t had a tremendous time with manager turnover, the failure to reach the 2018 World Cup and the relative lack of sustained progress at club level in continental competitions.
And surprising because... to be blunt, this isn’t a vintage group of Dutch players. There are some tremendously talented individuals, but they had yet to show they are a great team and a handful of star operators are either playing not fully sharp or missing entirely. Not to mention the fact they only finished third in their group stage.
But despite all that, or perhaps in part because of it and the way the Euro 2024 draw has opened up, they are through: 3-0 winners over Romania in a fairly one-sided match in Munich which showed both the promise of the Oranje and the improvements they still have to make to go the distance – but also where Ronald Koeman has got it right.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Biden In Post-Debate Health Check To Placate Democrats
Joe Biden was said to have undergone a medical check-up after last week’s debate as he revealed the prognosis to a group of 20 governors, sources Say.
Misfiring Rivals In Search Of The Quality Of Compromise
Didier Deschamps needs a lone trophy to finish a unique grand slam. He has won the World Cup and the European Championships as a player, the World Cup as a manager.
PM Must 'Honour Pledge Of Safe Route For Afghan Allies'
Coalition of lawyers and refugee workers write to new leader
Starmer's Biggest Issues As He Takes The Keys To No 10
The incoming PM’s in-tray will be more daunting than usual due to a rotten economic inheritance, writes Andrew Grice
CIRCUIT TRAINING
A Formula E driver’s fitness regime is not for the unhealthy, faint-hearted or hungover, as Olivia Petter discovered when she spent a day working out with McLaren racer Sam Bird
Anti-tourism protests won't keep me away from Mallorca
Like the holidaymaker laying down his beach towel at the crack of dawn, protests against overtourism in Mallorca have started even before the summer season has got going.
Backrow bravado may help England conquer All Blacks
It is a little over 60 years now since England embarked on their first Antipodean adventure, a squad led by Mike Weston following previous French, Scottish and Irish tours to make a belated arrival in the Southern Hemisphere in 1963.
Germany could regret late goal as they brace for Spain
It is something that Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t even want to be mentioned around the German camp, but it’s now impossible not to consider.
Dart's tie-break tears leave Boulter down and wiped out
It is the deciding tie-break, and Harriet Dart is losing 6-2 and on the edge of defeat when she walks to the back of Wimbledon’s No 1 Court and begins to cry.
Centre Court rises to start of Murray's long goodbye
The result quickly faded from memory, as a standing ovation for the losing team signalled the start of a long farewell.