Netherlands have confirmed that there has been one addition to their Euro 2024 squad after seeing a second player withdraw over the past 24 hours.
Unlike many of their rivals, Ronald Koeman made the decision to confirm his 26-player squad considerably earlier than the June 7 deadline.
On the pitch, that seemingly resulted in a settled group justifying the decision with 4-0 victories having been recorded over Canada and Iceland respectively.
However, Oranje have suffered two significant injury setbacks, the first occurring on Monday evening when it was announced that key Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong would not be taking his place in the squad due to failing to recover from an ankle injury.
As a result, reports emerged that Ian Maatsen, who was initially omitted from the provisional group, would be called-up as his replacement.
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One in, two out for Netherlands
That selection may have been confirmed on Tuesday regardless of any more withdrawals, yet it became an inevitability once it materialised that a second player would miss out on the tournament.
Netherlands announced on Tuesday morning that Teun Koopmeiners was the second influential midfielder who had been forced to pull out.
The Atalanta BC star suffered a groin injury during the warm-up ahead of Monday's game with Iceland, and it has since been revealed that he will not recover in time to play a significant part of the competition.
Teun Koopmeiners misses EURO 2024. 😔
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 11, 2024
The midfielder won't be able to participate after he injured himself during the warm-up of the match against Iceland yesterday.
We're thinking of you, Teun. 🧡#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/AhhvDe1Bgf
Koeman has now gone with the selection of Maatsen, despite the Chelsea player having yet to earn a senior cap for his national team.
Why has Maatsen got the nod?
Had more players been available, it is plausible that Koeman could have decided differently, even though Maatsen's versatility is an obvious plus point.
Quinten Timber and Marten de Roon were alternatives, only for injuries to cost them their own chance of representing their country in Germany.
Nevertheless, Koeman still has five central midfielders at his disposal, as well as either Nathan Ake or Daley Blind also offering cover if required.
Maatsen also provides a different option at left-back, left wing-back and in a creative-midfield role, and remains fit having represented Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final as recently as June 1.
Darren Plant
