The Netherlands started a second-string lineup tonight against Romania, as their passage to the next round was already secured by wins over France and Italy. The second-stringers refused to be showed up; the Romanians were shut down, 2-0.
That means the Dutch went through the round robin undefeated and outscored their opponents 9-1, including games against the two World Cup finalists. Unbelievable! Now they enter the playoff tree and their first game will be against either Russia or Sweden, depending on how things go tonight.
Meanwhile, the tournament is being hosted in Switzerland and Austria. Both host teams are out, so who are all the locals going to cheer for?
The Swiss may be famed for their neutrality but a fair proportion have now switched allegiance to the Netherlands – 22 per cent according to a poll in three Swiss newspapers, which has Portugal in second on 15 per cent. [...] Austria, meanwhile, is united in its wish to see rivals Germany knocked out at the first opportunity. Twenty-four per cent of people polled by Ö3 radio station are pinning their hopes on Portugal, though the Netherlands come out on top with 36 per cent. Fans in both countries have clearly warmed to the free-flowing attacking football played by Marco van Basten's side, whose supporters have turned Berne and now Zurich orange on matchdays.
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