The Netherlands does not have a period of impeccable preparation for the start of qualifying for the European Championship. The Orange’s selection fell prey to a viral infection, including Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen who was sent home. Although: De Telegraaf now confirms that Wednesday dinner was the cause. More specifically the chicken curry.
The Netherlands begin their European Championship campaign on Friday night with a difficult move to France, where next week Orange will host lowly Gibraltar.
National team coach Ronald Koeman has already lost 5 internationals to a virus in the run-up to the match against France. It concerns Anderlecht’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Sven Putmann (Newcastle), Cody Jakbo (Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern) and Joey Wehrmann (PSV). The quintet was sent home.
De Telegraaf: Chicken curry kills the five oranges
This afternoon, the whole story had an eye-catching twist.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf claimed Wednesday’s dinner was the basis for many of the dropouts.
“It is no secret that Dutch players have long complained about the food they serve at the Woudschoten Hotel in Zeist,” the newspaper wrote.
More specifically, the chicken curry would have displeased those involved.
De Telegraaf continues: “It seems strange that five players fell ill and the rest of the international players did not.” Not everyone ate chicken curry.
With the goal of Orange’s first match in the European Championship qualifiers against France, Koeman called up 3 substitutes: Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich), Kjell Sherpen (Vitesse) and Stefan de Vrij (Inter).
Gravenberch and Scherpen are at a training camp in Spain with the Little Dutchmen and will join the group in Paris. De Vrij also joins the selection in Paris, which then consists of 23 players. After the match against France, the selection combination will be reviewed.
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