Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals: Turkey Set to Clash with Netherlands in Anticipated Match
The Turkish national football team is poised to face the Netherlands in a highly anticipated Euro 2024 quarter-final match this evening. The game is set to kick off at 10:00 PM Turkish time at the Berlin Olympic Stadium. Adding to the significance of the event, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to attend the match in Berlin.
President Erdoğan’s decision to travel to Berlin has sparked reactions within German political circles. Some politicians from both the center-right and center-left have voiced concerns that his presence at the stadium could escalate tensions. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the numerous visits from world leaders during Euro 2024 and expressed his pleasure at Erdoğan’s visit.
Amidst this backdrop, the atmosphere surrounding the Euro 2024 quarter-final is further charged by a UEFA-imposed suspension on Turkish player Merih Demiral. Heightened security measures are in place in Berlin for the match.
After scoring two goals against Austria, which paved Turkey’s way to the quarter-finals and earning him the man of the match title, Merih Demiral will be absent from the crucial Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against the Netherlands due to suspension. UEFA handed Demiral a two-match ban for allegedly making a “grey wolf gesture” after his second goal in the Austria game. Adding to Turkey’s challenges, İsmail Yüksek and Orkun Kökçü are also suspended for the Netherlands match due to accumulated yellow cards.
However, there’s positive news for the Turkish side as captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu is expected to return to the starting lineup after serving his card suspension. On the Dutch side, Donyell Malen is likely to replace Steven Bergwijn, who is nursing a minor injury. The Netherlands is anticipated to field a similar lineup to the one that secured a 3-0 victory against Romania. The Dutch team boasts star players like Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay, and Virgil van Dijk, who will be key figures in their quest to overcome Turkey in this Euro 2024 quarter-final.
The referee for this significant Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Turkey and the Netherlands will be 42-year-old French official Clément Turpin. His assistants, Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pages, are also from the French Federation. German referee Felix Zwayer will serve as the fourth official, while Jérôme Brisard from France will be the VAR referee. The winner of this quarter-final will advance to face the winner of the England-Switzerland match on July 10th for a place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
‘Turkey: An Unpredictable Opponent’
Historically, Turkey and the Netherlands have faced each other 14 times. The Netherlands have won 6 of these encounters, while Turkey has secured 4 victories, with 4 matches ending in a draw. Notably, Turkey defeated the Netherlands 3-0 in a Euro Championship qualifier played in Konya on September 6, 2015. The two teams also clashed in the 2021 World Cup group qualifiers. Turkey won the first match 4-2, fueled by a hat-trick from Burak Yılmaz, while the Netherlands dominated the second leg with a 6-1 victory.
The Netherlands, currently ranked 7th in the world, are considered favorites on paper against 42nd-ranked Turkey as they reach their first Euro quarter-final since 2008. However, Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman anticipates a tougher Euro 2024 quarter-final match against Turkey compared to their encounter with Romania. Koeman believes Turkey will be more defensively solid and less prone to errors than Romania.
“I assume Turkey has analyzed us well. The Turks will undoubtedly make the necessary plan to arm themselves,” Koeman stated, highlighting the strategic challenge ahead in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
According to Dutch sports media, the youthful composition of Montella’s squad and the air of mystery surrounding Turkey make them an unpredictable opponent for the Netherlands national team in this Euro 2024 quarter-final. Media reports suggest that Montella’s Turkey, often employing a 3-4-3 formation with two wing-backs, has succeeded in minimizing gaps in defense. This tactical approach is expected to limit opportunities for Gakpo and other Dutch attackers in the upcoming Euro 2024 quarter-final match.
‘Arda Güler: One of Football’s Greatest Talents of Our Time’
Dutch media outlets emphasize that Turkey presents a different challenge compared to Romania, boasting individually superior players. Particularly highlighted are Arda Güler, dubbed “Turkey’s genius” and the “Turkish Messi,” along with Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Orkun Kökçü, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and goalkeeper Mert Günok, all seen as key figures for Turkey in this Euro 2024 quarter-final.
Arda Güler is described as “a potential world star at just 19 years old. With his dribbling skills, shots, and technique, he is regarded as one of the greatest football talents of our era,” reflecting the high expectations surrounding the young player in the context of the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Dutch media also note that while Merih Demiral, Orkun Kökçü, and İsmail Yüksek’s absence is an advantage for the Netherlands, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Hakan Çalhanoğlu are expected to play crucial roles in the quarter-final match.
Ahead of the Berlin Euro 2024 quarter-final, factors causing concern for the Netherlands include the anticipated strong Turkish fan presence and the motivation sparked by Merih Demiral’s suspension.
Fan Advantage Leans Towards Turkey
According to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, Turkey is expected to have a significant fan advantage at the Berlin match, described as “the largest Turkish city outside of Turkey.” Dutch media has been broadcasting from Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, often referred to as ‘Little Istanbul’, for days, emphasizing the strong Turkish presence ahead of the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
With approximately 300,000 Turkish-origin immigrants residing in Berlin, Dutch media anticipates that Turkish national team supporters will heavily outnumber Dutch fans at the Berlin Olympic Stadium and its surroundings on Saturday evening for this Euro 2024 quarter-final.
Dutch national player Daley Blind acknowledged the passionate Turkish fanbase, stating, “Turkish fans are emotional and passionate. We need to try to silence them, but also enjoy the atmosphere in the stadium. We need to channel the positive energy without getting carried away.” Coach Koeman also believes that the large Turkish fan base in Berlin will overwhelm Dutch supporters. He emphasizes the importance of ball possession for his team, stating that keeping possession will automatically quiet the Turkish fans. “Good concentration is important. Turks are enthusiastic, they have a big heart and play well with the ball, but we must be the ones with ball possession,” he added, outlining his strategy for the Euro 2024 quarter-final. Dutch player Denzel Dumfries, however, dismisses concerns about pressure from Turkish fans, stating it will not affect them.
Van Basten Criticizes UEFA’s Demiral Sanction
Dutch sports media suggests that UEFA’s two-match ban on Merih Demiral will further motivate both Turkish fans and the emotionally driven Turkish team in this Euro 2024 quarter-final. Turkish national team player Ferdi Kadıoğlu, who was born in the Netherlands, and Coach Montella have both highlighted this motivational aspect in their statements to Dutch media.
Kadıoğlu defended Demiral’s “grey wolf gesture” after his goal, stating it had no political intent and was simply a celebration with fans worldwide. “We believe the penalty given is unfair,” he stated, emphasizing the team’s perspective on the Euro 2024 quarter-final controversy. Both Montella and Ferdi Kadıoğlu stressed that this sanction against the Turkish national team provides them with extra motivation for the Euro 2024 quarter-final match.
Marco van Basten, a studio commentator for Dutch public broadcaster NOS, which is broadcasting the Euro 2024 matches live, also criticized UEFA’s sanction against Demiral. Van Basten expressed his bewilderment at the penalty during a live NOS broadcast: “Shouldn’t the Turks impose the penalty if they feel this behavior is unacceptable? Who is UEFA to say ‘you can’t do this.’ Now you are again allowing politics to come into play, because you are deciding to sideline a player. Then you say they are politicizing, aren’t you? I find this very strange. Stick to football!”
Heightened Security Measures in the Netherlands
Ahead of the Turkey-Netherlands Euro 2024 quarter-final match, heightened security measures are in place in several Dutch cities. In Rotterdam, which has a large Turkish immigrant population, the main street in the city center has been prepared for football fans. The main street will be closed to vehicle and tram traffic from match time onwards and will be pedestrian-only. In some city centers, the sale of alcoholic beverages in glass glasses and bottles will be prohibited until Sunday morning.
Many cities, including Amsterdam and Utrecht, will broadcast the Turkey-Netherlands quarter-final match on giant screens in open-air venues. Many summer festivals across the Netherlands will also broadcast the match on giant screens on Saturday evening, allowing fans to gather and watch this key Euro 2024 quarter-final.