European Championship Qualifiers | The Netherlands register a much-needed win over Greece – Koeman’s selections are going well

As a result of the defeat to France (4-0) and the mediocre performance in the last round of the Nations League, the state of play in Group B was completely distorted. In addition to France, competitors such as Greece and Ireland have already played several matches and have certainly obtained at least a number of points.

Many goals conceded and disappointing play under Koeman created a lot of doubts. Especially in light of the difficult match, even against a team like Gibraltar. Who will defend the Dutch national team, do the players still dare to tell the truth to each other, is the national coach still able to strike the right chord?

The meeting with Greece can be described as a real six-point match, and any result will have serious consequences for the qualifying series. Koeman entered this match with great importance, with Mark Flocken in goal, Daley Blind on the left, and Voit Weghorst as a striker, relying on the 5-3-2 plan as it was known under the leadership of Louis van Gaal.

The squad was received with a lot of complaints, but the Dutch team was present from the first moment. Football was played frivolously and with a great deal of agility, which meant that the Greeks did not prove to be as hard-headed as previously feared. There was a lot of scope for combination with Frenkie de Jong and Xavi Simons.

This creates opportunities. Marten de Roon scored his first goal as an Orange shirt, a precise cross from Denzel Dumfries was headed home by Cody Gakpoy and Weghorst also headed home a pass from Dumfries, this time from a failed half-cross.

This made the right-back the big man and halfway through PSV Eindhoven one could already breathe a sigh of relief at the fraud. The second half was played just for level and so that Tijani Reynders (Milan) could make her debut and get a rabbit.

The trick now is not to get too happy about our performance against Greece, because the match away from home on Sunday against Ireland will be just as important. Since the Irish have already lost to the Greeks (2-1) and now for the second time to France (2-0), a good result in Dublin means that the Dutch team will get rid of their rival and take a big step towards the European Nations Cup. 2024.

Second place in the group – behind favorite France – is enough to qualify directly for the final tournament, which will be held in Germany.

1. France – 5-15
2. Netherlands – 3-6
3. Greece – 4-6
4. Ireland – 4-3
5. Gibraltar – 4-0

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