COLOGNE, Germany — Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven expects the Euro 2024 semi-final against England on Wednesday to be a Premier League-type clash.
The Tottenham centre-back is one of several Dutch players who play in England, along with Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, among others.
England’s matches have been slow-paced, largely dull affairs this summer but the meeting with the Dutch in Dortmund could produce a higher-octane duel.
“I think so,” Van de Ven told said according to AFP when asked if he anticipated a Premier League-style affair.
“If you see the quality of players from both teams, you can expect the rhythm and level of the game will be really high.
“Hopefully it’s us that have more of the ball than England, so it’s more England that’s running, but I expect a high-intensity game.”
Gakpo said the Dutch would try to stop Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham from deciding the game.
The 21-year-old scored a brilliant overhead kick against Slovakia in the last 16 to save England when they were on the verge of elimination.
“Obviously he’s having a very, very good season, he’s a world-class player and he made a fantastic goal,” said Gakpo.
“He’s a player we need to watch, but I think they have more players we need to watch (too), they have a very good team with very good players, but we have a very good team as well.”
England reached the semifinals by defeating Switzerland 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw and Gakpo noted the quality of the Three Lions’ spot-kicks.
“Their penalties were very good, but if you see the players who took them, quality players, some of them take penalties for their clubs,” added the left-winger, who is joint top scorer at this Euros with three goals.
“I was impressed but not surprised. The quality is there and we know they are very good when it comes to penalties.
“Hopefully if (the semifinal) comes to penalties we will win.”
The Netherlands reached their first Euros semifinal since 2004 by coming from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 Saturday, building on reaching the World Cup quarterfinal in Qatar two years ago.
“We are a step further than the previous tournament and I am happy that I can be part of this too,” added Gakpo.
The Dutch came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 in Berlin on Saturday in a tense quarter-final, with the balance tipped in their favour by the burly Burnley striker’s appearance from the bench.
With Turkey comfortably sitting 1-0 up at halftime fervently backed by raucous support at the Olympiastadion, Ronald Koeman rolled the dice and called for his wildcard option.
Weghorst burst into football’s global consciousness with a stunning brace as a substitute against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final and is still devastating in that role.
The 31-year-old six-foot-six striker rescued the Netherlands a 2-1 win over Poland in their Euros opener with a well-taken goal off the bench.
Koeman restricted Weghorst to 44 minutes across the Netherlands’ opening four matches but gave him a full 45 against Turkey and it paid dividends, as the team booked a semifinal date with England.
Instantly the Dutch had a target to aim for in the box, with Memphis Depay’s drifting denying them a focal point until Weghorst’s appearance.
“Because of (Weghorst) you create a little bit more chaos in the box and they have to defend more, so I think Wout helped a lot,” Dutch defender Nathan Ake said according to AFP.
“He’s a nightmare to play against. He is strong, is a nuisance in a box and he fights for everything. He runs off everything. So for us he is a great asset.”
Weghorst, who spent the season on loan at Hoffenheim, put the jitters into Turkey’s previously solid defence.
Mert Gunok’s save from Weghorst led to the corner from which the Netherlands equalised, with Stefan de Vrij heading home Depay’s cross.
With the Turkish rear-guard tying themselves in knots to stifle Weghorst, the Netherlands netted again six minutes later with Mert Muldur, under pressure from Cody Gakpo, bundling into his own net from Denzel Dumfries’ raking ball.
“We started quite well but it changed after 20 minutes, (then) they were dominating,” explained Koeman.
