ANP
NOS Voetbal•dinsdag, 18:09
The Dutch football players travel to Cádiz for the decisive match for an Olympic ticket against world champion Spain. The two teams will play in the semi-finals of the Nations League at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on February 23, the Spanish Football Federation announced today.
The stadium has a capacity of 20,724 spectators. Spain does not often play home games in the small port city in Andalusia, but in two months it will be the setting for the important match.
National coach Andries Jonker previously stated that he expects a difficult match against the Spaniards. “An away match against Spain is the least favorable draw, but at the same time also the most challenging. We are fighting for a place in the final and securing an Olympic ticket, and we are fully committed to that.”
Olympics
France and Germany face each other in the other semi-final. Both teams, just like the Dutch team and world champion Spain, finished as group winners in the Nations League.
Normally, only the tournament’s finalists qualify for next summer’s Olympic Games. However, because France as host country is already assured of participation in the Games in Paris, the second ticket will be passed on to the number 3 if France reaches the final.
GettyCadiz Stadium
If the Netherlands were to lose to Spain and France reached the final, the Netherlands would compete with Germany for third place and thus Olympic qualification.
Regardless of the outcome, the Netherlands will play either the possible final of the Nations League or the consolation final on February 28, both on home soil.
The Dutch team reached the last four of the Nations League tournament in spectacular fashion:
From Tilburg to Glasgow: watch the bizarre denouement of the Dutch and England matches
