It is clear the Netherlands are back as a footballing force in Europe and the world, writes BBC Scotland commentator Liam McLeod.
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Twice in the past 10 years the Netherlands have failed to qualify for major competitions with the finger pointed at those who kept returning to the 'old guard' to get them through. It was not that they suddenly stopped producing talent - the likes of Georgino Wijnaldum, Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay were all ensconced in the squad by this point. It was the lack of a Gareth Bale, a Robert Lewandowski or a Cristiano Ronaldo that took them from number one in the world to a record low of 36.
Koeman was seduced by the Barcelona job after the Covid pandemic postponed the multi-country tournament, with Frank de Boer leading them instead of his former international team-mate who got them there. They lost twice to France in qualifying but finished a comfortable second by winning their other six games in the section and the current squad have the natives looking ahead with positivity for the first time in a while.They will open Euro 2024 with a match against the winners of the play-off path that Wales are hoping to emerge from before taking on the French again and Austria.
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