Thijs Dallinga had not taken into account that he would be on the training field of the Dutch national team this week. After the loss of Brian Brobbey, national coach Ronald Koeman still contacted the Toulouse striker, who was told in a special way that he had been selected for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers for the Dutch team.
Brecht Kramer, the team manager of the Dutch national team, was given the task of informing Dallinga of the happy news. “I was a little late recording. I jokingly said to my girlfriend: ‘That was the national coach'”.
Then a little later I received a text that it was from Brecht, the team manager. Then I called back straight away and was told the great news. A beautiful moment,” he said in conversation with Our the Dutch.
The call for the Dutch team took Dallinga somewhat by surprise. “Of course I no longer expected it after the final selection was announced. But when I received a call on Monday evening, we ensured that everything was arranged as quickly as possible to come this way,” said the striker in French service, which may make its debut against Ireland on Saturday.
As a joke, I said to my girlfriend: ”That must be the national coach!” ??
Thijs Dallinga about the moment he got his first call-up. ????#NothingLikeOrange #NEDIRL #GIBNED pic.twitter.com/c4Cqajcyq8
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 15, 2023
The down-to-earth Dallinga is not counting on anything for the time being. The 23-year-old attacker is thrilled that he can train with the best players in the Netherlands for a week. “Being among these types of guys on the training field is a very nice moment for me.”
“For me, the most important thing is how I can adapt to the level here and that I can show what steps I have made in recent years,” said the newcomer to the Dutch selection, who came via FC Emmen, Excelsior and FC Groningen eventually ended up at Toulouse in 2022 and has made significant progress in France.
Dallinga hopes to learn a lot during the training sessions from the mutual duels with the refined defenders in the selection. “I am especially curious about how I compare to players like Virgil van Dijk and Stefan de Vrij. I will experience that during training and I am curious about that.”