Just over two months to go and then the time has come: the 2024 European Championship in Germany. The group divisions have now been announced, the schedule has been completed and so it is now up to the national coaches to make decisions. Which 23 players will they take with them to the final tournament, and who will they leave at home? This will be announced no later than June 7, but zoom will take place in the coming period Football zone in advance about the options that the national coaches of the most important countries have. In this edition: the Netherlands.

Three years ago, at the previous European Championship, the Netherlands was surprisingly eliminated in the eighth finals by the Czech Republic (0-2). That hit hard, and so the Dutch team is looking for revenge this summer. To this end, it will first have to survive a group with France, Austria and Poland.

The Netherlands already met France in the European Championship qualifying group, where they were behind lesson Bleus finished second. The Netherlands was also in the group with Austria at the 2020 European Championships: they won 2-0. Poland will meet the Dutch team in the Nations League in 2022.

The Netherlands is not the favorite to win this year's European Championships, but the team of national coach Ronald Koeman is one of the important outsiders. During the World Cup in Qatar a year and a half ago, the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals, and the aim is to do even better at the European Championships next summer. The big question is: who will be in the Dutch team's European Championship selection? Football zone looks ahead.

Goalkeepers

During the last international match, both Mark Fleken and Bart Verbruggen were allowed to keep a game. Both made a good impression, but it is not yet clear who will be the number one under the bar next summer. It currently appears that both goalkeepers can count on a place in the European Championship selection.

Another big contender is Justin Bijlow, but the Feyenoord goalkeeper is currently injured in his calf. If he is fit again soon and is allowed to start playing goalkeeping for his club again, there is a real chance that he will also go to Germany. Two other options that Koeman will consider are Nick Olij and Marco Bizot.

Options: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Marco Bizot (Stade Brest), Mark Fleken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Bart Verbruggen made a good impression during the international match against Germany.

Defenders

The Netherlands has a number of excellent central defenders. Names like Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Aké, who are doing excellently in the Premier League, seem certain. Furthermore, Koeman actually has a luxury problem in that position, because he could also choose from Stefan de Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt, Lutsharel Geertruida, Jorrel Hato and Micky van de Ven.

Jurriën Timber may soon be added. The 22-year-old defender is about to return from a cruciate ligament injury. If he gets playing time again at his club Arsenal in the coming weeks, he can also hope to participate in the European Championship.

Koeman also has many flavors to choose from on the wings. For example, Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong, who performs excellently more or less every week at Bayer Leverkusen. But Ian Maatsen and Daley Blind are also among the contenders. Quilindschy Hartman, who seriously injured his knee last weekend, will not be there in Germany.

Options: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Jorrel Hato (Ajax), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern) Munich), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan de Vrij (Inter).

The question is whether Jurriën Timber will have recovered from his knee injury in time to earn a spot in the European Championship selection.

Midfielders

When Frenkie de Jong is fit again in two months, he will be one of the first names Koeman puts on the scoresheet. The question is with whom the FC Barcelona player will form that midfield. Jerdy Schouten, Joey Veerman, Mats Wieffer, Teun Koopmeiners and Tijjani Reijnders, among others, have already shown it in the past international match.

Other players who can still hope are Quinten Timber, who made his debut against Germany, and Georginio Wijnaldum. The latter now plays for the Saudi Arabian Al-Ettifaq, but came into action against Scotland and even managed to score. Moreover, his experience can be a decisive factor.

Finally, Marten de Roon, Steven Berghuis and Ryan Gravenberch are also players who could come to Germany.

Options: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord) ), Joey Veerman (PSV), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al-Ettifaq).

Georginio Wijnaldum was accurate against Scotland during the last international match.

Attackers

Also in this line, a number of names can actually be ticked, provided they are fit. Consider, for example, Xavi Simons, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen.

In addition, there are a number of other attackers that Koeman will keep a close eye on in the coming months, such as Steven Bergwijn, Noa Lang, Calvin Stengs, Brian Brobbey and Wout Weghorst. The latter often receives a lot of criticism, but he has already scored a number of important goals for the Dutch team.

Joshua Zirkzee should also not be forgotten. The 22-year-old striker from Bologna was in the Dutch pre-selection last month, but then dropped out due to a hamstring injury. An international debut has not yet happened, but given his good performances at Bologna, Koeman will continue to keep an eye on him in the coming period.

Options: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atlético Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (PSV), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Calvin Stengs (Feyenoord) , Wout Weghorst (TSG Hoffenheim), Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna).

Xavi Simons actually seems certain of a place in the Netherlands' European Championship selection.

Probable setup

Koeman is expected to stick to his familiar 5-3-2 formation. Van Dijk and Aké seem to be in a central position in the defense anyway, and may be accompanied by De Vrij. The wingbacks could become Dumfries, who has been very important for the Dutch team in recent years, and the experienced Blind.

It's anyone's guess who De Jong will be in midfield with, but Reijnders and Simons currently seem to be the biggest contenders. In the front line, there is a real chance that Koeman will opt for Memphis and Gakpo.

Probable European Championship line-up in the Netherlands: Bridge; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké, Blind; Reijnders, Simons, De Jong; Memphis, Gakpo.

Important absentees

Koeman can draw a line in advance with two names: Sven Botman and Hartman. Botman seriously injured his cruciate ligament in mid-March and was therefore out of action for six to nine months. The central defender has not yet played any international matches for the Netherlands, but was in the selection during two international matches.

Hartman dropped out in the first half last weekend during Feyenoord – FC Utrecht (4-2). A few hours later it was announced that the left back has suffered a serious knee injury and is not expected to return until next season. A huge blow for the four-time international, who will also miss the European Championship.

Absent: Sven Botman (Newcastle United), Quilindschy Hartman (Feyenoord).

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