‘Stars did not deliver’: Dutch press weigh in on shock exit

Defeat by the Czech Republic has led to calls for Frank de Boer to depart and criticism of the players, tactics and substitutions

DOWN AND OUT: Netherlands' manager Frank de Boer, Holds his head after their surprise Euro 2020 exit to the Czech Republic in Budapest on Sunday.

THE Dutch newspapers and football websites had a clear picture of where a glorious Sunday was heading. After Max Verstappen won the Styrian Grand Prix and Mathieu van der Poel took the Tour de France yellow jersey, it was time for the next Dutch Ms to shine.

Memphis, Marten, Maarten, Matthijs, Malen and the other Dutch footballers “only” had to beat the Czech Republic. A stopover en route to a semi-final against England or Germany, it was considered in the Netherlands, after, in terms of result, the Oranje had rolled smoothly through the group stage.