LESS than an hour after Holland had booked their place in a semi-final against England, lan Atkins' phone pinged.
"Who are you supporting then?" read the message.
Atkins grinned. His protege Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij, who scored in the quarter-final against Turkey (below) was jokingly questioning his loyalties.
For the ex-Everton title-winner, it was to be expected, the happy outcome of a surprise friendship born out of De Vrij tapping into the lesser-known teachings of an ex-ballroom dancing champion from England's North East.
Atkins was a convert himself during his playing days and has passed on the knowledge, an experience he hopes will not count against the Three Lions tonight.
The 67-year-old said: "In December 2013, I was Everton's European scout and I was in the car with Stefan's agent, Alex Kroos.
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Denne historien er fra July 10, 2024-utgaven av Daily Express.
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