We need a push up: Holland’s (top, from left) Georginio Wijnaldum, Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen warming up at a training session. — AFP
BERLIN: Cody Gakpo and Arda Guler endured frustrating seasons but both have established themselves as their teams’ vital players before Holland face Turkiye in a Euro 2024 quarter-final clash today.
Holland won the competition for the first and only time in 1988, with Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten among a talented squad.
The current roster is less illustrious but Liverpool left winger Gakpo, 25, is successfully staking his claim to be their leading light, with three goals this summer.
“Gakpo is our star,” former Dutch international Pierre van Hooijdonk said on Dutch channel NOS.
Overshadowed by Mohamed Salah at Anfield, where he has played inconsistently, Gakpo has burst into life in Germany as a constant threat coming in off the left.
Half of the forward’s 12 goals for his country have come at major tournaments, with three at the World Cup two years ago.
With another he will match compatriots and former stars Ruud van Nistelrooy and Arjen Robben on seven.
“He is a great player who is solid on the ball... and super important for us,” said Koeman after the 3-0 last 16 win over Romania, in which Gakpo scored and also brilliantly teed up Donyell Malen.
“He is one of the players with extra qualities and fortunately he makes the difference at moments like this.”
In Gakpo’s way is Turkiye goalkeeper Mert Gunok, whose sensational last-minute save to claw out Christoph Baumgartner’s header was compared to Gordon Banks denying Pele at the 1970 World Cup.
Hotshots on collision course: Holland’s Cody Gakpo and Turkiye’s arda Guler have established themselves as their teams’ vital players after frustrating seasons. — aFP
At the other end, Real Madrid attacker Guler is Turkiye’s main weapon. After months of injury problems and struggling to earn a chance in the Spanish capital, Guler burst into life in the final weeks of the season.
With the Spanish title won, Carlo Ancelotti let Guler loose and he blossomed at the perfect time to take the creative controls for Turkiye this summer.
The 19-year-old scored a stunning effort against Georgia in Turkiye’s thrilling opening win and created both of his team’s goals against Austria in the 2-1 last 16 win with set pieces.
“He put in a great performance and he ran like he’s never done before in his career, and I’m proud of that too,” said Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella.
It is only the fourth time Turkiye have reached the quarter-finals of a major tournament and the first since 2008. They are boosted by the return of captain Hakan Calhanoglu and defender Samet Akaydin from suspension but will miss the suspended Orkun Kokcu and Ismail Yuksek.
By contrast, Holland have their full complement available.
“This is the level- if we dip, we don’t reach the final,” said Koeman, the former Barcelona coach.
Gakpo is hoping for further improvement still. “We are not yet where we want to be,” remarked the winger.
If Holland can get through the Turkiye test, fans can start dreaming of a second Euros triumph, with England or Switzerland awaiting in the semi-final in what has been dubbed the “easier” side of the draw. — AFP
