A Derby of the Low Countries is always under high tension. That will be no different tonight at the European Championships for U23. At 6 p.m. our young Devils will take on the Dutch Juniors, but what should we actually watch out for with our northern neighbours? A look at the opponent.
1. Belgian connection
Orange with a black-yellow-red edge tonight. There are 4 well-known cups in the selection of the Dutch.
Bart Verbruggen (20) was in a shooting booth several times this season at an undersized Anderlecht, but showed his worth with a whole series of top saves and kept himself upright.
The Breda native will probably soon move to Brighton in the Premier League for a record amount and was told yesterday that he is coach Van de Looi’s first choice in goal at the European Championship.
That does mean that we will not see Kjell Scherpen (23) at work tonight. The tall keeper will especially evoke memories of the sea. He was 2 seasons back in goal at KV Oostende.
There is also violence from the Jupiler Pro League in midfield. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (23) helped Antwerp to the title with 5 goals and 7 assists.
In the qualifying campaign, the midfielder jabbed 4 times. He only had to tolerate Bryan Brobbey (5 goals) and… Joshua Zirkzee (7 goals).
The 22-year-old striker of the Dutch Juniors dwindled a bit on the bench at Bologna last season, but already proved 2 seasons ago at Anderlecht that he has a flawless technique and knows the goal.
2. Tips from a cyclist
Thomas Dekker will still ring a bell among the cycling fans among us, but nothing rang at all among the youth players of Orange last year.
But after an incident in the hotel room of some youth players, the youngsters would get to know him soon enough. In his youth, Dekker was guided by fame, women and money and thus ended up on the wrong path.
The KNVB therefore thought he was the perfect guest to come and speak about what can go wrong in a promising career. “In a way, my situation was comparable to that of these guys,” Dekker told Voetbal International.
“This is the top of the Netherlands. They may still be too young for the big Dutch national team, but they are predicted a great future. There is a lot involved. Moreover, there are quite a few temptations.”
Dekker therefore fully understood these temptations. “A few players had invited girls to the hotel room,” he started.
“But what do you also want? You have a certain age that the hormones are raging through your body. And you have a certain status that makes every DM you send an immediate hit. Very normal.”
He was therefore not just going to lecture the youth players. His light-hearted approach clearly made an impression, as the session ended up running for almost an hour.
“For 45 minutes I was allowed to talk, but after an hour and a half they were still hanging on my lips,” he said.
The Dutch will therefore have both feet on the ground tonight.
3. Star(s)
Our northern neighbors are counted among the favorites for the final win at the U21 European Championship. The 23-strong selection may also be there.
Especially the name of Ryan Gravenberch catches the eye. The imprint of his buttocks is printed in the bench of Bayern Munich after a difficult season, he remains a great footballer.
One of his tasks is probably to keep De Ketelaere out of the game. But our defenders do well with Brian Brobbey and Joshua Zirkzee in the front.
The 2 strikers have been a guarantee of goals for the Dutch Juniors in recent years.
And it is also firmly at the back with the Dutch. Micky van de Ven wants to put himself in the spotlight of the Premier League toppers in this tournament.
Danger from all lines soon.
2023-06-21 13:15:49
#acquaintances #tips #cyclist #Netherlands #European #Football #U21
