Netherlands had 'big heart' in Euros comeback against Turkey
Netherlands' head coach Ronald Koeman celebrates after the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final football match between the Netherlands and Turkey at the Olympiastadion Berlin in Berlin on July 6, 2024. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP)
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Two goals inside seven minutes helped the Dutch defeat Turkey in a tight quarter-final clash in Berlin and set up a final-four date with England on Wednesday.
Stefan de Vrij headed home an equaliser in the 70th minute after Samet Akaydin sent Turkey ahead, before Murt Muldur's own goal six minutes later handed Netherlands the victory.
"I think for the whole nation it's something special, we're a small nation and we're in the semis with England, France and Spain, and we're really proud," Koeman told reporters.
"We had to suffer tonight, but that's the same across the whole Euros, they gave everything, it was a really emotional match.
"We had a big heart -- sometimes we get criticism about that, that we don't have that compared to other nations, (but) the players showed a big heart tonight."
Turkey fans dominated in the stands given their large diaspora in Germany but the Dutch survived the flares and piercing whistles to scrape through.
"We had to suffer -- it's a great success to be able to play the semi-final," added Koeman.
"You saw tonight there are no small nations, you need to fight and play well, there are difficult moments in a game whoever your opponent are."


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