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Edgar Chaput
Netherlands vs. Turkey: Euro 2024 Quarterfinal Odds, Prediction
Most would agree that seeing the Netherlands access the quarterfinal stage of Euro 2024 is not very surprising. They may not have brought a perfectly balanced squad to the proceedings, but they’re always a good squad. The surprise here is Turkey, a nation that consistently produces solid players but rarely makes for a great national squad. Amidst some controversy, they have played more than well enough to be one of the final eight sides left standing.
Our Euro 2024 odds view the Oranje as heavy favourites, pricing them at -160 for the win, whereas the Cresent Stars are +425. A draw, which would require extra time, is +300.
Netherlands vs. Turkey Betting Odds
One might be tempted to think that the Netherlands would historically have the upper hand over their Turkish rivals. While that is technically true, the results have been difficult to come by. In 14 head-to-head meetings, the Netherlands are 6-4-4 (win-draw-loss) and have only once in the past four encounters. Turkey demolished their opponents 4-2 in a World Cup qualifying match in 2021, although the Dutch responded with a 6-1 win later that same year.
The story of the Netherlands at international competitions is a story of “close but not good enough.” Their only victory at any level was the 1988 Euro. They were quarter-finalists in 1996 and 2008, and semi-finalists in 1992, 2000, and 2004. In 2021 (Euro 2020) they were bounced out in the Round of 16 by Czechia 2-0.
In contrast, Turkey doesn’t have a ton of experience at this level. They failed to make it out of the group stage in 2016 and 2020, so this current generation of national players is inviting the country to live massive highs vicariously for the first time in a while. 2008 was the last time a national squad made headway in the knockout rounds when they fell to Germany 3-2 in the semi-final.
Netherlands
For the first time since Euro 2024 began, the Oranje finally resembled the threat they can be in the Round of 16 versus Romania.
With all due respect to Romania, who deservedly had a spot in the knockout phase after winning its group, they were no match for the Netherlands. It was wave, after wave, after wave of Dutch attacking. Frankly, the final 3-0 score almost flattered Romania. Cody Gakpo is having his second consecutive brilliant major tournament after Qatar 2022. He scored a sensational opening goal in the 20th minute. From that point onward, Ronald Koeman’s men threatened to double their advantage what seemed like a dozen times (23 shot attempts). Xavi Simons showed he has plenty of skills but unfortunately lacked a finishing touch. Memphis Depay’s finishing was also found wanting on a few occasions.
Gakpo would come to the rescue, not with a second goal, but with a brilliant individual effort along the Romanian touchline and eventually slipped a pass to Donyell Malen, who tapped the ball into a gaping net (83rd). Malen would strike again at 90+3 to make it a 3-0 final.
Turkey
If there was another Round of 16 tilt that rivalled the ebbs and flows of Portugal versus. Slovenia, it was Turkey versus Austria.
The fireworks began in the first minute when the ball pinballed in the Austrian box off a Turkish corner. Merih Demiral pounced on the loose ball and rocketed it into the net. Things got wild after that. Austria pushed like mad for long stretches but could not find a finishing touch. A fifth-minute corner of their own somehow refused to go into the net amidst confusion in the Turkish box. The nail in the coffin came in the 59th minute when Demiral scored a thumping header off yet another corner.
The final 30 minutes were tension-filled action. The Austrian got one back through Michael Gregoritsch in the 66thand Turkish keeper Mert Gunok made a sensational, out-stretched hand save in added time to preserve a 2-1 win.
