Virgil van Dijk in a duel with Kylian Mbappé over the last mutual assembly within the Johan Cruijff Area. – Picture: KNVB Media
The Dutch nationwide group opens the summer time in Leipzig with the second group match on the European Championship towards France. Based on many, ‘Les Bleus’ are the highest favourite for the general victory. However Ronald Koeman has already confirmed in 2018 that he can shock his colleague Didier Deschamps. Each international locations gained their opening match and the large query for the match is: will Masked Mbappé take part? With these eleven information you might be effectively ready.
1) France is quantity two within the FIFA rankings and the nation with the strongest choice. Even the financial institution might change into European champions, say soccer followers. Why not with Champions League finalists like Camavinga and Mendy as reserves. The nationwide coach is usually accused of letting his group play too boringly. He would not care regarding that himself. “I simply take into consideration successful.” The European Championships are on the prime of his bucket record.
2) France can discipline eleven prime gamers, however the absolute star is following all Kylian Mbappé. The one query is whether or not the long run Galactico will take part towards the Netherlands. Mbappé broke his nostril within the match towards Austria and can put on a masks if he’s drafted by Deschamps. This nonetheless must be adjusted as a result of the primary mannequin was rejected by UEFA. It have to be black.
3) France gained the primary group match, identical to the Dutch group. Austria confirmed quite a lot of braveness towards the French and stayed within the match for a very long time, however that was additionally as a result of the French attackers didn’t have their sights set. An personal purpose by former Ajax participant Max Wöber was sufficient for the victory; 0-1.
4) The Netherlands and France face one another for the thirty first time. The steadiness is in favor of ‘de Haantjes’ with 15 victories. The Netherlands gained 11 instances. The 2 international locations balanced one another 4 instances. Surprisingly sufficient, the Netherlands has scored extra; 57 objectives, in comparison with 53 for French objectives.
— The Netherlands gained the primary group match, identical to France.
5) The Netherlands and France additionally met within the European Championship qualification. France gained twice. In Paris the Dutch group had no likelihood; 4-0. Within the Johan Cruijff Area it was extra thrilling due to a purpose by debutant Quilindschy Hartman, however the Netherlands nonetheless misplaced; 1-2. That was France’s seventh victory over the Dutch group with Deschamps in the end accountable on the bench. He has not gained extra typically from any nation.
6) However he additionally is aware of what shedding to an Orange group led by nationwide coach Ronald Koeman is like. On November 16, 2018, world champion France got here to De Kuip as favorites, however the Netherlands gained the heroic match within the Nations League 2-0 due to objectives from Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay.
Highlights: Netherlands – France (16/11/2018) Nations League
7) The Netherlands and France will face one another for the fourth time at a European Championship closing spherical. We’ve got not performed towards any nation extra typically at a European Championship. The Netherlands gained in 2000 (3-2) and in 2008 (4-1). France took higher penalties within the quarter-finals in 1996.
8) Probably the most lovely matches within the Dutch Championship historical past is the Netherlands – France within the closing spherical of 2008. The Netherlands wins 4-1 towards the vice world champion within the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf in Bern. Watch and revel in.
Highlights Netherlands – France 4-1 (13/06/2008) European Championship 2008
9) Talking of watching and having fun with; June 21 is a memorable day for the Orange supporter. We reached the ultimate twice on the daybreak of summer time. In 1978 by beating Italy 2-1. And ten years later in maybe the most important competitors that the Netherlands has ever gained; the semi-final towards West Germany. Nationwide coach Ronald Koeman transformed a penalty. His assistant and brother Erwin performed the match of his life. The Netherlands gained 2-1 and later grew to become European champions. Different Instances Sports activities just lately obtained into the time machine with each brothers. Again to 1988.
— The Dutch nationwide group on the European Championships in 1988; with the nationwide coach and assistant nationwide coach sitting facet by facet. Picture: Nationwide Archives
10) An anticipated 40,000 Orange supporters have traveled to Leipzig. About half of them will – from left to proper – discover a spot within the Purple Bull Area, which landed like a sort of UFO within the former Zentral Stadium within the then GDR.
11) The Purple Bull Area is acquainted territory for Xavi Simons. The agile attacker performed a powerful season for the German prime membership RB Leipzig. Hopefully the house feeling will give him the arrogance to shine for the Dutch group as a lot as for his membership.
