As recently as 18 months ago, Netherlands were within a couple of penalty kicks of the World Cup semi-finals. It didn’t quite happen, the Battle of Lusail ending in shootout defeat for them against Argentina after an epic late comeback in 90 minutes, but the Dutch looked back. Or back on the right path, at least, after missing the 2018 tournament and Euro 2016 altogether.
In between those failures and their oh-so-close moment in Qatar, Euro 2020 wasn’t much better: a last-16 exit to Czech Republic was tame in the extreme. The winter World Cup, then, was their comeback moment, the stage-setter for future Dutch improvements and a team which would grow together, progress in time-honoured national team fashion, become challengers once more. Euro 2024 was to be the tournament where they approached a peak.
Perhaps, then, we should revisit the spine of that team, all of 18 months ago. Andries Noppert was in goal, a surprise starter at the beginning of the tournament but perhaps deserving of his place by that time. Virgil van Dijk, of course, skippered the side and anchored the defence, with the triumvirate of Frenkie de Jong, Marten De Roon and Davy Klaassen holding fort in midfield.
And in attack, Memphis Depay toiled while Cody Gakpo thrived, making his name, earning a move. Of the central seven, only three are in the squad for Germany. Only two arrive fully fit.
And only one arrives on the back of a good individual campaign. Ronald Koeman might be forgiven for cursing his luc.