As the Netherlands chase laurel and Italy pursue a redemption
Down to the final four
By Edwin Emeanua (Editor)
UEFA finalized its Nations League semi-finals pairing with Croatia lined up against the Netherlands on June 14th and Spain engaging Italy the next day.
The four national teams are set to resume international football after coming out victorious in their separate League A lots in 2022 and after competing in Qatar at the FIFA World Cup some weeks ago.
The Nations League semi-finals will occur in the Netherlands, at the Feijenoord Stadion in Rotterdam, and in Enschede, at the FC Twente Stadion.
Holland will attempt another shot at the title, this time on home soil after falling flat in 2019, losing to Portugal.
The FC Barcelona footballers spattered Spanish side, and many other La Liga stars will be displayed at the tournament.
The new coach of Spain’s national team, Luis de la Fuente, could feature the likes of Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, and left-back Alejandro Balde in his arsenal in Holland.
Newly appointed coach Ronald Koeman and his Dutch national side have their work cut out for them as they take upon the consistently formidable Luka Modrić’s Croatia, a team that is further boosted in confidence by their third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup.
Croatia’s team could include Josko Gvardio and talismanic midfielder Modric, who are again likely to pose man of the match performances like they did during the FIFA World Cup finals.
Modric is consistently the glue that holds together Croatia’s golden generation and is accepted as one of the most outstanding midfielders of all ages and the greatest footballer from Croatia.
Italy will pursue redemption following their dismal third-place finish in 2021 and absence at the 2022 World Cup.
