Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Netherlands
It has been 20 years since the Netherlands reached the final four of a European Championships. So, are they due a big run?
We've rounded up everything you need to know about the Dutch in this comprehensive team guide, which features tactical analysis, players to watch out for, predicted line-ups, betting tips and much more.
How Netherlands qualified for Euro 2024
The Oranje cruised to a second-placed finish in Group B during qualifying, finishing four points behind runaway leaders France.
Winning six of their eight matches, their only two defeats both came to Les Bleus — a narrow 2-1 defeat in Amsterdam following a 4-0 pasting in Paris on matchday one.
Still, they have pushed through a rocky start under manager Ronald Koeman to put together six wins in their last eight matches, securing a comfortable passage to the Championships this summer in the process.
Top scorer honours were shared between on-loan Burnley striker Wout Weghorst, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and Feyenoord winger Calvin Stengs, who all found the net three times.
Aside from the six goals shipped to France, the Dutch did not concede another strike from open play. Adam Idah's penalty for Ireland was the only other time they were breached.
Netherlands' squad for Euro 2024
The Netherlands announced a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern München), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Joey Veerman (PSV), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq)
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atlético de Madrid), Jeremie Frimpong (Leverkusen), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Dortmund), Xavi Simons (Leipzig), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim)
Netherlands' predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Netherlands' star player - Virgil van Dijk
Talismanic centre-back van Dijk is set for his first appearance in a European Championships after an anterior cruciate ligament injury cruelly kept him out of the tournament three years ago.
Following a season which has seen him return to his best form for Liverpool, the Dutch destroyer will be eager to right the wrongs from his nation’s 2022 World Cup quarter-final loss to eventual winners Argentina, where he missed the opening penalty in a tense shootout.
The 32 year-old has been a commanding figure in a revitalised Reds side this term, providing a timely reminder of why he remains as one of the best central defenders around despite his struggles in 2022-23.
Though rarely reliant on it thanks to his masterful reading of the game, Van Dijk is blessed with an exceptional burst of pace and bullish physicality to match. He has also taken on additional responsibilities as Liverpool captain and is set to carry out the same role in Germany this summer.
Given the relative youth of this Dutch side, particularly at the back, the Netherlands will need their leading figure to guide them through tough moments if they are to succeed.
He also has a knack for a goal, bagging four times this season including a last-minute header to win the Carabao Cup for Liverpool in February.
Netherlands' one to watch - Xavi Simons
On loan from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, Simons has continued his ascent as one of the continent’s best emerging talents in RB Leipzig colours this season.
Boasting an impressive 10 goals and 15 assists to his name, the 21 year-old has been a vital cog in securing Champions League football for the ambitious Bundesliga outfit.
Adept on either wing, Simons has registered a goal or an assist against four of the other five sides occupying the top six places in the German top-flight this season, and has already found the net on two occasions in the Champions League.
The campaign marks another step-up in his development following a fruitful spell at former club PSV Eindhoven last term.
Not only did Simons finish as the division’s highest-scorer there, he was also crowned player of the season in his native country while also securing a Dutch Cup winners medal.
Though the young winger is yet to find the net in Oranje colours, it only seems a matter of time until he replicates his positive scoring record at club level — with this summer’s tournament providing a perfect launchpad to announce him on the world stage.
Netherlands' manager - Ronald Koeman
Koeman’s second spell at the Dutch helm began in January last year following former manager Louis Van Gaal’s exit after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His latest stint got off to a shaky start as his side suffered three defeats in his first four matches, including damaging losses to Croatia and Italy in the UEFA Nations League.
Nevertheless, the Oranje regained their composure to secure a comfortable second-placed finish in qualifying and are now set for their first tournament under Koeman’s watch.
His first spell as manager was cut short by his departure to manage Barcelona in August 2020 and, though he is yet to coach a match in a major tournament, Koeman did oversee his nation's qualification for the European Championships in 2020 too.
That ended a six-year exile from major tournaments, having failed to qualify for both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Koeman has also enjoyed success managing at club level, winning the Eredivisie with both Ajax and Feyenoord, as well as Copa del Reys at Valencia and Barcelona.
Netherlands' Euro 2024 betting odds
Netherlands to win EURO 2024 - 18/1
Netherlands to reach the Euro 2024 final - 8/1
Netherlands to win Group C - 3/1
Netherlands top goalscorer - Memphis Depay 7/2, Cody Gakpo 4/1, Donyell Malen 7/1, 10/1 BAR
*All best UK prices as of 30/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Netherlands at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from Odds Now's Bradley Walker:
“Koeman and co will surely be sick of the sight of France given their encounters during qualifying, though should still be confident of sealing a top-two finish in Group D.
"However, how miuch further they progress in the tournament looks likely to hinge on the quality of opposition faced during the knockout stages.
"Though a last-16 match with someone like Ukraine or Romania looks manageable, it is hard to get too enthusiastic over their prospects in a potential quarter-final face-off with Portugal.
"The Netherlands have not yet shown an ability to compete against top-tier opposition, failing to record a win in recent matches with Germany, France, Italy and Croatia since Koeman’s appointment.
"Conversely, they have proven capable against lower opposition sides. They won all six of their matches during qualifying which didn’t feature France, while six of the ten goals they conceded also came against the 2018 World Cup winners.
"Expect them to perform admirably in the group stages before a poor record against the better sides sees them reach their limit."
Brad's Best Bet:
Netherlands to be eliminated in the quarter-finals - 3/1