Having missed out on Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup – Netherlands will be looking to make up for lost time at this summer’s European Championships.
Holland’s last success on the European stage – if we’re ignoring their triumph at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest – came back in 1988 when an iconic volley from Marco van Basten guided them to a 2-0 victory over the Soviet Union.
They managed three subsequent third-place finishes and then… nothing. For quite some time.
The Oranje lost all three of their Group fixtures at Euro 2012 before failing to qualify for the next two tournaments.
However, the Dutch are on an upward trajectory having finished runners-up to Portugal in the inaugural UEFA Nations League. And they suffered just one defeat during Euro 2020 qualification.
The Netherlands managed 24 goals in qualifying – with SIX of those coming against Germany over two games.
It’s never a dull show when the florescent orange shirts are in town and that could be excellent news for Dream Team Euros bosses.
Frank de Boer’s side are hoping to go deep in the tournament having been placed in Group C alongside Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game this summer
Memphis Depay is the obvious candidate for selection at a very reasonable £4.5m.
The 27-year-old scored 22 goals for Lyon this season and has registered four goals and two assists in his last five international appearances – he’s also their designated penalty-taker.
But there’s another player in the Dutch ranks who might just be flying under the radar.
Georginio Wijnaldum (£3.5m) is scarcely viewed as an attacking threat for Liverpool having been deployed in a more defensive midfield role.
But for Holland he’s a different beast.
Wijnaldum adopts a far more attacking role for De Boer’s side and has shown a handy knack for finishing having scored 11 goals in his last 16 appearances – including a hat-trick during qualification.
Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt is already his country’s most-owned player in Dream Team Euros at 14.8% – but the absence of Virgil Van Dijk makes him a less desirable option.
Van Dijk ruled himself out of participation as he continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and that could seriously hinder Holland’s chances of clean sheets at the tournament.
Their provisional 34-man squad includes eight players from England’s top division including Man United midfielder Donny van De Beek, Patrick van Aanholt and Spurs’ Steven Bergwijn.
Van De Beek has garnered a 1% following but it’s worth noting that he’s only started one of Holland’s last SIX matches following his lack of minutes at Old Trafford.
Most-popular Holland players (ownership) among Dream Team Euros managers at this stage:
- Matthijs de Ligt – 14.8%
- Memphis Depay – 7.4%
- Georginio Wijnaldum – 6.1%
- Virgil Van Dijk – 5.6%
- Daley Blind – 2.9%
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play