12 June 2024 , 08:34
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The Netherlands' Euro 2024 dreams went from bruised to a "nightmare" after Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners became the latest player forced to pull out of the squad due to injury.
Koopmeiners, 26, sustained a groin injury before his country’s final warm-up match against Iceland in Rotterdam, the Dutch FA announced on Tuesday. Further tests confirmed that will be unfit for the summer's tournament.
The injury is an additional blow to the Dutch midfield after coach Ronald Koeman confirmed on Monday that Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong had been culled from the squad after failing to regain full fitness following an ankle injury.
The 27-year-old sustained the injury during late April's El Clasico clash against Real Madrid and was forced to miss the last six matches of Barcelona's season, leaving De Jong too far behind the requisite fitness standards.
Koeman criticised the Spanish club for "taking risks" with De Jong given his medical record with his right ankle as he called up versatile Borussia Dortmund defender Ian Maatsen.
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And Koeman will now have to navigate further midfield woes with Koopmeiners also forced to withdraw from the squad. According to Sky Sports Italia, the injury is understood not to be too serious but will rule him out of competitive football for the next month, meaning he cannot compete in Germany this summer.
“What should have been a wonderful month has unfortunately turned into a nightmare,” Koopmeiners wrote in an impassioned post on Instagram.
“With great disappointment and sadness, I heard the results of the tests. Unfortunately, they found I have no possibility of participating in the European Championship 2024.
Frenkie de Jong has had to pull out of the Netherlands squad (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)“Playing for the Dutch team at a finals tournament and with such a great squad would have been a great honour. From now on, like the rest of the Oranje fans, I will encourage and support the team on their way to a great tournament!”
Koopmeiners was an integral part of the Atalanta side which laid claim to the Europa League trophy, knocking Liverpool out of Europe and ending Xabi Alonso's pursuit of an unprecedented invincible season in the process.
The midfielder's exploits have seen him linked with a potential move to Juventus, while Premier League sides Liverpool and Manchester United are both reportedly interested in what the Dutchman can offer - though any considerations will now have to be made without Koopmeiners featuring this summer.
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