In the spotlight:
Holland failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018, which caused a big change of attitude for the Orange.
Ronald Koeman came to the position of coach, began to stabilize the ranks, gave a chance to the younger generation - and things started to look much better.
Later Koeman left for Barcelona to fulfill his dream of coaching the Catalans, in whose media he also played, Louis van Gaal once again returned to stand on the lines and continued what his predecessor did, only that, unlike his friend, he brought with him his special character.
The veteran coach, who will leave after the World Cup (Koeman will return to the position again) and declared a few months ago that he had cancer, knows that he and his apprentices have to finish in first place.
Holland presents a very talented squad, does not boast of huge names except for Virgil van Dijk, but with players like Frankie de Jong, Matthijs de Licht, Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simmons, who is finally realizing his potential, they can still go far.
In three of the last four World Cups in which the Netherlands participated, it reached the semi-finals, and together with the orange crowd that always accompanies it, it can once again bring a lot of happiness to the spectators in general and to its fans in particular.
Mana.
He arrives injured but will do anything to help his friends, photo: AFP
On the sidelines:
In the previous World Cup, no African team was able to qualify for the round of 16, a figure that could change this time, and Senegal, bursting with potential, can pay great respect to the black continent.
The "Lions" were crowned African champions for the first time last February after defeating Egypt in the final, and they are on great momentum.
Their confidence is great - which causes expectations for the country to work wonders in order to recreate even the big surprise from South Korea and Japan in 2002. Elio Sissa, who was the captain at the time, is now standing on the lines and has managed to build a balanced team that can stand tactically even against the Europeans who are always considered superior in this aspect.
The big problem is that Sadio Mane - the central man of course in the attack - is injured, and was called up even though it is not certain that he will be able to play, which is a big blow.
In the center of the field there is a sense of power thanks to the Premier League players: Namfelis Mendy (Leicester), Papa Matar Sarr (Tottenham) and Idrissa Gay (Everton).
Assuming there are no surprises:
Holland is expected to finish in first place if it does not suffer from self-destruction, which sometimes characterizes it throughout history, when Senegal is also stronger on paper than Ecuador and Qatar.
Although the host will get a local push, it does not have the sufficient ability and experience to cause a big surprise.
The South Americans aren't high enough either, but the feeling is still that the second place will be decided in a fight between Senegal and Ecuador.
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