Euro 2022: 'Difficult to keep up' - Losing Vivianne Miedema not the only Netherlands issue - Inside Europe

The reigning European champions have had something of inauspicious start to the title defence at Euro 2022. A lacklustre display in their opening match against Sweden saw the Netherlands just about escape with a 1-1 draw before a 3-2 win against Portugal having initially surrendered a 2-goal lead before stealing the win. Ad/> A win in their final match with Switzerland should see them top the group, but after their triumph in 2017 and World Cup final appearance two years later, the Dutch appear to be in a period of transition, especially having lost legendary manager Sarina Wiegman to England and making the somewhat left-field appointment of Mark Parsons to replace her.

Euro 2022France star Katoto suffers knee injury, putting Euro 2022 future in doubt13 HOURS AGO Injuries and illness have also impacted their campaign so far. Eurosport Netherlands' Kevin van Nunen looks at what shape the team is in for the rest of the competition going forward. An important and encouraging victory for team spirit The win over Portugal, despite the wobble, came at a good time according to Van Nunen.

Especially considering the pre-match blow of losing star player, and arguably the best striker in the world in Vivianne Miedema with Covid. This came off the back of two significant injuries in their opening match against Sweden so the boost of three points cannot be underestimated. “To be honest it was really encouraging to score three goals in the absence of Vivianne Miedema,” he said.