Netherlands national under-21 football team
 | |||
| Nickname(s) | Jong Oranje (Young Orange) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond | ||
| Head coach | Erwin van de Looi | ||
| Captain | Teun Koopmeiners | ||
| Most caps | Arnold Bruggink & Leroy Fer (31) | ||
| Top scorer | Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (18) | ||
| Home stadium | De Vijverberg (12,600) | ||
| |||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
| Appearances | 6 (first in 1988) | ||
| Best result | Winner (2006, 2007) | ||
The Netherlands national under-21 football team is the national under-21 team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Championship, held every two years.
Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Dutch Under-21 team was formed. The team did not have a very good record, failing to qualify for nine of the fifteen tournaments. The team did not enter for the 1978 competition, but since then has reached the semi-finals twice, and qualified for the last eight on three other occasions.
Since the under-21 competition rules insist that players must be 21 or under at the start of a two-year competition, technically it is an U-23 competition. For this reason, the Netherlands' record in the preceding U-23 competitions is also shown. The first competitive match was in the "Under-23 Challenge", a match which they lost. The team qualified for the last eight of each of the three U-23 tournaments.
In 2006 the Netherlands national under-21 football team of coach Foppe de Haan won the 2006 European Under-21 Championship. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar became top scorer and player of the tournament with four goals, and also broke the all-time goalscoring record of 15 goals previously held by Roy Makaay and Arnold Jan Bruggink, in his last match with the team as he pushed this record to eighteen goals. The following year, Netherlands national under-21 football team successfully defended their title by winning the 2007 European Under-21 Championship in the final against Serbia with 4–1. Maceo Rigters was the top scorer of the competition with four goals and Royston Drenthe was the Player of the Tournament. The win meant that the Netherlands qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The team failed to qualify for the 2009 European Under-21 Championship, after losing out to Switzerland in their final qualifying match.
Competitive record
UEFA U-23 Championship record
The Netherlands were randomly chosen to play against Bulgaria for the title in a one-off match in Sofia, which the Netherlands lost.
- 17 April 1968: Bulgaria 3–1 Netherlands.
UEFA U-23 Championship Record
| UEFA U-23 Championship Record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | ||
| 1972 | Quarter-finals | ? | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | ||
| 1974 | Quarter-finals | ? | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 1976 | Semi finals | ? | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||
| Total | 0 titles | 3/3 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 11 | ||
(*) Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
UEFA U-21 Championship Record
| UEFA U-21 Championship Record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
| 1978 | did not enter | did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1980 | did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | |||||||||
| 1982 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||
| 1984 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 1986 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 1988 | Semi-finals | 3rd/4th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | — | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 5 | |
| 1990 | did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | |||||||||
| 1992 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 4 | |
| 1994 | did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 14 | |||||||||
| 1996 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 9 | ||||||||||
| 1998 | Fourth place | 4th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Squad | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 5 | |
| 2000 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Squad | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 9 | ||
| 2002 | did not qualify | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 10 | |||||||||
| 2004 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||
| 2006 | Final | Champions | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | Squad | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 7 | |
| 2007 | Final | Champions | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 | Squad | Qualified as hosts | ||||||
| 2009 | did not qualify | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 3 | |||||||||
| 2011 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 8 | ||||||||||
| 2013 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | Squad | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2015 | did not qualify | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 26 | 13 | |||||||||
| 2017 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 10 | ||||||||||
| 2019 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 21 | 6 | ||||||||||
| 2021 | Semi-finals | 4th | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | Squad | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 46 | 5 | |
| 2023 | qualified | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 3 | |||||||||
| Total | 2 titles | 8/23 | 31 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 50 | 32 | — | 178 | 104 | 33 | 41 | 391 | 151 | |
(*) Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
.svg.png.webp){kind=small}
Results and fixtures 2021–2023
2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Qualification
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |  |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} |
 |
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands |
10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 3 | +29 | 26 | Final tournament | — | 2–0 | 3–0 | 5–0 | 3–1 | 6–0 | |
| 2 | Switzerland |
10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 6 | +16 | 23 | 2–2 | — | 3–0 | 5–1 | 1–0 | 4–0 | ||
| 3 | Moldova |
10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | −5 | 12 | 0–3 | 1–1 | — | 1–0 | 0–2 | 1–0 | ||
| 4 | Wales |
10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 11 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | ||
| 5 | Bulgaria |
10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 11 | −1 | 10 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 0–4 | — | 5–0 | ||
| 6 | Gibraltar |
10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 41 | −40 | 1 | 0–7 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–7 | 1–1 | — |
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the friendly matches.[1]
- Match dates: 25 and 27 March 2023
- Opposition:
Norway and 
Czech Republic - Caps and goals correct as of: 27 September 2022, after the match against
Romania
Recent call ups
The following players have previously been called up to the Netherlands under-21 squad in the last year and remain eligible.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Kjell Scherpen | 23 January 2000 | 15 | 0 | Vitesse |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| GK | Hugo Wentges | 11 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | ADO Den Haag |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| GK | Calvin Raatsie | 9 February 2002 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Ajax |
v. Switzerland, 29 March 2022 |
| GK | Bart Verbruggen | 18 August 2002 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Anderlecht |
v. Switzerland, 29 March 2022 |
| DF | Sven Botman | 12 January 2000 | 11 | 2 |  Newcastle United |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| DF | Lutsharel Geertruida | 18 July 2000 | 4 | 0 | Feyenoord |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| DF | Devyne Rensch | 18 January 2003 | 4 | 0 | Ajax |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| DF | Sepp van den Berg | 20 December 2001 | 4 | 0 |  Schalke 04 |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| DF | Denso Kasius | 6 October 2002 | 1 | 0 |  Bologna |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| DF | Neraysho Kasanwirjo | 18 February 2002 (aged 20) | 3 | 0 | Groningen |
v. Switzerland, 29 March 2022 |
| DF | Melayro Bogarde | 28 June 2002 (aged 19) | 3 | 0 | PEC Zwolle |
v. Switzerland, 29 March 2022 |
| DF | Jeremie Frimpong | 10 December 2000 (aged 21) | 4 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
v. Bulgaria, 15 November 2021 |
| MF | Quinten Timber | 17 June 2001 | 8 | 1 | Feyenoord |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| MF | Kenneth Taylor | 16 May 2002 | 7 | 0 | Ajax |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| MF | Sven Mijnans | 9 March 2000 | 0 | 0 | Sparta Rotterdam |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| MF | Ryan Gravenberch | 15 June 2002 (aged 19) | 6 | 1 | Bayern Munich |
v. Switzerland, 29 March 2022 |
| FW | Myron Boadu | 14 January 2001 | 15 | 11 |  AS Monaco |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| FW | Brian Brobbey | 1 February 2002 | 10 | 5 | RB Leipzig |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| FW | Daishawn Redan | 2 February 2001 | 7 | 3 | Utrecht |
v. Wales, 11 June 2022 |
| FW | Thomas Buitink | 14 June 2000 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | Vitesse |
v. Switzerland, 29 March 2022 |
| FW | Fodé Fofana | 26 October 2002 (aged 19) | 1 | 0 | PSV |
v. Moldova, 7 September 2021 |
INJ Withdrew due to injury. | ||||||
Overage players in Olympic Games
| Tournament | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kew Jaliens (DF) | Gerald Sibon (FW) | Roy Makaay (FW) |
Notable players from under-21 football team
- Jo Bonfrere
- Roy Makaay
- Arnold Bruggink
- Wilfred Bouma
- Peter Wisgerhof
- Victor Sikora
- Mark van Bommel
- Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
- Dirk Kuyt
- Kenneth Vermeer
- Gijs Luirink
- Nicky Hofs
- Stijn Schaars
- Urby Emanuelson
- Romeo Castelen
- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
- Robin van Persie
- Boy Waterman
- Ron Vlaar
- Ryan Donk
- Gianni Zuiverloon
- Hedwiges Maduro
- Otman Bakkal
- Maceo Rigters
- Ryan Babel
- Royston Drenthe
- Tim Krul
- Erik Pieters
Individual all-time records
Most capped players Arnold Bruggink is the most capped player for Jong Orange.
Most goals scored Huntelaar was the Golden Player and Top Scorer at the 2006 UEFA U-21 Championship and he is the all-time top scorer for Jong Orange.
See alsoReferences
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Netherlands national under-21 football team.
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