[ 2024 European Cup Netherlands ] The Oranje fell at the round of 16 stage three years ago, but have the tools to go further this time around.

The Netherlands won't be among the favourites to win Euro 2024, but they should be considered dark horses under Ronald Koeman, who guided them to second in their qualifying group behind France. Koeman inherited a talented squad from Louis van Gaal after their impressive run to the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, and will be confident of making an even bigger splash in Germany this summer.

The Oranje have certainly come a long way since their shock last-16 defeat to the Czech Republic at the last European Championship, with a perfect mix of youth and experience holding them in good stead as they bid to win the tournament for the time since 1988.

Another showdown with France awaits in Group D, with the Netherlands also facing a tough examination against Austria, but Koeman's team should fear no one given the quality they possess across the pitch.

And Koeman has shown his hand for the tournament, piecing together a strong 30-man provisional squad. And although there will be cuts to come, the coach has a lot to work with...

GOALKEEPERS

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is currently holding the Netherlands' No.1 jersey, but his position is by no means safe. Verbruggen only got his chance with Koeman last year when Mark Flekken got injured, and the Brentford shot-stopper might still be in with a shout of snagging his spot.

Meanwhile, Sparta Rotterdam's Nick Olij gets on the plane after receiving his maiden international call-up in October, and Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow round out the four-man setup.

Name Club

Justin Bijlow Feyenoord

Mark Flekken Brentford

Nick Olij Sparta Rotterdam

Bart Verbruggen Brighton

DEFENDERS

Led by Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands are blessed with plenty of quality at the back, and Nathan Ake will likely slot in alongside the Liverpool superstar after another impressive season at Manchester City.

Inter's Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind, who is enjoying a late career swansong at La Liga upstarts Girona, also played a key role in the Oranje's Euros qualifying campaign and will have important parts to play in Germany.

Competition for starting roles will be fierce, though, with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong and Tottenham summer signing Micky van de Ven also staking strong claims with their form at club level.

Arsenal's Jurrien Timber, though, is out of the squad. It seemed that he might be able to get some minutes under his belt after suffering a torn ACL early in the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, but Koeman has elected to leave the versatile defender at home.

Name Club

Nathan Ake Manchester City

Daley Blind Girona

Matthijs de Ligt Bayern Munich

Stefan de Vrij Inter

Denzel Dumfries Inter

Jeremie Frimpong Bayer Leverkusen

Lutsharel Geertruida Feyenoord

Ian Maatsen Borussia Dortmund

Micky van de Ven Tottenham

Virgil van Dijk Liverpool

MIDFIELDERS

Frenkie de Jong has been sidelined for nearly a month after picking up an ankle injury for Barcelona, and won't play for his club again this season. However, Koeman has decided that the midfielder will be back in time to dictate the pace in midfield for the Netherlands at the Euros. Meanwhile, Jerdy Schouten is set to be the Barcelona playmaker's right-hand man, having been one of PSV's standout performers during their run to the top of the Eredivisie and Champions League knockout stages.

Atalanta duo Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners can also slot into holding midfield roles, while uncapped Quinten Timber has shown his versatility at Feyenoord and keeps his place at the Euros after being named in Koeman's squad for March friendly games against Scotland and Germany.

Interestingly, Georginio Wijnaldum has also made the cut, despite the fact he now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, and the former Liverpool midfielder's experience could be very useful if the Oranje make it to the latter stages of the tournament. Ryan Gravenberch rounds out an interesting midfielder corps for the Dutch.

Name Club

Frenkie de Jong Barcelona

Marten de Roon Atalanta

Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool

Teun Koopmeiners Atalanta

Tijjani Reijnders AC Milan

Jerdy Schouten PSV

Quinten Timber Feyenoord

Georginio Wijnaldum Al-Ettifaq

FORWARDS

Koeman is known for his pragmatic style of play, and tends to favour one up front, with Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst set to fill that position despite a somewhat underwhelming season at Hoffenheim.

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo will likely sit just behind Weghorst alongside Paris Saint-Germain starlet Xavi Simons, who has enjoyed a superb individual campaign on loan at RB Leipzig.

Memphis Depay is also still in the frame despite a mixed year with Atletico Madrid, and Steven Bergwijn also makes the squad despite struggling for Ajax this year.

Name Club

Steven Bergwijn Ajax

Brian Brobbey Ajax

Memphis Depay Atletico Madrid

Cody Gakpo Liverpool

Donyell Malen Borussia Dortmund

Xavi Simons RB Leipzig

Wout Weghorst Hoffenheim