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Holland’s Greatest Games In The UEFA European Championship

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Matthew Adams | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 1:41 PM ET

Holland has had some of the best teams in the UEFA European Championship. Whilst they have only won it once, they have usually been among the pre-tournament favorites since their soccer revival during the late 1980s. These are the best games that they have played in the Euro finals.

Holland Vs England

At Euro 1988, Holland and England were in the same group. England were among the favorites to lift the trophy, but Holland’s Van Basten was in top form at this championship. In the opening games, both teams had lost to the USSR and Ireland, so this was certainly a key game in the group stage.

In the first half of this encounter, England struck the woodwork, but it was Holland that went in front just before the interval. England equalized shortly after half-time, and the game remained level into the final 20 minutes. But then two further Marco Van Basten goals within a few minutes completed a hat-trick to ensure a 3-1 victory for Holland.

Holland Vs USSR

After their victory over England, the Netherlands advanced to their first European Championship final. At the Euro 1988 final, they played the USSR. In the first half, Holland went a goal up when the ball was headed into the back of the USSR’s net from close range.

But it was their second goal that set up a historic victory for Holland. A high lofted cross from the left was played to Marco Van Basten, and then the striker struck a magical top-spin volley over the Russian goalkeeper. It was Van Basten’s fifth goal of the championship, and by some distance the best of the five.

At 2-0, the game was almost won, but a Russian penalty still had to be saved before Holland could celebrate their first victory in a soccer final. Holland’s keeper blocked a low shot from the spot to maintain their two-goal lead until the final whistle. Then one of Holland’s great teams lifted the European Championship trophy.

Holland Vs Germany

At Euro 1992, Holland and Germany were in the same group. Holland were the European champions, but Germany were the world champions after their victory at Italia ’90. Many expected that this would be the final fixture of Euro ’92.

Holland went a goal up with a looping header within the first five minutes of the game. After half-time, Klinnsman equalized for the Germans, before Holland restored their lead. A low header within Germany’s box ensured a 3-1 win for Holland against the reigning world champions. It was a great victory in an engrossing game, but it was not repeated in the final after Holland’s semi-final defeat.

Holland Vs Yugoslavia

In a dazzling display of soccer, Holland recorded its biggest victory in a European Championship game. In this match, they took on Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals of the European Championships in the Netherlands. Marc Overmars, Patrick Kluivert, and co tore Yugoslavia apart in the second half once they had established a two-goal lead with a couple of Kluivert goals before the break.

In the second half, Holland dominated the match. One own goal and a third goal from Kluivert to wrap up the hat-trick made it 4-0 shortly after half-time. Then Overmars scored a fine volley later in the half and added another goal within the final minutes of the match. Yugoslavia scored one goal just before the match ended to leave the final scoreline Holland 6 Yugoslavia 1. There should have been more great games for Holland in this championship, but then penalty misses in the semis booked Italy’s place in the final.

End of My Holland’s Greatest Games at Euros Rant

Those were four of the best performances from the Netherlands in the European Championships. Holland showed why they’re the Dutch masters by playing some scintillating soccer in those matches. They were matches in which the Oranje lit up the UEFA European Championships.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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