The 1-2 victory over Austria was celebrated by Turkish supporters in the big cities in the Netherlands on Tuesday night. Daley Blind admires the fanaticism of the supporters of the next opponent of the Dutch team at the European Championship, but also hopes that the quarter finals will be the end station for Turkey.

“The trick is to put the right amount of passion and emotion into the field, but also to choose moments to remain calm, so that we can quieten the Turks,” said the hopeful Blind on Thursday at the press moment of the Dutch national team.

Blind is eagerly looking forward to the confrontation with Turkey in the Olympiastadion in Berlin. “You also have to enjoy the atmosphere in the stadium. Because that is what you do it for as a player. You must not get carried away, but get positive energy from it. Their fans will probably make a lot of noise and we have to prepare for that.”

Jerdy Schouten, who has also joined, underlines Blind's words. “I have never played against a Turkish club. But no, I will not put in earplugs,” said the midfielder with a smile on his face.

“You have to enjoy it, but also keep calm on the ball. And from there try to make the right choices,” Schouten analyses two days before the quarter-final match against Turkey in Berlin.

Merih Demiral

Blind and Schouten are confronted at the press conference with the UEFA investigation into the way Merih Demiral cheered after his goal against Austria. The Turkish defender made the gesture of 'The Grey Wolves', a right-wing extremist movement, and may be suspended for the match against the Dutch national team.

???? We don't want to bake Turkish food! pic.twitter.com/4K3kVPFxgW

— Merih Demiral (@Merihdemiral) July 2, 2024

“I'm not going to get involved in social matters here. I'm here to talk about football,” Blind emphasizes. “I think you can guess my answer,” Schouten adds.

Demiral's response

Demiral is unaware of any wrongdoing and foresaw BILD of a reaction. “I am very happy that I scored two goals. How I scored the fourth had to do with my Turkish identity. I saw people in the stadium making that gesture too,” he said afterwards.

Always stay up to date with the most important football news? Join the Voetbalzone WhatsApp channel now!

More sports news