Netherlands' 7-0 win over Greece earns praise as Germany clash in Berlin looms

A 7-0 win that drew attention across Europe

The Netherlands beat Greece 7-0 on Friday, 13 November, in Amsterdam, and the result drew attention well beyond the Dutch press. German tabloid coverage warned Jürgen Klopp to watch out for the Dutch and called the win a goal frenzy for Germany's next opponent. Two of the seven goals were scored by Jurriën Timber, who had waited five years for his first goal for the national team. Ronald Koeman had planned to use the 25-year-old Arsenal defender in central defence ahead of the World Cup, but an injury disrupted those plans.

Timber's role and Xavi's plan

Xavi selected Timber, back from injury, in the left-back role, but the setup was more fluid than that label suggests. In practice Timber moved forward whenever the Netherlands had the ball and became an attacking midfielder. That shift allowed Frenkie de Jong to drop into the left zone and become the main playmaker, while Denzel Dumfries usually pushes forward on the other side. The idea was drawn up on Tuesday, 10 November, during the first outdoor training session in the Zeist woods. Timber said he enjoyed being free to attack, as he is at his club, although playing on the left felt unfamiliar at first.

De Jong on the flow of the game

Frenkie de Jong, who wore the captain's armband for the first time from the kickoff, described the win in terms of rhythm and understanding. He said the feeling was like a kind of flow.

“It's a kind of flow. The feeling that you understand each other.”

De Jong and Joey Veerman formed the architects of the midfield, a pairing that some critics had long said could not work together. De Jong argued that there is no such thing as too much football and that the team must now sharpen its shared vision. He played only one half against Greece and left the squad on Saturday, with Teun Koopmeiners expected to replace him against Germany.

Klopp on Oranje and the Berlin task

Klopp arrived 18 minutes late at the press room of the Olympiastadion in Berlin, held up by traffic, and then spent time complimenting the Dutch. He said the German side had analysed the Netherlands in detail.

“We made the analysis of the Netherlands and I have to say: that was certainly not bad.”

Klopp said Xavi likes to press high, a challenge Germany had already seen in the earlier 1-1 draw in Amsterdam. Germany must win in Berlin to be certain of a quarterfinal place after an erratic start under Klopp. He said the level in training was really high and gave him a lot of confidence, and all players were available at the final session on Sunday. Klopp also joked about his Adidas cap, which carries the slogan 'Einer von 83 Millionen', because his contract with the brand ends after the match.

Nations League stakes

Spain, England and Portugal have already secured a place in the quarterfinals, and the Netherlands are very likely to join them, although that is not yet certain in theory. The final group round began on Sunday, 15 November, and eight A-division teams will advance to quarterfinals that are played in spring 2027. Former Netherlands, Ajax and Barcelona player Frank de Boer said he was impressed by the Dutch side after the Ajax Legends match against Barcelona in Amsterdam.