Dutch rebels threaten to keep England waiting for the triumph of its tournament

Guimaraes (Portugal) (AFP) – England's long wait for the first international trophy since 1966 may not last long before the final stage of the League of Nations in Portugal, but the strong return of the Netherlands Ronald Koeman's bottom is a dangerous obstacle for the Three Lions in Thursday's Guimaraes semifinal.

The race to the semifinals of the World Cup last year and memorable victories over Spain and Croatia to qualify for the last four of another tournament here 12 months have given birth to the hope that Gareth Southgate, as a coach of the generation, will finally end the expectation of English glory.

In contrast, the Netherlands experienced a lean period a few years after failing to visit Russia last year or to qualify for Euro 2016.

Even if the Netherlands lost in March at the start of the Euro 2000 qualifying match against Germany, there is no reason to fear missing a third consecutive major tournament.

The team headed by the imperious Virgil van Dijk also has a core Ajax team that was two seconds away from Liverpool's clash with Van Dijk in the Champions League final.

Tottenham denied Eredivisie its first finalist in the Champions League since 1996 with a dramatic win in the semi-finals and the return leg in Amsterdam as the Premier League dominated the European competition this season.

But there is no guarantee that English success will spread on the international stage.

Indeed, there were as many Dutch as English in the starting lineup of Liverpool when they won the European Cup Saturday with Van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum.

One of Koeman's first acts in taking over his country last year was to make Van Dijk his skipper who worked with him in Southampton.

"When you look at Virgil now, he's a very great personality on the ground – he's a leader," Koeman told The Guardian.

"That's why I named him captain.I knew him from Southampton.I thought:" He can do more – he can take on more responsibilities. He is strong; he has a great character and badumes responsibility for it. "

Van Dijk's man-of-the-match display during the Champions League final, coupled with his Premier League player's year-round player award, increased his chances of winning. the Ball of Gold.

Raising the League of Nations would only strengthen his case and it is his international background partner who could take his label as the most expensive advocate in the world.

Matthijs de Ligt is also a leader at 19 years old. The imposing captain of Ajax is sought after by a host of some of the best clubs in Europe after an exceptional season.

"We have the best central defenders with De Ligt and Virgil," said Koeman. "It's great because you always build the house downstairs. You do not start with the roof.

"It's the goal as a manager: goalkeeper, defender.The central part of the team has to be strong."

The Netherlands are reinforced by two other products from Ajax, Frenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek, alongside Wijnaldum in midfield.

Barcelona has agreed to pay 75 million euros to De Jong this summer, in January, even before Ajax rejects Real Madrid and Juventus out of the Champions League.

Koeman's men have already shown their abilities by eliminating the world champions, France and Germany, to make the League of Nations the last of the teams.

"In recent years, yes, it's the best generation, but they're just getting started," added Koeman. "We are on the right track to return where we would like to stay as a country."

Koeman played when the Netherlands won their only major tournament at the European Championships in 1988. He insists that the success of the League of Nations is not up to par from this feat, it would send a strong signal that the Dutch are back.

"It's the League of Nations, it's not a euro, it's not a world championship," he added. "Winning the League of Nations is important, but you can not compare."