Looking to break through into Europe’s upper elite, the Netherlands begin a promising Euro 2024 journey with a group-stage opener against Poland on Sunday.
The Dutch clobbered both Canada and Iceland by a pair of 4-0 scorelines in their pre-tournament friendly matches but remain slightly behind the top level of European football nations both in perception and reality.
The Oranje were beaten in each of their past four games against teams near the top of the pre-Euro rankings, with a pair of defeats to France in qualifying alongside a friendly defeat to Germany and Nations League loss to Italy.
The Dutch have a strong overall history at the European Championship, with a title in 1988 as well as four other semifinal appearances, but they have not passed the quarterfinals at any of the previous four tournaments as they’ve slipped behind other nations in the pecking order. With one of their most talented squads in quite some time entering the tournament in good form, the time is now to reverse those fortunes.
For Poland, there is a sense of now or never, as their two biggest stars are in the twilight of their careers. Striker Robert Lewandowski is 35 years old and surely competing at his final Euros, already showing signs of regression at Barcelona this season and facing a fitness battle even to feature at this tournament. Meanwhile, 34-year-old goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could be leaving Juventus for the Saudi Pro League this summer and also may be nearing the end at this level.
The Polish are strong defensively, but this Dutch side is not prone to slipping in games against inferior opponents, and that’s exactly what this match represents. While Poland did well to win their two warm-up games impressively against Turkey and Ukraine, they are nowhere near the level of the Netherlands and have a weak attacking unit.
This match will prove overwhelming for Poland, and the Dutch will have their eyes on an upcoming matchup against France in five days’ time, where they can truly flex their muscles and stake a claim as a title hopeful — or fall short trying.
| BetMGM (USA) |
|
| Poland win | +500 |
| Draw | +310 |
| Netherlands win | -185 |
| Both teams to score |
Y: +105 N: -145 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
O: -110 U: -130 |
| Netherlands -0.5 goals |
-200 |
| Poland +0.5 goals |
+140 |
While Poland may be in good form entering this competition based solely on results, they have managed to concede a significant amount of shots to the opponent in the process. They coughed up 19 shots to Turkey in their latest friendly win, and allowed 16 to a counter-attacking Ukraine side, too. Even going back to the 0-0 draw with Wales in the qualifying playoff final, Poland still conceded 12 shots in a woefully drab match against a team that likes to play without the ball.
The Dutch are not a side that consistently rack up a high volume of attacking output, relying instead on efficiency to see them through, but they put up 22 shots on Iceland and 20 against Canada and Jesse Marsch’s counter-press in their pre-tournament warm-up games.
There should be plenty of chances for the Dutch to run up the score, and they will do so if given the opportunity knowing that goal differential could be of great importance as they compete in a strong group alongside the likes of France.
While Poland are on an eight-match unbeaten streak heading into the Euros, they have not faced remotely this level of competition. Securing results against the likes of Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia, Faroe Islands, and Latvia will give them confidence to hopefully advance from an extremely difficult group, but it will do little to deter the more talented Netherlands squad.
Poland do appear to have improved their previously anemic attack, having scored in seven of their past eight games, but in truly competitive environments against more quality sides, it always seems to revert. They played to a 0-0 draw with Wales in their Euro qualifying playoff final, and were blanked by Argentina and Mexico in the latest World Cup. Going back slightly further, they were also shut out by Belgium and the Netherlands in 2022 Nations League matches.
They must prove an ability to overcome a smothering opposition like the Dutch before we back them to do so.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FS1 | Fubo USA, Fox Sports GO, ViX |
| Canada | CTV, TSN4, TSN5 | TSN+, CTV app |
| UK | BBC | BBC iPlayer |
This Group D match at Euro 2024 will be televised in the United States on FS1, which can be streamed on Fubo who are offering a free trial for new users.
Other Euro 2024 matches will be televised on FOX network channel, which is also available to stream on Fubo.
In Canada, the match will be televised on CTV, TSN4, and TSN5, with both networks offering live streaming options too.
In the UK, Euro 2024 matches will be split between the BBC and ITV, with this game assigned to BBC along with their dedicated streaming platform BBC iPlayer.
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