Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Semi Final - Netherlands v England - Dortmund BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany - July 10, 2024 Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
BERLIN (Reuters) - Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman used social media on Thursday to issue a heartfelt thank you to his team and supporters after the Dutch were eliminated in the Euro 2024 semi-finals by England in Dortmund on Wednesday.
The Netherlands returned home on Thursday from their base at Wolfsburg after the 2-1 defeat with Koeman posting on X (@RonaldKoeman) a final word on the campaign in Germany.
“Our adventure came to a painful end last night in the semi-final, in a match in which our team gave everything. I am proud of this great group of players and staff, who have worked together with enormous dedication.
"The support from all Oranje fans was also unparalleled and overwhelming: wherever we went, they coloured the host cities orange. I would like to thank everyone for this wonderful trip, we showed who we are and put the Netherlands back on the map."
Koeman is staying on as coach, with the Dutch now setting their sights on the 2026 World Cup, but they first compete in the Nations League and their next matches are at home to Bosnia in Eindhoven on Sept. 7 and Germany in Amsterdam on Sept. 10.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)
