As Euro 2024 approaches, the anticipation surrounding the tournament is palpable, with players and fans alike eagerly awaiting the spectacle.
Among those gearing up for the competition is Virgil van Dijk, who has disclosed his target for the upcoming tournament as he leads the Netherlands.
The Liverpool captain missed Euro 2020 three years ago due to injury.
However, he will lead his country in Germany this summer, as Oranje prepare to face Poland, France, and Austria in Group D.
The Netherlands famously missed out on qualification for Euro 2016, but they made a strong appearance in the 2020 edition of the tournament.
They reached the round of 16 and later advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Despite not being widely touted as potential champions for Euro 2024, the Dutch team hold a rich history in the competition, having secured victory in 1988 and reaching the semi-finals on three other occasions.
Ronald Koeman’s side have won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
They secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Canada in a recent friendly, indicating they are in strong form heading into the European Championship.
The Netherlands will head into the Euros buoyed by their commanding 4-0 victory over Canada on Thursday.
Speaking to UEFA.com about the pre-tournament preparations in the Dutch camp, Van Dijk said: “You’re constantly working together to get everything ready down to the last detail, every day with meetings, in training, tactically, to ensure that we are all on the same page.
“You play for the Oranje, the highest honour you can have as a player.
“You are going to play in a major tournament and represent your country.
“You have to enjoy it, above all, even in the difficult moments, which will certainly be there.”
“As captain, I am also the extension of the coach,” he added.
“I know that’s my role, and I’m happy about it, and it suits me. As captain, you know that all eyes are on you, but I have got used to that, and it’s something I enjoy.
“I observe a lot. I naturally look at how everyone behaves, and if someone is in a difficult phase or has lower confidence, you try to act on that too.
“Ultimately, it’s about everyone being involved as a group, and the success we achieve is a collective one, with no-one left behind or feeling excluded.
“Everything we achieve positively, we do together – the 11 players on the field, but also the rest of the guys and the staff.
“Everyone is involved, from the equipment managers to the chefs and the players on the bench.”
“Difficult team, good players,” Van Dijk said of the Netherlands’ first opposition.
“I know for sure there will be plenty of Polish fans there to make things difficult for us.
“We really need the Dutch fans for that game, but the first group game at the Euros is always difficult.
“We will be working very hard over the coming days and weeks to make sure we are all ready. If you win the first game it’s a big step to the next round but, of course, we have a real fight ahead of us.”
And when summing up his targets for the summer, the centre-back stated: “Winning matches and going as far as possible – that’s really very much on my mind right now.
“Winning matches, fighting as a group, as a team, as a country, together, building with each other.
“And I’m really looking forward to it, for sure.”
