The Dutch are hoping for a good final result at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship that will start on June 10, comparable to their achievements at the UEFA EURO 2000™ and the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Well-known date

The first time may be luck; the second time perhaps by chance; but the third time brings fate. The Netherlands have already hosted three major tournaments since the turn of the millennium, and each time these finals started on June 10. The group stage will last until June 17. The matches of Group A will be played in Heerenveen and Groningen, while Arnhem and Nijmegen will host the matches of Group B.

Semi-finals

The winners and runners-up of each group qualify directly for the semi-finals to be played at Gelredome and Abe Lenstra Stadium on June 20. The final has been scheduled three days later at Euroborg in Groningen. Should England win through to the semi-finals, there will be a play-off match between the two third-placed teams on June 21 to determine who will participate at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games.