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Belgium vs Netherlands: Head to head statistics
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Belgium vs Netherlands match preview
With co-hosts Georgia rank-outsiders, and Portugal the favourites to top Group A, this could be a key game in the battle to reach the knockout phase, despite taking place on the tournament’s opening night.
Netherlands’ recent record at the under-21 Euros is bizarre; they either do brilliantly or don’t qualify at all.
Jong Oranje won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007 before reaching the semi-finals in 2013 and 2021, but have failed to qualify for all seven other editions since the turn of the millennium.
This time round, Erwin van de Looi’s team did not make a mess of qualifying, topping their group, most-notably beating second placed Switzerland 2-0 at De Adelaarshorst last year.
So, having reached the last four two summers ago, narrowly ousted by eventual winners Germany in Székesfehérvár, could Holland go all the way in Georgia?
As for Belgium, this’ll actually be only their fourth appearance at a U21 Euros, reaching the semis in the Netherlands 16 years ago, whilst going out in the group phase in 2002 and 2019.
At senior level, Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ appears to be coming to an end, so supporters are looking to Jacky Mathijssen’s team for the next set of superstars.
However, it’s the Dutch who come into this clash at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium as favourites to pick up three points.
Belgium team news
Roméo Lavia, who shone at Southampton this season, and Arthur Vermeeren have both pulled out due to injury.
The undisputed star of this team is Loïs Openda, who scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 this season, helping Lens qualify for the Champions League group stages.
Charles De Ketelaere meanwhile moved to A.C. Milan last summer for €35 million, but this has not worked out, so far, so he’ll be hoping to rediscover his best form at this competition.
Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin and Ameen Al-Dakhil of Burnley could form a more than decent midfield duo.
Netherlands team news
Ryan Gravenberch’s big money move to Bayern Munich last summer hasn’t worked out yet, but he certainly has the ability to shine at this level, alongside Kenneth Taylor and Quinten Timber in midfield.
Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville could enhance his reputation, while he could be joined in the front three by Joshua Zirkzee and Brian Brobbey, who both have outstanding scoring records for the U21s.
Ian Maatsen of Burnley and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke will start in defence.
Meanwhile, at senior level, Netherlands continue to endure a goalkeeper crisis, a void Kjell Scherpen hopes to fill in the not-too-distant future.
Under-21 Euros Group A table
Under-21 Euros Group A results and fixtures
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