Dutch player Blind says they are lucky with Euro knock-out opponents

Veteran Netherlands defender Daley Blind has admitted that the team has been lucky with their side of the knock-out round draw at Euro 2024 although he doesn't consider their quarter-final opponents Turkey on Saturday a push-over.

The 1988 champions finished third in their group and reached the last eight with a 3-0 victory over Romania, who like Turkey are not among the favourites.

The other quarter-final in their section is England v Switzerland while on the other side of the draw hosts Germany face Spain in a duel of record winners and France meet Portugal in another game between former winners.

"After the group stage, we were lucky in terms of opponents. We don't need to talk about that. When you see who other countries have to play against, you shouldn't deny it," Blind told reporters on Thursday at their base camp in Wolfsburg.

However, the 34-year-old added that his team has huge respect for the Turks, who beat Austria 2-1 in the last 16. That spared the Dutch another date with Austria who beat them 3-2 in the group stage.

"The Turks are very passionate and strong. They also have good players with a lot of individual quality. We have to be on our guard. It will be a tough game," Blind said.