The Netherlands have had to alter their arrangements just 24 hours before their clash against England
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Netherlands saw their preparations for the Euro 2024 semi-final against England disrupted on Tuesday evening.
Ronald Koeman’s side booked a last-four clash against the Three Lions by beating Turkey 2-1 on Saturday evening, with the two sides set to do battle in Dortmund on Wednesday night.
The winners will face the victors of Tuesday’s first semi-final which sees France take on Spain, but Koeman’s side have had to scramble in order to change their travel and press conference plans just 24 hours before the match.
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The Dutch squad were due to travel from their base in Wolfsbug to Dortmund on Tuesday afternoon by train, but a blockage on the track saw their scheduled train cancelled.
This meant the team had to charter a flight to Dortmund at the last minute, with their 155-mile flight believed to be taking off at around 8.20pm, just 24 hours before the match is due to be played. Their late arrival means a pre-match
That also meant that the Dutch had to cancel their pre-match press conference, where Koeman and a player were due to face the media at 7.45pm.
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The Netherlands celebrate a goal against Turkey in their quarter-final (Image credit: Getty Images)
A statement from UEFA stated: “Due to the Netherlands' team travel to Dortmund having been disrupted, their arrival time has been significantly delayed and therefore no (matchday)-1 press conference will take place."
The Dutch FA also released a statement outlining the change of plan. “The Dutch team will not arrive in Dortmund until tonight, where the semi-final against England is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) evening,” it read.
"Players and staff were scheduled to travel from Wolfsburg to Dortmund by train this afternoon around 4pm. This train service has been cancelled due to a blockage on the route."
England boss Gareth Southgate was asked about the delay in his pre-match press conference but dismissed the notion that it would hand his team an advantage.
"We don’t play until 9pm tomorrow,” he said. “There’s plenty of time. I’m sure they’ll still get dinner."
For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team.
