European Football Championship - Children's art and BVB double-packer: Oranje dreams at the title venue
At the site of the greatest triumph, Donyell Malen of Dortmund's double-act kindled a new level of the Orange Party. In Munich, where Ronald Koeman had become European champion as a player 36 years ago, the Dutch football national team returned to the circle of tournament favorites with a 3:0 (1:0) win against Romania. "Our mission here is to become European champions. We are a strong team, we have the quality," said defender Denzel Dumfries.
"Left! Right!" - The fans in the stands were torn out of their sadness following the 2:3 loss against Austria by the goals from Cody Gakpo and the BVB striker. They danced exuberantly their EM-dance. "This is our level," said Koeman after an "extraordinary performance" from his team. "If you slack off at this level, you won't make it to the final." The Turkish team, who defeated Austria 2:1, will be the quarterfinal opponents on Saturday at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
"Great time" - Repeat desired
The dream of a second national team title for the three-time World Cup runner-up is alive. "We have great talents in the team," said the 61-year-old. "Of course, you have to win something." The team managed to do that exactly once: On June 25, 1988, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten led the selection around the feared defender Koeman to a 2:0 against the former Soviet Union.
"It was a great time," said Koeman. Back then, we also had the necessary luck. This time, Koeman could at least value a letter and a painted picture of his grandson as a lucky charm for the present.
At the former final venue Olympiastadion, where the fans distributed small film clips with photos from back then, the supporters began their mood-enhancing fan march before the Romania match. "People compare it to 1988, but it was a different football," emphasized Koeman. Today it's more physical, faster, and the technical level is very high. You can see in the ongoing tournament that every team has its problems in advancing in the changed football world.
Chance conversion as a problem
"That's great because you get to see good football games," said Koeman. A problem for the Dutch: Chance conversion. Before Joker Malen scored in the closing stages - and right in the middle of Romania's goalkeeper Florin Nita's cleanup work due to a pair of sneakers on the grass - Gakpo & Co. had missed numerous scoring opportunities. "We're not quite there yet where we want to be," said Liverpool striker Gakpo after the first quarterfinal for his country since 2008.
The current generation, which does not include the often admired Bayern transfer candidate Matthijs de Ligt despite an elite offense, does not have a world-class striker like van Basten in this tournament. Chance conversion remains a weakness. Just like Xavi Simons, Gakpo, or Malen at their former workplace of their often admired wing partner Arjen Robben, it provides a lot of fun to watch.
Praise for Koeman
"My team did really well", said Koeman. He himself was praised after much criticism. "Ronald Koeman gives the Dutch team stability again", wrote football magazine "Voetbal International". "The result is always the most important thing", said Koeman "But we are Dutch and in Holland we have to play nicely and show attacking football. But to win, that's the hardest part." Since January 2023, Koeman has been the successor of Louis van Gaal as coach of the National Team.
A change is never easy, said Gakpo, who was named player of the match. "Every trainer has a different style. We've been working on it for over a year and a half. Now we're at the point where you can say it's going well." Will it get better? Koeman hopes so - and takes the Liverpool striker, after a difficult season for him, as a benchmark for the team.
Gakpo as a benchmark
"He's playing the tournament at a fantastic level. Maybe he's been the most important player so far. I hope the others will reach his level," said the national coach. At least in the penalty shootout, Malen outperformed his offensive colleague this time. He celebrated his goal at the stadium of the great Bundesliga rival FC Bayern. Malen missed the 2:0 of BVB in March due to injury.
"He's a super guy. But I think all reserve players have the quality to turn a game for us," said Inter-Milan pro Dumfries. "Now we're focusing on the next game - but there's a bigger goal." On the way there, the fans at home are also happy again. "The Dutch team has exchanged the mask of powerlessness for a fresh, exciting face," formulated it the daily newspaper "de Volkskrant".
- Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Denzel Dumfries, a defender from BVB, expressed his confidence in becoming European champions with the Netherlands.
- In a 3:0 win against Romania, Donyell Malen of Dortmund and Cody Gakpo contributed goals, lifting the spirits of disappointed Dutch fans following a 2:3 loss against Austria.
- Ronald Koeman, the Dutch national team coach, shared his joy, referring to the great time he had 36 years ago when he became European champion in Munich, Germany.
- The Turkish team, who defeated Austria 2:1, serves as the quarterfinal opponents for the Netherlands, aiming to reach the final round of the European Football Championship.
- Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, legendary players of the Dutch national soccer team, led the team to their only national title victory against the Soviet Union in 1988, during the European Football Championship.
- Denzel Dumfries emphasized that the Dutch team has great talents, referring to their aim to not just participate in the tournament but to win it.
- At the Berlin Olympic Stadium, Cody Gakpo shared his thoughts on the team's performance, acknowledging their improvement but still pointing out the need to enhance their conversion rate.
- The lack of world-class striking talent persists in the current Dutch team, presenting a challenge in scoring opportunities.
- Opponents in the ongoing tournament have faced their own set of problems in advancing in the changing football landscape, as Koeman noted.
- As a symbol of luck and inspiration, Koeman carries a letter and a painted picture of his grandson, remembering the good times and understanding the importance of staying focused to achieve success.
- After much criticism, Koeman's leadership skills have gained recognition, leading the team to a stable formation and a return to attacking football, similar to the style embraced in the Netherlands.
