The Netherlands' preparations for their Euro 2024 semifinal match against England hit a snag on Tuesday as they encountered travel disruptions en route to the host city of Dortmund. The Dutch national team had originally planned to take a train from Wolfsburg to Dortmund, but their travel plans were thwarted when a 'blockage' on a German train line led to the cancellation of their scheduled service.
As a result of the train cancellation, the team was compelled to make alternative arrangements and opted to fly to Dortmund instead of taking the train. This unexpected change in travel logistics forced the Netherlands to cancel their prematch news conference at Westfalenstadion, where coach Ronald Koeman and defender Nathan Aké were scheduled to address the media.
UEFA issued a statement acknowledging the travel disruption faced by the Netherlands team, which significantly delayed their arrival in Dortmund and consequently led to the cancellation of the press conference. UEFA assured that footage from an interview with the head coach would be made available on the UEFA media channel later in the day.
Reports from Dutch media indicated that the players and staff were caught off guard by the train service issues while waiting on the platform. The travel disruptions were exacerbated by the unusually warm temperatures experienced in Germany on Tuesday, adding to the challenges faced by the Dutch team ahead of their crucial semifinal clash against England.
Despite the travel setbacks, it is customary for members of the team to take a walk on the field the day before a game at Euro 2024, as they seek to maintain their focus and preparation amidst the unexpected hurdles encountered during their journey to Dortmund.
