On the final day of the Euro Cup knockout stage, the Netherlands, who had a mediocre group stage, suddenly burst into life. With goals from Gakpo and a brace from Malen, they cruised to a 3-0 victory over group leaders Romania. In another match, Turkey pulled off an "upset" by defeating Austria 2-1, setting up a quarterfinal clash with the Dutch. It seems the Dutch have a good chance to blossom proudly in Germany.
Dominant Performance Against Romania
The Netherlands delivered a commanding performance against Romania, boasting 65% possession and 23 shots, six of which were on target—more than Romania's total shots. They also created four clear chances to Romania's zero. Some fans joked that if Van Basten were on the field, he might have scored four goals. As the only former Euro Cup champions in the lower bracket, the Netherlands is hitting their stride.
Impressive Statistics and Historical Context
Statistics show that the Netherlands is the only team to reach the quarterfinals as a third-placed group finisher. The other three third-placed teams—Georgia, Slovakia, and Slovenia—were all eliminated. This favorable bracket positioning has propelled the Dutch to become one of the championship favorites, alongside Spain and Germany.
Historically, the Netherlands has often faced heartbreak in the Euro Cup. Despite a glorious 1988 triumph led by the legendary trio, they have repeatedly fallen short—whether it was the semifinals on home soil in 2000, the attacking flair halted in 2004, the surprise defeat by Russia in 2008, or the early exit in the last tournament despite a strong group stage performance.
Favorable Prospects in the Lower Bracket
This time, the Dutch emerged from the group stage in third place but landed in a favorable quarter of the draw. Having dispatched Romania, they now face Turkey, a match in which they are clear favorites. Football data analytics have thus placed the Netherlands as the third most likely team to win the championship, behind Spain and Germany.
Looking Ahead
Unlike the "group of death" with Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France, the lower bracket appears less daunting. If there are no upsets, the Netherlands is likely to face England in the semifinals. Considering England's inconsistent form, the Dutch have a real shot at reaching the final. As a traditional powerhouse that has faced a talent drought in recent years, can the Netherlands finally reclaim their glory on the Euro Cup stage?
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