One European final, when the only title was won (1988) is the balance of the Dutch football team in continental competitions.
It will not change at least until the next Euro.
"Tulips" were defeated by England 2:1 in the semi-finals, so they were stopped on the last step to the trophy match. If it's any consolation, the fact remains that the Netherlands achieved the best result in Germany after the European championships in 2000 and 2004, when they were last semi-finalists.
Team Ronald Koeman opened the match with Albion brilliantly and took the lead with a goal Xavi Simmons. Then came the penalty for the English, which was awarded only after the intervention of VAR - Harry Kane equalized, but in the 89th minute, the reserve player Ollie Watkins launched the English into the final, and saddened the Dutch.
"I am disappointed with the result. We scored early, but then we had problems in midfield. We allowed it To Jude Bellingham i To Phil Foden to play around. When we inserted another player into the midfield, then the situation on the field was even," said Kuman.
The first half in Dortmund was spectacular - two goals, many chances, good football... It was calmer afterwards, and when everyone was waiting for extra time, Watkins passed the ball into the net and took England to the final.
"In the last 20-25 minutes we were fresher than the English. But they scored a goal, that's football. I think we at least deserved extra time, but I can be proud of the players, because we had a great tournament," said Koeman.
The experienced coach is not worried about the future of the Dutch national team.
"Of course I'm not worried. This team can do so much more. We have other players who are candidates for the national team. We have a base, and we did not disappoint in this tournament", Koman is clear.
The coach of the Netherlands spoke about the final, which will be played between Spain and England on Sunday (21) in Berlin.
"England played well against us as well, especially after conceding a goal. Spain has played fantastic football so far in the tournament, with phenomenal wings. Maybe the English can surprise, why not", believes Kuman.
The match between England and the Netherlands will be recorded as the first European semi-final in which there were four footballers under the age of 22 in the starting line-up - Bellingham and Kobe Maine on one, a Simmons and Bart Ferbrugen on the other side.
"It is difficult to speak after the elimination. The dream has collapsed, I'm disappointed," said Ferbrughen, Brighton's goalkeeper.
The young goalkeeper couldn't save Kane's penalty...
"We prepared well for the game. Harry did exactly what I knew he would do. But I failed to stop him. I was close. He shot well, kudos to him".
The Dutch were left without another final.
"We defended more than we attacked. They threatened us, but I didn't feel that we would concede a goal in the end. Unfortunately we did," Ferbrugen added.
In the 7th minute, Simmons checkedmate with a great goal Jordan Pickford.
"A heavy defeat, we are disappointed. But this is the beginning of a beautiful journey. I'm proud of the team. We wanted to have more possession and control the game. For most of the game, we were compact, waiting for our opponent to make a mistake. "We had chances, but we were tired at the end," Simmons said.
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