The Dutch supporters are some of the best and most colorful in international football -- but they won't be at next year's European Championship finals.
Not invited —
The Dutch supporters are some of the best and most colorful in international football -- but they won't be at next year's European Championship finals.
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Its team was beaten 3-2 at home by the Czech Republic with Robin van Persie scoring at both ends of the field. The forward netted an own-goal to leave his side trailing 3-0 with 24 minutes remaining. He did atone for his error, scoring in the right net but it wasn't enough as the Dutch fell short.
Nightmare —
Its team was beaten 3-2 at home by the Czech Republic with Robin van Persie scoring at both ends of the field. The forward netted an own-goal to leave his side trailing 3-0 with 24 minutes remaining. He did atone for his error, scoring in the right net but it wasn't enough as the Dutch fell short.
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The Czech Republic, which played the second half with 10 men after having a player sent off, qualified in first place ahead of Iceland in second. Turkey's 1-0 win over Iceland means it booked its place in the finals as the best third-place team.
Czech mate —
The Czech Republic, which played the second half with 10 men after having a player sent off, qualified in first place ahead of Iceland in second. Turkey's 1-0 win over Iceland means it booked its place in the finals as the best third-place team.
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Louis van Gaal left his role as coach of the national team after guiding it to the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup. He joined Manchester United and was replaced by Guus Hiddink.
Beginning of the end? —
Louis van Gaal left his role as coach of the national team after guiding it to the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup. He joined Manchester United and was replaced by Guus Hiddink.
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Hiddink returned for a second spell as national team manager after coaching the Netherlands between 1995 and 1998. But he lasted just 10 months. The Dutch were beaten by Iceland and the Czech Republic during his time in charge.
No good Guus —
Hiddink returned for a second spell as national team manager after coaching the Netherlands between 1995 and 1998. But he lasted just 10 months. The Dutch were beaten by Iceland and the Czech Republic during his time in charge.
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Netherland's defender Stefan de Vrij was part of the Dutch side which suffered a 2-1 defeat in the opening qualifying game against the Czech Republic. The defender had scored a 55th-minute equalizer but with the clock ticking down, the home side scored a dramatic late winner.<br />
Slow start —
Netherland's defender Stefan de Vrij was part of the Dutch side which suffered a 2-1 defeat in the opening qualifying game against the Czech Republic. The defender had scored a 55th-minute equalizer but with the clock ticking down, the home side scored a dramatic late winner.
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Two defeats by Iceland, which qualified for its first ever European Championship finals, heaped more embarrassment on the Dutch. After losing 2-0 in Reykjavik, it suffered a 1-0 home defeat with Gylfi Sigurdsson netting the winner from the penalty spot.
Frozen out —
Two defeats by Iceland, which qualified for its first ever European Championship finals, heaped more embarrassment on the Dutch. After losing 2-0 in Reykjavik, it suffered a 1-0 home defeat with Gylfi Sigurdsson netting the winner from the penalty spot.
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A 3-0 defeat away in Turkey left the Dutch needing to defeat the Czech Republic in its final game and hope that other results went its way.
Turkish delight —
A 3-0 defeat away in Turkey left the Dutch needing to defeat the Czech Republic in its final game and hope that other results went its way.
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Danny Blind, who was Hiddink's assistant, took over in July in a bid to salvage the qualification campaign. Blind won 42 caps during a 20-year playing career with Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam, and also managed Ajax. He has vowed to remain in charge.
Where next? —
Danny Blind, who was Hiddink's assistant, took over in July in a bid to salvage the qualification campaign. Blind won 42 caps during a 20-year playing career with Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam, and also managed Ajax. He has vowed to remain in charge.
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It's all a far cry from the 2010 World Cup when the Dutch reached the final. On that occasions it was beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time.
So close —
It's all a far cry from the 2010 World Cup when the Dutch reached the final. On that occasions it was beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time.
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In 2014, Netherlands reached the semifinals of the World Cup where it was beaten on penalties by Argentina. It had started the campaign by thrashing reigning champion Spain 5-1.
Heartache —
In 2014, Netherlands reached the semifinals of the World Cup where it was beaten on penalties by Argentina. It had started the campaign by thrashing reigning champion Spain 5-1.
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Ruud Gullit was one of the key men behind the nation's triumph at the 1988 European Championship finals. Marco van Basten's iconic strike sealed a 2-0 win over USSR in the final.
Champions —
Ruud Gullit was one of the key men behind the nation's triumph at the 1988 European Championship finals. Marco van Basten's iconic strike sealed a 2-0 win over USSR in the final.
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