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THE ORANJE WAY TO GLORY

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The Netherlands have ended sorts of an international exile by qualifying for the Euro 2020. Dutch football has somewhat gone downhill since the 2014 World Cup as they failed to qualify for two major tournaments in a row. First was the Euros in 2016 followed by a miss at the 2018 World Cup. Ronald Koeman did his best to put them on the right track and oversaw their qualification. The Netherlands now aim a run to the final at the Euros.

Frank de Boer took charge of the national team following Koeman’s move to Barcelona. The Netherlands have started without much noise at the Euros. Their game and Frank de Boer’s tactics have slowly converted them into genuine contenders for the title. What is Oranje’s path to the final as they look to fight for the trophy with everything they’ve got?

ROUND OF 16

PORTUGAL/SLOVAKIA/CROATIA/ FRANCE/ GERMANY / SCOTLAND/SWEDEN

The Dutch have been incredibly good in the group stages. Spearheaded by Memphis Depay and Geroginio Wijnaldum they sealed qualification to the knockouts after the second matchday itself. This top spot guarantees them a meeting with the lucky losers of Group – D/E/F.

A clash against the lucky losers must be an appealing game for any side. Here’s the catch. The most likely lucky loser might be from Group-F. It is the group of death and can see any one of France or Portugal or Germany finish third. They might go head to head with the Dutch.

This fixture provides the toughest possible beginning to the knockout stage. The Dutch must muster all they have to go up against one of the favorites for the tournament.

QUARTER-FINALS

WALES/DENMARK

The quarters comes like a perfect reward to the Dutch if they were to overcome a difficult round of 16 fixture. It’s no walkover by any means, but it’s a much they can see-off if their star power fires properly.

Denmark showed incredible character to recover from Christian Eriksen’s shock cardiac arrest on the pitch. They routed Russia in their final game to seal a knockout spot. Wales too shrugged off a lazy start to enter the knockouts. Both sides would be determined to make further inroads into the tournament.

The Netherlands can use this game to fine-tune their tactics before the crucial semis.

SEMI-FINALS

ENGLAND/SPAIN/FRANCE/PORTUGAL/FRANCE/GERMANY

Another key game before the all-important final. The Netherlands might find themselves up against one of the above heavyweights. England meets the runner-ups from the Group of Death. That winner goes up against Spain possibly before booking a date with the Dutch.

This game tests their title credentials. De Boer must hone his tactics to beat the best at the business. Reaching the semis might be an incredible achievement with this squad. But once they make it this far, the players and the fans might be hoping to give their all for one more time.

FINALS

BELGIUM/ITALY/FRANCE/GERMANY/PORTUGAL

If the Netherlands manages to make it to the final, they might go against the best team in the tournament. The other side of the draw has powerhouses like Belgium, Italy and France. The Dutch team have to be in their best shape to lift the trophy at Wembley on the 12th of July.

A chance for one last hurrah. A single shot at glory. Once you get to this stage, there’s no getting back. There’s no holding back. This might be the biggest night in the lives of the players and the manager. If the Netherlands makes it to the final, it surely deserves a fairytale ending.

For all the hardships they have endured in the past four years, for all the changes they’ve undergone in they deserve this. A chance to pay tribute to their 1988 heroes might surely drive them to make them do the impossible.

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