Euro 2024: Why are they called Netherlands? And other facts about England’s opponents

It’s a fixture that evokes so many memories.

England meet the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday for a place in the final of Euro 2024 (20:00 BST kick-off).

Fans of a certain vintage will recall the night at Euro ’96 when Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham, with two goals each, scored in a 4-1 win to help propel the Three Lions to the quarter-finals.

But England have suffered crushing disappointment at the hands of Dutch as well.

Marco van Basten’s hat-trick helped them to a 3-1 win at Euro ’88 in Dusseldorf, one of three defeats England suffered as they finished bottom of their group.

The Dutch have a rich football history.

Holland reached back-to-back World Cup finals, losing to West Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978.

In 2019, Dutch authorities decided to rebrand their country’s international image, with a switch from calling it ‘Holland’ to ‘The Netherlands’.

The move was part of an attempted update of its global image.

Former England defender Micah Richards, speaking to BBC Sport, said the Netherlands had players “that can hurt you” but added: “Player for player, I’d rather have the England squad than the Netherlands squad.”

BBC Sport looks at England’s semi-final opponents.