October 14 – Next summer’s Euro 2016 finals will be conspicuous by the absence of the orange army after the Netherlands, World Cup semi-finalists only 15 months ago, failed to even make the playoffs.
On the final night of regular group qualifiers, the Dutch needed to beat the Czech Republic and for Iceland to beat Turkey but lost 3-2 and saw the Turks sneak home 1-0 in their group.
Turkey had Gokhan Tore dismissed in the 78th minute as their match appeared to be heading for a draw, but Selcuk Inan’s last-minute goal saw them claim a dramatic victory.
That result means Turkey qualify automatically as the highest ranked third-placed team out of all nine qualifying groups.
Ukraine and Norway both finished third in their respective groups and had more points than Turkey. But results against the sides finishing bottom in their respective groups do not count – leaving Turkey with the most points.
After the appalling death toll as a result of the recent suicide bombing in Ankara, Turkey coach Fatih Terim commented: “As a country we really needed this win to feel happy, even for a few hours maybe. We are so happy to have offered some happiness to our people.”
Netherlands coach Danny Blind, who took over in July, lost three of his four matches in charge but says he has “no intention” of stepping down. “I’m going to carry on with my work because I’m under contract until 2018 and I believe in this team,” Blind said.
But next summer’s tournament will be all the poorer without the Dutch who finished third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, were crowned European champions in 1988 and were third in 1992, 2000 and 2004. The last time they failed to qualify for a major tournament was the 2002 World Cup.
Croatia squeezed directly into Euro 2016 with a 1-0 away win over Malta which enabled them to finish as Group H runners-up, ahead of third-placed Norway, after a turbulent qualifying campaign.
Ivan Perisic scored a 25th-minute winner to lift the Croatians above Norway who conceded two second-half goals in a 2-1 defeat at group winners Italy and have to be content with a playoff place.
Croatia were deducted a point by UEFA for a bizarre incident during their 1-1 home draw with Italy in June. Croatian fans used a chemical agent to imprint a swastika on the pitch days before the fixture in Split’s Poljud stadium which became visible during the match, played behind closed doors because of a previous incident of racism.
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