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Dutch Despair as Football Giants Fail to Qualify

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Updated on December 10, 2015

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The Netherlands have failed to qualify for Euro 2016 after being defeated 3-2 by the Czech Republic in Amsterdam.

With the latest tournament format expanded to 24 teams, it was an unthinkable scenario that the 2014 World Cup semi-finalists would not be a part of the Euro Championships finals.

Many experts considered the Dutch overwhelming favourites to reach France, from a group also containing dark horses Turkey and an emergent Iceland.However, their rivals were not expected to threaten a Netherlands squad boasting superstars such as Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Memphis Depay.

The Netherlands boast a proud record in the Euro Championships (Twitter)

Despite a stuttering campaign, the real damage was done during September when the 1988 Euro winners suffered a historic home defeat by Iceland and then thrashed 3-0 in Turkey a few days later. However, an unconvincing 2-1 win against Kazakhstan gave them hope, but they needed to beat the Czech Republic this evening while hoping that Turkey lost in Iceland.

But their chances were destroyed as they found themselves 3-0 down after 66 minutes, including a horror own goal scored by their record goal-scorer Van Persie.

The Dutch scored two late goals, including a strike by Van Persie that will provide the former United marksman with a token amount of redemption.

However, this defeat still leaves the Netherlands failing to qualify for the Euro Championships for the first time since 1984.

From Amsterdam to Eindhoven there will be much soul-searching this evening, but Euro 2016 will certainly be poorer without the colourful Oranje fans brightening the tournament.

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Robbie Ackerman

Wow shock Still expected the Dutch to qualify tonight. Feel sorry for Van Persie, who is a great player going through a bad patch. But on the plus side one rival less for England.

October 13 at 9:42pm Reply | Flag

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