After the win over Belgium, the Dutch national team has qualified for the Final Four of the Nations League, just like in the 2018/2019 season. Here’s everything you need to know about the mini-tournament.
Location
Because the Orange squad qualified for the Final Four, it is now also clear that the Netherlands will be the host country of the mini-tournament. Besides the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and Wales were the other three candidates for the organization. The winner of the group was allowed to take on the organization. So that will be the Netherlands. Formally, the European football association UEFA has yet to assign the organization to the Netherlands. That will happen in January. However, the KNVB is counting on it to get the organization.
The intended host cities are Rotterdam (de Kuip) and Enschede (Grolsch Veste). The Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam and the PSV Philips stadium in Eindhoven will not be available in June 2023 due to other events.
| Column Willem van Hanegem
After the week of the Nations League, goalkeeper tests and statements by Louis van Gaal, Willem van Hanegem again had plenty of material for his weekly column. “Believe me, it’s all just interesting stuff.”
Participating countries
In addition to the Netherlands, the current vice world champion Croatia, European champion Italy and Spain have also qualified for the Final Four. Croatia finished first in a strong group with France, Denmark and Austria as opponents. Italy won 0-2 against Hungary on Monday evening, which was driven from the surprising lead. Germany and England finished third and fourth in the group. Spain placed last on Tuesday by winning 0-1 in Portugal.
The Netherlands, Italy and Spain have already qualified for the Final Four before, for Croatia it is the first time.
Date
The semi-finals of the Final Four will take place on Wednesday 14 June and Thursday 15 June, the final follows on Sunday 18 June.
Previous editions
It is the third time that the Nations League will be held. The Netherlands also qualified for the Final Four in the first edition. Then the Netherlands beat England in the semi-final, after which Portugal waited in the final. With a goal from Gonçalo Guedes, Portugal, which had settled with Switzerland in the semi-final, won 1-0.
The Netherlands did not qualify in the previous edition. Then France, Spain, Belgium and Italy reached the Final Four. France beat Spain 2-1 in the final.
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