UEFA Euro 2024 Quarter Final
July 6, 2024 - Indian Date
Olympiastadion Berlin
MATCH TIMES
India
12:30 AM
UAE
11:00 PM
Saudi Arabia
10:00 PM
FULL TIME
Netherlands possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Reijnders; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Depay
Turkey possible starting lineup: Gunok; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Ayhan, Yokuslu; Yildiz, Calhanoglu, Yilmaz; Guler
Match Preview
The Netherlands and Turkey will battle for a place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals at Berlin's iconic Olympiastadion on Saturday evening. The victor of this clash will face either Switzerland or England in the final four, and both teams, having advanced through the previous round in contrasting fashion, will fancy their chances of progressing.
Despite an unconvincing start to their European Championship campaign, the Netherlands have secured a spot in the quarter-finals and now have their sights set on the Henri Delaunay trophy. Ronald Koeman’s side emerged from Group D in third place, following a win over Poland, a draw with France, and a 3-2 defeat to Austria. However, they demonstrated their potential with a dominant 3-0 win over Romania in the last-16, showcasing their attacking prowess with 50 touches inside the Romanian area, the highest recorded by a Netherlands team. Key players Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen were instrumental in securing this victory, and Koeman hopes to replicate his success from 1988 when he helped the Netherlands win their only major men’s trophy.
Turkey, on the other hand, kicked off their last-16 match with the fastest knockout round goal in European Championship history, setting the tone for a thrilling encounter against Austria. Merih Demiral’s unexpected brace and a last-minute save by goalkeeper Mert Gunok secured Turkey's place in the quarter-finals, despite the absence of captain Hakan Calhanoglu due to suspension. Under Vincenzo Montella’s leadership, Turkey has shown resilience and promise, with young talents like Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz stepping up in crucial moments. Turkey’s journey to the quarter-finals included a win over Georgia, a defeat to Portugal, and a late victory against the Czech Republic, demonstrating their fighting spirit.
As both teams prepare for this crucial match, the Netherlands will likely field a similar XI to the one that triumphed over Romania. Key figures like Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Memphis Depay are expected to lead the charge, though Steven Bergwijn’s injury might see either Jeremie Frimpong or Donyell Malen start. Turkey will welcome back Hakan Calhanoglu, but suspensions for Orkun Kokcu and Ismail Yuksek pose challenges. The potential absence of Merih Demiral due to a possible sanction adds further uncertainty. Despite these challenges, Turkey’s young squad, bolstered by recent performances, will not be deterred as they aim for only their second semi-final appearance in Euros history.
This quarter-final match promises to be an exciting contest of skill and determination. The Netherlands aim to leverage their experience and talent, while Turkey’s youthful exuberance and recent form make them formidable opponents. Football fans can expect an entertaining and closely fought battle as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals.