The Netherlands suffered a second major injury blow inside 24 hours this morning with the news Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners will miss Euro 2024.
Koopmeiners experienced some muscle discomfort in the warm-up to last night’s friendly win over Iceland and subsequent tests have revealed the problem is significant enough for him to miss the tournament.
A post on X from the Oranje account read: “Teun Koopmeiners misses Euro 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.”
Teun Koopmeiners misses EURO 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— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 11, 2024
Another disappointment for Koeman
It is a huge setback for Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman who must also do without another midfielder from his first-choice XI, Frenkie De Jong, who was ruled out yesterday after failing to recover from an ankle injury.
De Jong was named in the squad despite making just three appearances for Barcelona since March but was forced to concede defeat in his fitness battle.
Koeman said: “The tests have shown he cannot be there.
“In the next three weeks he will not be fit enough to play at this level. It makes no sense to keep him.”
Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, who spent last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and played a key role as they reached the Champions League final, has been called up and will link up with the rest of the squad at their Wolfsburg base today.
🦁 Ian Maatsen will join Oranje’s training camp in Wolfsburg later today.
See you soon, Ian! 👊#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/K129NaIgIz
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 11, 2024
The Netherlands are in Group D and open their campaign against Poland on Sunday.