FAITH IN PLAYERS
Under Koeman the future of the Oranje looks bright. Youngsters like central midfielder Frenkie de Jong and centre-back Matthijs de Ligt are regarded as two of the most promising players. Memphis Depay (left) and Georginio Wijnaldum have returned to their best form over the last 18 months and in Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands have one of the best defenders around. The result against Germany came three days after the team produced one of its best performances in years to beat France 2-0. While they beat Portugal 3-0 in March in a friendly, they defeated Germany by the same score at home in the Nations
League. PORTUGAL, who will be playing on home soil, have a superstar in Cristiano Ronaldo who should be back in the team after an extended absence from international football since the World Cup.
ENGLAND have Harry Kane, the top scorer at the World Cup, and a talented, dynamic group of young players under forward-thinking coach Gareth Southgate.
SWITZERLAND, who haven’t reached a quarter-final of any international tournament since 1954, will be the outsider.
THE NETHERLANDS, at No 15, will be the lowest-ranked team in the competition but should not be discounted.
LEAGUE B
Czech Republic 1
Denmark 0
LEAGUE C
Cyprus 0 Bulgaria 1
LEAGUE D
Georgia 2 Andorra 0
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein 2
Switzerland
Belgium
Iceland
Portugal
Italy
Poland
England
Spain
Croatia
M4
4
4 0 2 2 –4 2
4
4
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
W2
2
3
3
0
2
1
0
2
2
1
Netherlands 1
Slovakia 0
Ireland 0
Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 0
D1
1
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
0
1
Norway 2 Slovenia 1
Gibraltar 0 Armenia 2
L1
1
1
1
4
0
1
2
1
2
2
4
0
9
3
-12
2
0
-2
1
5
-6
7
7
9
9
0
7
5
1
7
6
4
Table-toppers qualify for the Nations League finals to be held in June, 2019.