Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (2024)

Table of Contents
Summary Live Reporting That's all from uspublished at 17:00 10 July17:00 10 July Pre-match readingpublished at 16:57 10 July16:57 10 July Saka's hometown rallies behind England's star boypublished at 16:54 10 July16:54 10 July 'Orange fever sweeps The Hague'published at 16:51 10 July16:51 10 July The Dutch in Dortmundpublished at 16:48 10 July16:48 10 July 'My role isn't just scoring goals'published at 16:45 10 July16:45 10 July 'Strap yourself in' - England's rollercoaster ride to Euro 2024 semi-finalpublished at 16:42 10 July16:42 10 July Orange everywhere in Dortmundpublished at 16:38 10 July16:38 10 July 'Ref stopped my usual penalty process' - Pickfordpublished at 16:35 10 July16:35 10 July Southgate on penalties: 'We continue to learn and revise our processes'published at 16:29 10 July16:29 10 July England v Netherlands head-to-head statspublished at 16:24 10 July16:24 10 July Aussie fans' first Euros in Europe: 'Don't stuff it again!'published at 16:20 10 July16:20 10 July Why are there so many Netherlands fans?published at 16:13 10 July16:13 10 July Rivals fans in Liverpool united for Englandpublished at 16:04 10 July16:04 10 July Spot the England fans 'in a sea of orange'published at 15:58 10 July15:58 10 July The Dutch Dominate Dortmundpublished at 15:55 10 July15:55 10 July Postpublished at 15:51 10 July15:51 10 July 'I will have perhaps another cup of tea tonight and enjoy the win'published at 15:50 10 July15:50 10 July Watch highlights of England 4-1 Netherlands from Euro 1996published at 15:45 10 July15:45 10 July Postpublished at 15:43 10 July15:43 10 July
  • Live Reporting (active)
  • Scores
  • Tables

Summary

  • Build-up: Latest England news before semi-final vs Netherlands (20:00 BST)

  • WATCH: Highlights of England's 4-1 win over Netherlands from Euro '96

  • Manager Gareth Southgate admits "expectation" and "noise" had inhibited England in early stages of Euro 2024.

  • Reaction: Spain beat France 2-1 to reach Euro 2024 final on Sunday

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Live Reporting

Craig Nelson, Jonty Colman & Martin Dougan

  1. Pre-match readingpublished at 16:57 10 July

    16:57 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Want to get in the mood for tonight's semi-final in Dortmund.

    Here is a full comprehensive list for all of our pre-match offerings to enjoy!

  2. Saka's hometown rallies behind England's star boypublished at 16:54 10 July

    16:54 10 July

    Jared Evitts
    BBC Newsbeat, reporting from west London

    I'm in Greenford in Ealing, home of England's star boy Bukayo Saka - and unsurprisingly, you don't have to go far to find a fan.

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (1)

    "He's such a light, he's such an inspiration," resident Daniel Bailey tells me.

    "My son goes to the same school he would have been to and they're celebrating him every day.

    "And every day - even though I'm a massive Liverpool fan - my son will always come back and talk about Saka."

    He says it's been "absolutely amazing" for the town to have a local on the world stage and resident Makeda Burton agrees.

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (2)

    "He's such an inspiration for the kids," she says. "For everyone, really.

    "It just goes to show how the youngsters of today can be resilient, how they can be mature and take pressure on the chin, and just get it done."

  3. 'Orange fever sweeps The Hague'published at 16:51 10 July

    16:51 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Anna Holligan
    Reporting from The Hague

    Herein The Hague you just can't stop the Euros from seeping into your life.

    Flashes of distinctiveorange accost you everywhere; banners on homes, children cycling to school,flags flying from fruit stalls. orange fever has well and truly swept acrossthe border.

    Like many bars showingthe game, the Van Kinsbergen Gastropub has stopped taking bookings such is thedemand to witness what promises to be a legacy defining game.

  4. The Dutch in Dortmundpublished at 16:48 10 July

    16:48 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Netherlands

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (3)Image source, PA Media

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (4)Image source, PA Media

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (5)Image source, Reuters

  5. 'My role isn't just scoring goals'published at 16:45 10 July

    16:45 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    England

    England captain Harry Kane has also responded to the concerns shown by many supporters and pundits alike regarding how deep Kane is positioned during matches.

    "It's something I've got used to throughout my career," he replied.

    "If you look over the last couple of major tournaments, there's always been at some stage question marks over my fitness or my form.

    "I always say I want to score in every game, I want to try and help the team in every game from that sense, but also my role isn't just scoring goals. My role is a lot of work defensively, a lot of work without the ball, a lot of work in leadership."

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (6)Image source, Getty Images

  6. 'Strap yourself in' - England's rollercoaster ride to Euro 2024 semi-finalpublished at 16:42 10 July

    16:42 10 July

    How England reach Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final

    To get yourself into the mood for tonight's semi-final, have a watch back through England's journey so far.

  7. Orange everywhere in Dortmundpublished at 16:38 10 July

    16:38 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer in Dortmund

    There is a wave of orange heading towards the Westfalenstadion ahead of tonight's Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Netherlands.

    Traffic is already heavy around the stadium, an overwhelming number packed with Dutch fans who have made the journey by road.

    And orange shirts are making a splash of colour more than three hours before kick-off. England fans are also in evidence but they are currently heavily outnumbered.

    There will be some atmosphere in here tonight - and already some very heavy clouds overhead.

  8. 'Ref stopped my usual penalty process' - Pickfordpublished at 16:35 10 July

    16:35 10 July

    After the Switzerland quarter-final shootout win, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said the referee "stopped" his "normal process" of delaying tactics - including handing the ball to his team-mates - by threatening to give him a yellow card.

    Watch his interview with BBC Sport's Kelly Somers below, before Wednesday's semi-final against Netherlands.

  9. Southgate on penalties: 'We continue to learn and revise our processes'published at 16:29 10 July

    16:29 10 July

    England manager Southgate spoke to BBC Sport's Kelly Somers on Tuesday about the level of detail that goes into a successful penalty shoot-out.

    He said England have continued to "learn" and "refine" their processes over the years to feel "a lot of control".

  10. England v Netherlands head-to-head statspublished at 16:24 10 July

    16:24 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    There havebeen 32 international matches between Netherlands and England. The Dutch wonnine, the English 13 with 10 draws. Of those 32 fixtures, 10 are classed asunofficial by the English FA - the first eight matches (1907-1913, sevenEngland wins and one Netherlands victory) and fixtures in 1952 (draw) and 1954(Netherlands win).

    Netherlandsand England met twice at the European Championships. Oranje beat the ThreeLions 3-1 in Düsseldorf in the EURO 1988 group stage on 15 June 1988, thanks toa hat-trick by Marco van Basten (44', 72', 76'). Bryan Robson (54') scored forthe English, who hit the post twice before the Dutch opened the scoring. RonaldKoeman and his brother Erwin Koeman played for Oranje in this match.

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (7)Image source, Getty Images

  11. Aussie fans' first Euros in Europe: 'Don't stuff it again!'published at 16:20 10 July

    16:20 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Jared Evitts
    BBC Newsbeat, reporting from Wembley

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (8)

    They might call it soccer rather than football and for Australian fans Zac Lassey and Pat Johnston that might not be the only thing dividing us ahead of kick off.

    "I want the Netherlands to win," says Pat, acknowledging "it might not end too well" for him to say that - not just because he's standing outside Wembley but because Zac is proudly sporting his England shirt.

    It's the first time the duo from Melbourne have visited Europe but they've made the most of it, watching in Germany when the Netherlands took on Austria and Spain played Georgia before heading to London.

    As they get ready to watch the game, they have one thing to say to the Three Lions: "Don't stuff it again!"

  12. Why are there so many Netherlands fans?published at 16:13 10 July

    16:13 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Jess Parker
    BBC News in Dortmund

    The number of Netherlands fans was expected to be highdue, in part, to the fact that Dortmund in west Germany is just a short driveaway.

    But their huge presence - estimated at between 80,000 and 100,000 - has perhaps surpassed expectations.

    Talking toDutch fans they say it’s down, in part, to geography. But combined with that istoday’s good weather plus the start of school of holidays. And, of course, thesignificance of the match itself. The Netherlands hasn’t reached a Euro’s semifinal in 20 years.

    Theaward for sharpest Dutch dressers so far might have to go to brothers Tim &Niels.

    They are avid fans of the Netherlands national teams and have turnedup at games in this attire before.

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (9)

  13. Rivals fans in Liverpool united for Englandpublished at 16:04 10 July

    16:04 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Elizabeth Conway
    BBC Newsbeat sports reporter in Liverpool

    Excitement is building here in Liverpool and Newsbeat is talking to fans about footballers who know this city.

    Lewis, 27, is a huge Liverpool fan and hopes to see Trent Alexander- Arnold get on the pitch tonight.

    He said: "Virgil Van Dijk is arguably one of the best defenders in the world and Cody Gapko has been unbelievable for the Netherlands. That’s the big worry for me."

    Chloe, 24, supports Everton and can’t wait to see Jordan Pickford play.

    She says she’s not threatened by Netherland’s manager Ronald Koeman as "he did nothing at Everton".

    Normally, Chloe and Lewis would be footballing rivals, but not today.

    - Listen to Newsbeat's Euro 2024 semi-final special on BBC Radio 1 from 17:45 BST

  14. Spot the England fans 'in a sea of orange'published at 15:58 10 July

    15:58 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Jess Parker
    BBC News in Dortmund

    Ifind fans Marc, Charlie and Neal amidst a sea of orange in Dortmund citycentre.

    Despite England supporters being heavily outnumbered by the Dutch onthe streets, the atmosphere is still “awesome” and the Dutch fans are “reallyfriendly”, they tell me.

    And the trio have hope - predicting a win for the Three Lions tonight - despiterecent underwhelming performances.

    England will, “stink out the entirecompetition” they declare! And they’ve got hotel rooms already booked for thefinal in Berlin.

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (10)

  15. The Dutch Dominate Dortmundpublished at 15:55 10 July

    15:55 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Nesta McGregor
    BBC Sport in Dortmund, Germany

    Granted it’s what we’re paid to do but it’s hard to describe the scenes in here.

    A sea of colour, wave after wave of orange.

    An estimated 80,000 Netherlands supporters were expected - we may need a recount.

    We’re currently outside a hotel where the famous Orange Bus is orchestrating the masses. Music pumps from loud speakers, former captain Wesley Sneijder stands on top of the double decker vehicle - assuming the role of conductor.

    We haven’t moved in 10 or so minutes. Impossible to even see a way back out to the calm. The hotel we’re leant up against the windows are shaking.

    Even some English fans watch on in awe. One telling us “we just had to see this.”

    It’s likely we’ll need Lamine Yamal type footwork to make it happen…advantage The Netherlands.

    - Click on the social media post below to see Nesta's video footage of the Dutch fans in Dortmund

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (11)Image source, Getty Images

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  16. Postpublished at 15:51 10 July

    15:51 10 July

    Well that was a fun trip down memory lane looking back at England's 4-1 win over the Netherlands at Euro 1996.

    Let's now turn our attention back on to tonight's semi-final in Dortmund.

  17. 'I will have perhaps another cup of tea tonight and enjoy the win'published at 15:50 10 July

    15:50 10 July

    FT: Netherlands 1-4 England (1996)

    "There was very little that didn't please me", said England manager Terry Venables, who praised his team's movement and teamwork after their 4-1 victory over the Netherlands at Euro 96.

    He added: "I have said for a long while that if we do the things right we are better than perhaps we think we are.

    "In saying all of that it doesn't make us a great team. It takes us into the quarter-finals and I will have perhaps another cup of tea tonight and enjoy the win and tomorrow we have got to get back to business."

    He gave a wry smile when he mentioned a celebratory "cup of tea".

    Well we can all now raise our brews to Terry - despite what he said, he did produce a great team.

    Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (12)Image source, BBC Sport

  18. Watch highlights of England 4-1 Netherlands from Euro 1996published at 15:45 10 July

    15:45 10 July

    FT: Netherlands 1-4 England (1996)

    This was the last time the two countries have played each other in a major tournament.

    We think we can work out what generation you are from how well you remember this game:

    1. "Shouldn't have conceded a sloppy consolation" = Baby Boomer

    2. "One of the greatest England performances ever" = Generation X

    3. "I've seen the Sheringham to Shearer goal on YouTube highlights" = Millennials

    4. "So that pundit Shearer was actually pretty good!" = Generation Z

  19. Postpublished at 15:43 10 July

    15:43 10 July

    FT: Netherlands 1-4 England (1996)

    As Barry Davies announced the attendance of more than 76,000, he remarked: "It is one of those occasions where people will look back on and say 'I was happy I was there'."

    I wonder if he could have imagined we would still be reminiscing about, listening to his commentary and reliving the scenes all of these years later?

Euro 2024: Relive the build-up to England's semi-final (2024)
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