"I feel it, it's back, everything is back." If you're a Dutch fan and happen to have seen Stephen Chow's movie Shaolin Soccer, then the mood at the end of Holland's group stage match couldn't be more appropriately described by this one line.
In the somewhat distant summer of 2014, the Netherlands finished third in the World Cup three- or four-place playoffs, beating hosts Brazil 3-0 - the best World Cup record for the Dutch, who are known as the uncrowned kings. At the Dutch Sports Annual Awards ceremony held at the end of that year, Van Persie's exquisite fish header was named the best moment of the year; team manager Van Gaal was elected best coach of the year; Robben, who is a dedicated and successful player, will be the best athlete of the year ...... At that time, the Dutch soccer world, a thriving scene! The team's next appearance on the stage of the World Championship, no one could have foreseen, to wait until this summer after seven years.
The Netherlands' Euro 2020 opener was against Shevchenko's Ukraine. In the 52nd minute of the match, captain Wijnaldum scored his team's first goal of the Euros. Coincidentally, it was Wijnaldum who scored the final goal for the Netherlands in their 3-0 win over Brazil seven years ago. It's just that the 23-year-old was already thirty years old, and there was a full 2,528 days between the two goals.
The Dutch used seven years to complete a flight against the wind.
The Unknown
There is no doubt that Dumfries has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the Dutch lineup so far at this year's Euros. In the first two rounds of the group stage, the Netherlands collected a total of five goals, each goal is related to Dumfries. With Austria that battle, making penalties, scored a goal Dumfries, was named the best of the game. And before this Euro, Dumfries' performance in the national team is hardly spectacular - he was called up to the national team by former manager Ronald Koeman in the fall of 2018, and he played a total of 19 matches, scoring zero goals.
Dumfries has come a long way from being an obscure teenager to becoming a hotshot star. Unlike those talented players who became famous as teenagers, Dumfries had a bit of a rocky start to his career. Seven years ago in the summer, when the Netherlands in Brazil in the World Cup soaring, 18-year-old Dumfries is just a spectator. At that time, every Dutch match day, Amsterdam's fan square is always crowded, everyone gathered together to watch and cheer, playing in the Dutch amateur level of the club Barendrecht, Dumfries, in the crowd does not stand out.
Seven years have passed. In this summer, the once-unnamed player walked to the center stage of the Europa League and blossomed into an eye-catching light.
The losing side
Compared to Dumfries, Dutch boss Frank de Boer has certainly claimed a reputation - except that it seems to have more of a negative component.
In March 2020, UEFA officially announced that the Europa League had been postponed until the summer of 2021. At that time, the Dutch media conducted an in-depth analysis, and came to the conclusion that this is absolutely called good for the Netherlands - at that time, suffered a serious injury Depay, surely able to return to represent the Netherlands, De Jong, Derek Hurt and other young people, but also have more experience in the game. But another important figure in the team was overlooked, then team manager Koeman. We all know the rest of the story. That summer, Barcelona extended an invitation to Koeman, who, after much deliberation, made the difficult decision to leave the Dutch coaching job and head to Barcelona.
The Dutch FA worried so much about finding Koeman's successor that they waited until the fall to announce a new manager for the national team, and de Boer got a two-year deal. It was obviously a highly controversial choice. Dutch soccer star Van der Gepp's comment was not at all lenient: "The coach who has been fired three times in a row can still be in charge of the national team, and I'm afraid I can't find the second one in the world. ......" Although, De Boer has reaped great success during his time in charge of Ajax Although De Boer has gained great success during his tenure at Ajax, his overseas experience has been too dismal - he signed a three-year contract with Inter Milan but was dismissed in a hurry after 85 days; his experience at Crystal Palace was even shorter, as he lasted only 77 days; and in the Major League Soccer league, he broke the 100-day mark in the "lower league".
In this way, a controversy, once criticized by Mourinho as "the worst coach in the history of the Premier League" de Boer, took office. De Boer's performance was not satisfactory at the beginning of his tenure, the Netherlands, the first four games, three draws and one loss, difficult to find a win. But then, under de Boer's tutelage, the Netherlands gradually found a winning feeling.
De Boer is very stubborn. Before the start of the European Cup, Dutch fans rented an airplane and used it to pull banners, suggesting that de Boer use the 433 formation. In an interview with the media, De Boer gave this response: "I also rented a plane with a banner: thanks for the reminder, but the formation will still be 532." In De Boer's opinion, the 532 formation allows the Netherlands to play its best in the competition. Only from the group stage of the three games, de Boer's persistence, not without basis. Under de Boer's leadership, the Netherlands, which was not favored before the start of this year's European Cup, has shown a competitive edge that cannot be underestimated.
The Netherlands, which won all three of its group stage matches, has become the favorite to win this year's European Cup? The answer is no. Former manager Ronald Koeman also said, "We still have a lot of areas to improve." But at least, Dutch fans will have some more orange visions for this summer.