So the Orange Army line the freeways that lead to Dortmund…the same road that lines the path for Gareth Southgate’s England tonight.
I know this as my mate Rob is currently travelling the autobahns that concrete their way to the much celebrated Signal Iduna Park.
Certified bucket-listed for most sporting fans.
Robs on the road to Dortmund
But for England and Southgate this is business and a sturdy test arrives tonight in the form of a Dutch side in good form. Followed heavily by a slightly different to usual support signifying the home terraces so splendidly. Yes, instead of the yellowish hue of Club Dortmund, tonight we’ll be treated to an absolute sea of Oranje.
Die gelbe Wand will become De oranje Muur.
What do we know of this Orange Wall and its army of supporters.
Supported heavily in all major competitions the Netherlands are never truly far away from the colour Orange. Steeped in historic and royal tradition it is a colour generated from milestones and battles that shape a nation closely knitted between Belgium and Germany, this making the short trip to Dortmund literally a coach journey away.
If a home game could be determined favourable in a European competition, then this is it.
Line up against England in the Quarter Final
The Dutch have quality running deep through this team, with experienced centre back pairing of Van Dijk and De Vrij accompanied on either flank by Dumfries and Ake. The midfield occupied by an impressive Tijjani Reijnders of Ac Milan and the impactful Xavi Simons of PSG. Leaving the experienced Memphis Depay the perfect foil for Cody Gakpo of Liverpool.
On their day and on paper it all looks pretty devastating.
But this Euro’s which started as a rolling ball of fire has almost petered-out with lacklustre performances coming from the titans of world football. The dejected face of a certain Kylian Mbappe sums up the knock-out stages of this tournament perfectly. Glum, forlorn and a little bit flat.
A forlorn Mbappe having captained France to a Quarter Final defeat against Spain
Tonight these two old friends and foes have the opportunity to put on a show-stopping performance for the world to rejoice in. We’ve seen good moments from this Dutch team which will encourage its loyal supporters clad in Oranje but we still await a morsel of potential from our England team.
Could tonight bring out the best in our team and this squad? Could the smouldering embers of De Oranje Muur provoke an all-out blaze of glory for the three lions.
You can’t start a fire without a spark…
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