EM test match, Thursday, 06.06.2024
Ronald Koeman is the current Bonds coach, who was once part of the legendary Elftal team that won the Netherlands’ only major title at the 1988 European Championship. Under his leadership, a Dutch return to the continental soccer throne is set to take place this summer.
On the way there, I have written a Netherlands Canada tip for you, where you can try out one or two of the European Championship bonus offers in advance.
Meanwhile, I’m looking forward with great confidence to a start-to-finish victory for Oranje over the limited Maple Leafs …
Canada is the joint test match partner of both the French and the Dutch just before the start of the 2024 European Championship.
It will therefore be interesting to see how the two direct group opponents perform against the same opponent. Will it be possible to draw any conclusions about who might finish top of Group D?
The Maple Leafs are certainly a worthy test, as they themselves are feverishly preparing for the Copa America 2024, which is due to start soon.
A clear victory for Oranje over “Team Canada” could also be seen as a signal to the French – along the lines of: There’s no way around us in the preliminary round!
In any case, the Dutch have brought a world-class squad with them to Germany, and we’ll be able to gather some impressions of them next Thursday.
The mix of young and old is simply extraordinary. Experienced players like Stefan de Vrij (Inter) will be joined by some of the world’s most talented youngsters in Jeremie Frimpong (Leverkusen) and Cody Gakpo (Liverpool).
Meanwhile, Xavi Simmons (RB Leipzig), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) and Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta) could form the backbone of one of the best midfield line-ups at Euro 2024. Wherever we look: The Dutch are bursting with talent.
Unfortunately, a summary of the Netherlands’ recent results does not read as well as the possible starting line-up.
Consequently, the task that has been set for the Bonds coach is to finally deliver results that are in line with the potential of this squad.
Second place in the European Championship qualifiers behind France and a 2-1 defeat against Germany in the last test match suggest that Oranje can hold their own against weaker teams, but will not have much to say in the big game.
A win over Canada in De Kuip should therefore be a priority for Ronald Koeman, as a positive experience and the support of the fans behind them should mean less of a headwind in Germany
Canada are preparing for the Copa America and boast two powerful players in Alphonso Davies (Bayern) and Stephen Eustáquio (Porto), who must be counted among the best players on the continent, even in Europe.
However, the performance gap within the team is enormous, meaning that the Dutch, who are much better equipped in most positions, should have no problem winning. The European Championship bookmakers are also convinced of this.
If they fail to put in a successful performance against Canada, I will have to readjust my own European Championship bets. Because in a real group of death with France and the unruly Austrians, it will hardly get any easier for the Elftal …
According to their very own Netherlands Canada odds – as already mentioned – the bookmakers are also convinced that the hosts will prevail. The average NED win odds of 1.37 testify to this.
And in fact, I also strongly doubt that the Maple Leafs will be able to spring a surprise on Thursday.
Team Canada’s recent performances include a resounding 4-1 defeat to Japan and an indisputable 3-2 loss to Jamaica, so I simply don’t see the conditions for a shock win over Oranje.
By the way, this is the first ever meeting between the two nations on Thursday.
But you don’t have to be a sports betting guru to understand that you can only find the best European Championship free bets with us and that the Dutch should win this first sporting comparison with CAN.
The only three nations to beat Holland on home soil since November 2021 have been absolute footballing superpowers like Croatia (2:4), Italy (2:3) and France (1:2).
Canada have hardly played any international matches against teams belonging to the UEFA association in recent years. The only two duels against European nations in recent years took place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
And in both cases, Croatia (4:1) and Belgium (1:0), the respective representatives of the “Old Continent”, two teams that can certainly be compared to Oranje in terms of performance, came out on top.
You can already access the pre-tips in our European Championship section, which will provide you with all the information you need to know about the group game in question – including kick-off time and broadcasting rights.
Conclusion: Oranje have every reason to want to send out a positive signal before the start of the European Championship.
Especially as they would certainly be reproached at home if they did not celebrate a more convincing victory against the same opponents the French will face just a few days later.
The playing potential is certainly enough to put the Maple Leafs to the sword, which is why Ronald Koeman would be well advised to celebrate a commanding start-to-finish victory on Thursday. Otherwise, he can prepare himself for an uncomfortable time!
My Netherlands Canada tip is therefore: Half time/final score 1/1.
