Orange fashion: Former European champion in the semi-finals after a quarter of a century

Almost a quarter of a century - 24 years, it took the Dutch to return to where they belong - to the semi-finals of the European Championship, among the best national teams of the Old Continent.

The European champion from 1988 was last in the semi-finals in 2000, at "his" Euro, which he organized with Belgium. The "Oranges" were then magically stopped by Italy, they missed two penalties from the game and three more in a series of penalties, many years later they will try to pay for everything - to the English.

The big European derby is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10. It will be played in Dortmund, at 21 p.m.

Ronald Koeman's chosen ones went through quarter-final hell against fanatical Turkey tonight, they were losing at halftime, but in the end, unlike all the other semi-finalists - Spain, France and England, resolved the matter in the regular course, did not wait for extra time - 2:1.

Inter's Stefan De Frej in the 70th and Liverpool's Cody Gakpo in the 76th (in the end Muldur was credited with an own goal) completely neutralized Turkin Akajdin's goal in the 35th minute.

Vincenzo Montela's team, rivals of Montenegro in the upcoming edition of the League of Nations, played another great match, left their hearts on the field of the Olympic Stadium, in the end they had chances for 2:2 and in a way deserved extra time, but Austria also deserved them against them in the round of XNUMX, so she didn't have them - the orange half of the stadium in Berlin celebrated.

The Netherlands entered the match more offensively, had the initiative and more possession, and the closest to the goal were after attempts by Depay and Xavi Simmons.

In the middle of the half, Turkey managed to get rid of the pressure and threaten through Bardakdzi, who caught the ball badly from a good position and shot over the goal.

Turkey took the lead in the 35th minute. Guler sent a cross to the second post, where Akajdin was the highest in the jump and shook the net with a header under the crossbar a few meters from the goal.

In the second half, the Netherlands continued with the initiative, but Turkey had the first chance, when Guler shot from a free kick from 56 meters in the 26th minute, but his good shot was stopped by the post.

Turkey had a new opportunity in the 65th minute, Jilmaz shot from the edge of the penalty area in the middle of the goal, but goalkeeper Verbrugen was well placed.

The Netherlands equalized in the 70th minute. Depay crossed, De Fray was the highest in the jump and shook the net with a header from about 10 meters in the middle of the goal.

Six minutes later, the result was reversed. Dumfries sent the ball on the ground into the penalty area, Gakpo was on the other post, Muldur tried to stop him but hit his own net as he fell.

In the 85th minute, Turkey had a good chance to equalize, but Čelik's shot was blocked by Van De Ven, in the continuation of the action, the defense of the Netherlands again intervened well and De Fray blocked another attempt by the Turkish attackers.

Gakpo had an opportunity in the 89th minute to solve the question of the winner, he came out alone in front of the goalkeeper, but Gunok reacted perfectly and saved his net.

Turkey missed the best opportunity to equalize in the second minute of stoppage time. Ayhan shot from five meters, Verbruggen reacted instinctively and saved his shot.

Turkey tried until the end of the match, but the Netherlands managed to defend itself and qualify for the semi-finals.

NETHERLANDS - TURKEY 2:1

Berlin - Olympic Stadium. Referee: Clemont Turpin (France). Scorers: De Fray in the 70th and Muldur (own goal) in the 76th minute for the Netherlands, Akajdin in the 35th minute for Turkey.

Netherlands (4-3-3): Ferbruggen - Dumfries, De Frey, Van Dijk, Ake (from 74. Van De Ven) - Shauten, Simmons (from 88. Zirkze), Rejnders (from 74. Verman) - Bergwein (from 46. ​​Verghorst), Depaj (from 88. Fripong), Gakpo.

Turkey (5-4-1): Gunok - Muldur (from 82. Çelik), Ayhan, Akajdin (from 82. Tosun), Bardakdzi, Kadioglu - Yilmaz, Ozcan (from 77. Jokuslu), Calhanoglu, Yildiz (from 77. Arkutoglu) - Guler.