Paul Merson is already writing off the Dutch national team. The former England international, with 21 caps to his name, thinks that the Three Lions will win comfortably in the semi-final of the European Championship on Wednesday evening. The first whistle will sound at 21:00 in the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

“There will be a lot of talent on both sides on Wednesday. So you also need a bit of luck to score that first goal,” Merson analyses in his column for Sky Sports.

Merson concludes that Oranje has the necessary quality. Nevertheless, he gives the team of national coach Ronald Koeman little chance in the semi-final against England, who have not made a great impression during EURO 2024.

“I don't see the Netherlands beating us. And if they did, I would find it more shocking than if the Swiss had beaten us.” England and Switzerland were tied at 1-1 after 120 minutes in the quarter-finals. The English team then took the penalties better, which means the cracker against the Netherlands is beckoning.

“England haven't gotten out of third gear yet,” Merson fervently hopes that the team of national coach Gareth Southgate will still shine at this European Championship. The former midfielder of Arsenal, among others, firmly believes in the chances of the Three Lions.

“We're two games away from something I never thought would happen in my life. We just need a little bit more movement and that will build confidence because this is a great team.”

Merson knows from experience how difficult it is to wear the England shirt. “And I've been hard on the team because they haven't achieved what I expected. But it's not easy either. This is where it starts. It depends on who makes the difference in the next two games.”

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