Netherlands suffer travel CHAOS ahead of crucial semi-final against England On Sunday..
with Ronald Koeman’s squad left stranded on a train station platform and requiring a police escort to airport for emergency flight
The Netherlands’ plans to face England have been hit by issues on Germany’s infamous train network – with Ronald Koeman and his squad left stranded on a station platform in stifling temperatures.
Ahead of their Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday in Dortmund, Dutch officials were forced to scramble for alternative arrangements when news filtered through that the Wolfsburg to Dortmund service they were waiting for had been cancelled thanks to a blockage on the line.
Amid what have been described as ‘panicked scenes’ a bus was summoned and the group hastily left with a police escort.
Instead of arriving in Dortmund ahead of a 7.45pm press conference on Tuesday night at the stadium, an emergency flight was booked to depart at 8.20pm.
That meant the Netherlands missed the opportunity for a warm-up and familiarisation session at Borussia Dortmund‘s stunning Signal Iduna Park.
Instead of a late afternoon arrival they were due in at around 9pm, having taken the 200-mile journey by air.
Temperatures in Germany hit an uncomfortable 33 Celsius on Tuesday, although a drop is expected for Wednesday night’s 8pm kick-off.
UEFA have urged sides to avoid air travel whenever possible as they seek to make the tournament more eco-friendly. The delay also means that the group will miss a large part of Tuesday evening’s other semi-final between France and Spain.
The scheduled press conference was postponed, with a Zoom meeting set up instead.
Germany’s rail network has triggered frustration among fans and media, with delays and cancellation frustratingly commonplace.
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Netherlands vs England: Four Key Dutch Threats Ahead of Euro 2024 Semi-Final
The Three Lions might be favourites for the Netherlands vs England in Wednesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final, but Ronald Koeman’s side have enough to punish their opponents if they fail to rise to the occasion
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands are all that stand between England and another European Championship final; runners-up three years ago at the delayed Euro 2020, they hope to go one better and finally end a trophy drought that stretches all the way back to 1966 for the men’s team.
Performances haven’t been particularly impressive from England in this tournament, though, requiring a dramatic late equaliser and then extra-time to get past Slovakia, before needing penalties to see off Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
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