Netherlands thrash Iceland 4-0 in warm-up but Frenkie de Jong out of Euro

ROTTERDAM – Dutch fans had hoped that Frenkie de Jong would be fit for Euro 2024, but it all turned into despair when it was announced on June 10 that the key playmaker would not be going to the tournament in Germany.

The 27-year-old has been battling to be fit in time, following several ankle injuries this season while playing for Barcelona.

The midfielder tried training for the first time with his teammates on June 9, after a week of individual work, but doctors said he would not be ready following further examinations a day later.

That put a damper on Dutch spirits, despite the impressive 4-0 win over Iceland in the Netherlands’ last Euro 2024 warmup match on June 10 at De Kuip stadium.

De Jong’s diagnosis was made public immediately after the game, but coach Ronald Koeman said he knew about it some four hours before kick-off and had told the players.

“Tests have shown that he cannot yet do what he should be able to do. He gets a reaction from his ankle every time after training,” he told Dutch television.

“Then you have to conclude that he will not be 100 per cent fit for the next three weeks. I already thought that playing against Poland (in the Group D opener) would be difficult.”

De Jong posted a reaction on social media.

“I am sad and disappointed that I will not make it to the European Championship,” he said.

“We have done everything we can in recent weeks, but unfortunately my ankle needs more time.

“It is a dream and the greatest honour to represent your country at a final tournament, to wear the orange shirt, sing the national anthem and feel the support of the entire country. But now I, like the entire Oranje legion, will cheer our team on from the sidelines. Let’s go boys.”

That was followed by more bad news as fellow first-choice midfielder Teun Koopmeiners of Atalanta was also ruled out after injuring his groin in the warmup before the Iceland win.

Koeman called up just one replacement in left-back Ian Maatsen, who helped Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final.

Earlier, the Dutch made sure of a good send-off as Xavi Simons finally scored for his country on his 14th international appearance, putting the hosts 1-0 up in the 23rd minute.

Virgil van Dijk then got on the scoresheet for a second successive game before Donyell Malen added the third.

Wout Weghorst netted the fourth on the stroke of full time as the Dutch prepare to face Poland on June 16 in Hamburg, followed by France and Austria in the group stage.

Defender Nathan Ake said it was tough to learn just before the kick-off that de Jong would miss the tournament. “Everyone went straight to see him. It’s hard for him, it’s hard for us. Frenkie is an important player for us and he is super in the squad,” he said.

There were also more injury concerns in the Poland camp.

Their captain Robert Lewandowski came off injured after 33 minutes as the Poles won their last warmup 2-1 against Turkey in Warsaw.

His strike partner Karol Swiderski had already left the field after hurting his right ankle while celebrating scoring the home’s side 12th-minute opener.

Baris Alper Yilmaz levelled for Turkey after 77 minutes but Nicola Zalewski scored the winner on 90 minutes.

Poland have already lost Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik, who was injured against Ukraine on June 7.

“Karol has sprained his ankle,” coach Michal Probierz said, adding that more tests are needed.

The Polish Football Association confirmed on June 11 that Lewandowski, who has scored 82 times in 150 games for his country, will miss their opener against the Netherlands after suffering a torn hamstring.

Turkey are in Group F and face Georgia on June 18, followed by Portugal and the Czech Republic. REUTERS, AFP