Alternative Netherlands Euro 2024 team: Van Barneveld pulling the strings in midfield, Van Gerwen leading the line

After we brought you a potential England Euro 2024 xi based solely on the nations top darters, this time around it's the turn of the Netherlands.

Unlike the English, the Netherlands have tournament winning history at the European Championship. The men in orange won the 1988 edition of the Euros in West Germany, defeating the Soviet Union 2-0 in the final at the Olympiastadion in Munich, thanks to goals by Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten either side of half time. At Euro 2024, the Netherlands needed a late winner from a man known well to Burnley and Manchester United fans, Wout Weghorst, to secure a 2-1 win over Poland.

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But how would a Dutch darters xi lineup on the football pitch? Starting from the back, Dirk van Duijvenbode gets the nod in goal. The Aubergenius has proven time and time again during his walk on that he has the agility and fast reactions in his arms needed to be a goalie. Then, it's height at the back at Vincent van der Voort and Mike Kuivenhoven operate as an old fashioned, no nonsense centre half pairing, with lefty Niels Zonneveld at left back and Kevin Doets as the opposite fullback.

Operating with a five in midfield, Danny Noppert and Jeffrey De Zwaan can sit in front of the defence, allowing Raymond van Barneveld to work that silky touch he's known for to pull the strings of the attack. Michael van Gerwen, who else leads the line up top, imagine him putting himself about like a Dutch Alan Shearer, with the jobs of hot prospect Gian van Veen and the rapid Jermaine Wattimena to feed MVG crosses. As for the manager organising things on the sidelines, Co Stompe perhaps? Roland Scholten?

Take a look at the 4-2-3-1 set up for yourself down below!

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