Euro chances of Jong the Oranje hang on Israel after Norway stalemate

After a 0‑0 draw against Norway, Jong the Oranje has lost direct qualification for the European Championship; now participation depends on the outcome of Israel’s match against Bosnia & Herzegovina. The disappointment was clearly visible on the three young players who walked off disappointed after the game.

Goalless duel

The match was characterised by a low tempo and few chances, despite the Dutch talents often being in possession. In the first half Devin Haen had the best opportunity when a through ball from Dave Kwakman brought him near the Norwegian goalkeeper Martin Börsheim, but he could not get the ball onto the post. Gjivai Zechiël, who, like in Stavanger, appeared at kickoff, also could not make a decisive action.

The lineup featured a few notable changes: Bernt Klaverboer was in goal, Givairo Read wore the armband as captain, and the central duo consisted of Dies Janse and Thijmen Blokzijl instead of the usual Wouter Goes. Rav van den Berg and Devin Haen were deployed as forwards, with Haen getting the most opportunities to shoot.

Qualification in doubt

Coach Michael Reiziger emphasised earlier this week: “The message is very clear, we have a second chance. Then we must from now on grab every opponent by the throat and barrel over them.” After the goalless result that second chance now depends on Israel’s performance.

The team now has a fifth points loss in six qualification matches and has only one win, leaving it in a disgraceful fourth place in the final week of qualification. A win against Norway was needed to push Bosnia & Herzegovina and Israel aside for the second place, which in November grants a spot in the play‑offs.

The next two matches against Bosnia & Herzegovina remain crucial, but even with a double victory Jong the Oranje is dependent on an Israeli win to reach the play‑offs. The play‑offs are a two‑leg tie in which another ticket for the European Championship can still be earned.

The disappointment recalls the defeat in March, when Jong the Oranje lost a 1‑2 lead and thereby missed the direct European Championship ticket. Half a year later the squad looked different with eight new spots, but the pattern of missed chances persisted.

Johan Inan reported that tension in the group is rising and that Reiziger, who recently applied in vain for the position of national team coach of the Dutch side, now needs a small miracle to save qualification. “We cannot base ourselves on that alone. The results were not good, but we must not give that away any more,” Reiziger said.