European Championship semi-final - Thriller in Dortmund: "Premier League style" in the final?
The atmosphere will reach an EM peak, but will football as well? In the tense semifinal between the Netherlands and England, both nations aim to keep their dream of a first major title in ages alive with all their might.
Over 100,000 fans from both countries are expected on Wednesday in Dortmund and will transform the football temple into a deafening orange and white cauldron. Whether they can hope for an EM final, however, their national teams have not necessarily earned it with top-notch sports artistry.
The favored English team, in particular, have plodded through the tournament more than dominating their opponents. The performances of their star ensemble, the most expensive team at the EM, were often lackluster. Yet, the potential is enormous, especially in offense. Whether it's Bayern superstar Harry Kane, midfielder Jude Bellingham, or the two dynamic dribblers Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden: They all represent pacey football with a guarantee of goals. And it's not just them.
Many players know each other well
"I think we'll see a game in the Premier League style," said Dutch national player and former Bundesliga pro Micky van de Ven, who now plays for Tottenham Hotspur. "The rhythm and the level of play will be high. Many players know each other from the Premier League."
Indeed, this duel for the EM final has something of a classic clash. Thirty-one players in both squads play in the Premier League. Others, like Dutch midfielder Memphis Depay, have already been active in the world's best football league. The football of the two nations is also closely intertwined in other ways.
In Arne Slot, a Dutch coach, will take over as the next coach of Liverpool in the coming season, replacing Jürgen Klopp. English defender Luke Shaw received a stern message from his Dutch trainer at Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, before the semifinal. And coach Ronald Koeman also has a special relationship with the upcoming opponent.
Koeman and his England history
When the Netherlands defeated the Three Lions on their way to the EM title in Düsseldorf in 1988, the 61-year-old was there as a player. Five years later, he scored a goal in the WM qualifier against England, only to see yellow instead of red just beforehand. The Netherlands won 2:0, England missed the World Cup. As a coach, Koeman had already worked for Southampton and Everton. He is known as a pragmatist - just like his counterpart Gareth Southgate.
Both had to endure harsh criticism from home this time. Many fans and observers were not satisfied with just making it to the semifinals in four tournaments. Some English supporters even threw beer cans at Southgate and insulted him with obscene gestures.
"I can't deny that it hurts when things get as personal as they have recently. I don't think it's normal when beer is thrown at you," the 53-year-old said. "But we've made it to the third semifinal in four tournaments. We're continuing and enjoying this journey."
Shaw supports Southgate with clear words
England reached the EM final in 2021 but lost to Italy in the penalty shootout. This time, they hope to finally secure the second major title since the 1966 World Cup triumph at home. The team's unity in the face of criticism from the outside could also be a factor.
We players love him. He is exactly what we need. He allows us to show our best on the field," said Linksdefender Shaw about Southgate. And Kane declared: "We are in the semifinals, so we must be doing something right. We really have faith that we can create something special."
Both of them, as well as our opponent, share this quality: the ability to bounce back after setbacks. The somewhat weak performances in the group stage and in the first half against Turkey did not dampen the Dutch fans' euphoria in the least. "We can be proud that we have reached the semifinals," said Koeman. "No one expected it. But the mission is not yet complete."
"The Yellow Wall belongs to us now"
In their attempt to make it to a major final for the first time since the 2010 World Cup, the Dutch team wants to have significantly more fans present at the game on Wednesday (9 p.m./ARD/MagentaTV) than can fit into the stadium. Around 62,000 spectators are allowed at EM games in the Dortmund Arena. Up to 80,000 jubilant Dutch fans are expected in the city and, no doubt, will once again leapfrog from left to right with their famous EM dance. "The Yellow Wall belongs to us now," titled the Dutch newspaper "AD" with a nod to the legendary South Stand.
- Gareth Southgate, the English manager, will face Ronald Koeman, his former opponent and coach in the Premier League, during the semifinal between England and the Netherlands.
- Jude Bellingham, a midfielder from the English team, has been impressive in the Premier League, and his performance in the Euros has also been noteworthy.
- Phil Foden, another English star, has shown his pace and goal-scoring abilities throughout the tournament, proving to be a crucial player for the team.
- Memphis Depay, the Dutch midfielder, has experience playing in the Premier League and has been an essential player in his country's run at the Euros.
- Luke Shaw, the English defender, received guidance from his Dutch coach Erik ten Hag at Manchester United before the semifinal match.
- Arne Slot, a Dutch coach, will take over as the next coach of Liverpool, replacing Jurgen Klopp, further connecting the football landscapes of England and the Netherlands.
- Bukayo Saka, an English winger, is another player with the potential to score goals and change the game's outcome, especially in high-pressure situations like the semifinal.
- Harry Kane, the Bayern forward, will look to lead England's offense and help them secure their first major title since the 1966 World Cup.
- The predictable rhythm and high-level play of the Premier League will be on display during the semifinal as many players from both teams have been playing together in the league.
- Both England and the Netherlands are familiar with each other's styles of play, having numerous players in the Premier League and having faced one another in past competitions, which could make the semifinal a highly anticipated and intriguing match.
