Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk names 2 ‘very strong teams’ ahead of Euro 2024
Netherland captain Virgil van Dijk has named two strong teams heading into Euro 2024 this summer. The Liverpool centre-back reckoned that England and France both possess incredible teams and could win the European Championship.
The 2023-24 season will end after Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund settle their scores in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley this Saturday, June 1. After that, much of the focus will be transferred to the Euro 2024 coming up in the summer.
All the countries who qualified for the tournament are already preparing for what is ahead, with many having already named their squads for the competition. The Netherlands are one of the big boys heading into the tournament this year. However, they'll face other giants who would definitely give them a run for their money.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutch national team captain, Virgil van Dijk named England and France as two teams with remarkable strength heading into Euro 2024.
"England has a very, very good team and squad, but so many other teams do as well,” the Liverpool star said. “France are very strong. It will be interesting. I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s obviously next door as we say in Holland, so hopefully we have a lot of Dutch fans there supporting us,” he added.
Virgil van Dijk isn't far from the truth. France and England are arguably the strongest teams in the tournament this summer and it'd be interesting to see how other nations square it up with them.
With players like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Ngolo Kante, Les Bleus will send shivers down the spine of opposition sides. Meanwhile, the presence of players like Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Kyle Walker on the Three Lions roster is enough to annihilate others on paper. The Three Lions also reached the final last time out, losing to Italy in the final on penalties.
Who joins Virgil van Dijk on The Netherlands' Euro 2024 roster?
Netherlands national team manager Ronald Koeman has released his provisional squad for the European Championship ahead of the summer. Virgil van Dijk, of course, tops the list. He's joined by a number of top players plying their trades in diverse clubs across Europe.
The likes of Stefan de Vrij, Daley Blind, Mathijs De Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Xavi Simons, and Cody Gakpo will be there to assist Van Dijk. Players like Wout Weghorst, Memphis Depay, Nathan Ake, Denzel Dumfries, and Ryan Gravenberch among others will also be there.
It is worth noting that there could still be changes to these lists before the tournament arrives. Euro 2024 will kick off in Munich, Germany, on June 14. The Netherlands will face Poland in their opening fixture on June 16, with Austria and France also part of their group.