Marijke Koeman, the mother of national coach Ronald and his assistant Erwin, will also be in the stands in Hamburg on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. “And it’s also her birthday,” jokes her 61-year-old son, who manages the Dutch national team. On Saturday afternoon she returned to the Volkspark stadium for a press conference, ahead of the first match of the Euro Cup group stage against Poland.
In 1988, the Cowboys beat Germany 2-1 at this stadium, setting the stage for the European title. It has been completely renovated since then. “In 1988 there was still a cinder track around the field. Those weren’t the prettiest and most fun stadiums to play in. Now I have to think about 2-4,” Koeman referred to the Nations League victory over Germany on September 6, 2019.
Reeperbahn
Mother Koeman is one of the approximately 15,000 Dutch who will be at the stadium on Sunday. But it is estimated that on Saturday some 45,000 compatriots traveled to this city in northern Germany. Especially the Reeperbahn, the famous street with many restaurants, turned orange during the afternoon with celebrating fans.
Virgil van Dijk praised this invasion. “As players, we don’t take for granted that all those people are there. During the World Cup in Qatar there were not so many fans, for all kinds of reasons, but we really need this, for people to support us. We must be united as a country. “Then maybe we can achieve something special,” the captain said.
Koeman and Van Dijk had come to the stadium especially for the press conference, an obligation of the European Football Federation UEFA. Earlier the Dutch team had trained at the AOK stadium in Wolfsburg’s base camp. Koeman felt that there he could train better and be match-oriented.
Only the captain can request compensation from the referee.
Furthermore, UEFA did not allow either the Netherlands or Poland to train in the stadium at night to save the field. That field doesn’t seem to be in the best condition. Van Dijk compared it to the Frankfurt pitch, which was in poor condition during a practice match against Germany in March. Then, the players slipped throughout the game. Van Dijk: “I still don’t know if we are also very bad here. The mat comes off quickly. It’s a shame, but both teams have to deal with it.”
What applies to all teams in the European Championship: the referees no longer tolerate complaints from all types of players, because only the captains can come to ask for redress. On Friday afternoon, in the opening match of the European Championship Germany-Scotland (5-1), this was a relief for the neutral spectator. The Netherlands is ready for this. Last week, former Dutch referee Björn Kuiper visited the hotel to explain what referees pay attention to. Van Dijk: “There are not many changes for me. I always keep talking to the referee. I just have to make sure my teammates aren’t involved. I’m more responsible for that. We had a long meeting about it. “I think this has occurred to everyone.”
Polish coach Probierz, prepared for all questions about Lewandowski
Polish coach Michal Probierz no longer has many questions about the absence of Robert Lewandowski against the Dutch team on Sunday in the group stage of the European Championship. The 51-year-old coach sighed deeply again at the Volkspark stadium when the injured FC Barcelona striker was discussed again.
“I just said it, but I’ll say it one more time,” he told a Polish journalist. “Robert is one of the best players in the world. Of course we miss him, I won’t mince words. I have no influence on injuries. The other players will have to do it.” (AP)
Also read:
The value of unity in Orange will only become evident under great pressure
The Dutch team will play on Sunday against Poland in Hamburg. What can you expect from this Euro Cup? The conditions seem to be given, but in football chance determines 50 percent of success.
