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Dutch back in the big time hoping to make impact

Friday, June 4th, 2021 00:00 | By
Netherlands’ forward Memphis Depay (right) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during their international friendly match against Scotland at the Algarve stadium in Faro, on June 2, 2021, in preperation for the UEFA European Championships. Photo/AFP

Amsterdam, Thursday

After failing to qualify for Euro 2016 or the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands are back in the big time and aiming to make a big impression in this European Championship in a group also containing Austria, Ukraine and debutants North Macedonia.

Netherlands

After a spell in the doldrums, the Netherlands look a force to be reckoned with again despite coming into the Euro without centre-back Virgil van Dijk as he recovers from a knee injury.

Their revival began under Ronald Koeman, who took them to the Nations League final in 2019 and also oversaw a 4-2 win in Germany in qualifying as the Dutch finished second in Group C.

However, Koeman departed last August to join Barcelona. They had a slow start under new coach Frank de Boer and lost 4-2 in Turkey in World Cup qualifying in March.

Nevertheless they boast quality throughout their side, from Matthijs de Ligt in central defence to Frenkie de Jong and Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield and Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst up front. Playing group games at home in Amsterdam is an extra boost.

Ukraine

Ukraine have qualified for a third consecutive Euro and will be eager to make a better impression this time after going out in the group stage when they co-hosted with Poland in 2012, and then failing to register a goal or a point in 2016.

Under Andriy Shevchenko, the legendary former striker who captained his country to the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, Ukraine topped their Euro 2020 qualifying group ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Notable recent results include a home Nations League win over Spain and holding France to a draw away in World Cup qualifying.

Austria

Austria failed to win a game in either of their two previous appearances at a Euro: as co-hosts of Euro 2008 and then at Euro 2016.

Here they are regarded as a potentially dangerous outsider, with a 26-man squad containing 21 players who featured in the German Bundesliga in this past season.

The German Franco Foda took charge after a poor showing in 2018 World Cup qualifying, and Austria recovered from losing their first two Euro qualifiers to come second in their group behind Poland.

North Macedonia

Qualifying for a first major tournament was a sensational achievement for the Balkan nation of two million who have made major steps forward under coach Igor Angelovski in recent years.

They came third in their qualifying group behind Poland and Austria but earned a crack at a finals berth via the Nations League play-offs. A 1-0 win in Georgia last November secured their historic qualification. -AFP

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