The only title won by the Dutch football team was in 1988, when the generation Mark van Basten celebrated at the European Championship in FR Germany. Never before, and even after that, "tulips" have never won a trophy, even though it has been generations Johan Cruyff, and then Arjen Robben i Wesley Snyder played in the finals of the world championships.
And the Dutch have a chance for a new trophy this week, when they will organize the final tournament of the League of Nations. The host cities are Enschede and Rotterdam, where "oranje" will play the semi-final with Croatia tonight (20.45:XNUMX p.m.). Spain and Italy meet tomorrow in the second semi-final.
- We are well prepared, we trained well and I am optimistic, even though Croatia is strong. Of course, we are always under pressure, that's normal. We are playing at home, but there will also be a lot of fans from Croatia. It is important to win, I hope for first place. We have a good team, very good players. We will show the mentality of the winner - said the coach of the Netherlands Ronald Koeman.
At the Feyenoord stadium, "De Kijk", the Netherlands have not lost in 23 years.
- We haven't lost in Rotterdam for years, I believe that will be an advantage for us - added the former coach of Barcelona.
Croatia has been at the top for years - second place at the 2018 World Cup, then bronze in 2022, winning the group in the A League of Nations...
- I have to praise the guys who worked great, as if it was the beginning of the season. That is our goal to show in these two games. We want to enjoy football. We made a great result. We will try to finish everything with a medal. We are waiting for a great host, who is at the top of world football. I am an optimist, I have seen our energy and desire. That's what we want to show. This is a great success - said the Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic.
"Vatren" are clear - the goal is the title.
- We came to the Netherlands to win a medal, there is no question of letting someone go home early if we lose in the semi-finals. None of us want to go home. We'll do anything to make it big. We are ready, we will do our best - said Dalić.
- In the beginning, this was a bad competition for us, but now we are here with great ambitions. We want to do the best, try to make history. We are among the four in Europe. We have no reason to calculate. We will try to do our best. We also have a quality opponent - said the Croatian coach.
The final will be played on Sunday, June 18.
SCHEDULE, semi-finals
Tonight
20.45:XNUMX p.m. Netherlands - Croatia
Thursday
20.45 Spain - Italy
Sunday
15.00:XNUMX Match for third place
20.45h Finale
Bonus video:
