Koeman recalls Noppert for Nations League final round; no Cillessen and Berghuis
NOS Soccer–
National coach Ronald Koeman has added Andries Noppert to the Dutch national team’s final selection for the Nations League final round. The Heerenveen goalkeeper was missing from the provisional selection while still injured. On Sunday he made his comeback in the final round of the premier league.
Noppert is preferred by Koeman over NEC goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and Anderlecht goalie Bart Verbruggen, who were included in the provisional selection.
Ajacieden Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen and Brian Brobbey also did not make the Nations League selection, as did Kenny Tete (Fulham) and Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale). AZ midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is in the Oranje final selection for the first time.
Orange selection
| Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Attackers |
| Justin Bijlow | Nathan Aké | Frenkie de Jong | Steven Bergwijn |
| Mark Flekken | Daley Blind | Teun Koopmeiners | Memphis Depay |
| Andries Noppert | Sven Botman | Tijjani Reijnders | Cody Gakpo |
| Virgil van Dijk | Marten de Roon | Noa Lang | |
| Denzel Dumfries | Joey Veerman | Donyell Malen | |
| Lutsharel Geertruida | Mats Wieffer | Xavi Simons | |
| Matthijs de Ligt | Georginio Wijnaldum | Wout Weghorst | |
| Tyrell Malacia | |||
| Jurriën Timber |
The Dutch will play Croatia in the semifinals on Wednesday, June 14, with the other semifinal match between Italy and Spain a day later.
The players gather at Zeist on June 10. Nathan Aké (Manchester City) and Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale) are still playing the Champions League final in Istanbul that evening and will join the selection later.
A group of 16 players reported for a three-day training camp as early as June 5.
Two games, one win
Also in 2019, the Netherlands, then also led by Ronald Koeman, played in the last four of the Nations League. Back then, the final was lost against Portugal.
Koeman started his second term as national coach in March this year with a big defeat. The first qualifying match for the 2024 European Championship was lost 4-0 to France. Gibraltar was defeated a few days later, but the Dutch did not get further than 3-0.
Qualification for the European Championship continues for the Orange in September with matches against Greece (home) and Ireland (away).
