- French govt takes new blows over deal to sell painkiller maker to US fund
- US wants end to Israel-Hezbollah war 'as soon as possible'
- Van Dijk talking to 'right people' over Liverpool contract
- Vietnam's top leader pushes anti-corruption fight
- Arteta urges Arsenal to use Bournemouth 'pain' against Shakhtar
- Rabada fastest to 300th Test wicket, as Bangladesh all out for 106
- Stock markets mostly fall, oil jumps as China cuts rates
- France bristles at painkiller maker's sale to US fund
- Moldova narrowly votes for EU membership amid fraud claims
- Erdogan rival Gulen dies in exile at 83
- Man Utd's Ten Hag relishing Europa League clash with Mourinho
- Amnesty says migrant workers exploited at Carrefour Saudi stores
- Fethullah Gulen: ex-Erdogan ally who became public enemy number one
- Rabada takes 300th Test wicket as Bangladesh all out for 106
- Seoul demands 'immediate withdrawal' of North Korean troops in Russia
- WHO to evacuate 1,000 Gazan women, children for urgent medical care
- Israel bombs Hezbollah-linked finance group in Lebanon
- Erdogan's rival Fetullah Gulen dies in exile aged 83
- Gauff-led USA pitted with Canada at season-opening United Cup
- Cuban leader warns against unrest over nationwide blackout
- Asian markets mixed as traders digest China rate cut
- Sanofi pursues sale of painkiller after political controversy
- Trump heads to hurricane-hit N. Carolina, Harris in swing state push
- Rabada takes 300th wicket as Bangladesh stumble to 60-6 at lunch
- Alpacas, hecklers and climate warnings: King Charles visits Australia's capital
- Moldova EU vote too close to call, president blames 'foreign interference'
- Sartorially suave alpaca sneezes on King Charles
- In a first, France welcomes Russian army deserters
- Storm Oscar hits eastern Cuba as island grapples with blackout
- New Zealand basks in 'golden 48 hours' after sporting triumphs
- UN biodiversity summit opens with call for 'significant' funding
- Dodgers beat Mets to set World Series showdown with Yankees
- Liberty rally to top Lynx in overtime for WNBA title
- US, Canada warships pass through Taiwan Strait
- Asian markets fluctuate as traders digest China rate cut
- Naomi Osaka season over because of injury
- Toll from attack in India-controlled Kashmir rises to seven: reports
- Simmering Bellingham set for Dortmund reunion in Champions League
- World Cup winner Kerr thanks 'grandmas' for T20 inspiration
- Dortmund identity crisis ahead of European rematch with Real Madrid
- China's central bank cuts two key rates to boost economy
- BHP goes on trial in London over 2015 toxic Brazil mine disaster
- Pakistan passes constitutional amendments aimed at courts
- Fungi finding: mushroom hunters seek new species and recognition
- Beware: US election disinformation masked as 'breaking news'
- Celtics seek repeat, Lebron and son unite as NBA season opens
- Poston holds off Ghim for PGA Tour triumph in Las Vegas
- Unbeaten Chiefs march past 49ers, Lions hand Vikings first loss
- Moldova president blames interference for potential EU referendum loss
- King Charles to spotlight conflict, climate in Australian capital
Van Dijk says poor pitch for Dutch Euros opener 'a shame'
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk says the poor state of the pitch at the Volksparkstadion ahead of his side's Euro 2024 opener against Poland on Sunday is "a shame".
Both teams have expressed concerns about the turf and neither side held their last pre-match training session at the stadium in Hamburg.
"We don't know exactly yet whether the pitch is very bad," Van Dijk told a press conference on Saturday, saying it was similar to the pitch used for a Netherlands friendly against Germany in Frankfurt in March.
"It looks like the pitch is the same as for the match in Frankfurt when we played against Germany.
"The top layer will probably loosen quickly. That is of course a shame, but both teams will have to deal with it."
The Dutch held their final training at their team base in Wolfsburg before making the trip to Hamburg.
"We have chosen to do the last training in Wolfsburg," said coach Ronald Koeman.
"We believe that you can do much more towards a match than when you train in the stadium.
"But in the end we should not have trained here anyway because of the turf."
Koeman is expected to start RB Leipzig winger Xavi Simons and leave out Jeremie Frimpong who starred for Bayer Leverkusen during their historic Bundesliga and German Cup-winning campaign.
Both players are in good form, with a goal apiece across the two 4-0 warm-up wins over Canada and Iceland.
"He is one of the greatest talents we currently have in the Netherlands," Koeman said of Simons.
"He has already played in many matches as a starter at an early age. He is developing and for a young player there are always ups and downs, especially with a national team.
"But we are confident that he will play a very good European Championship."
The 21-year-old Simons has only netted once in 14 international appearances -- against Iceland earlier this week -- but Van Dijk is also confident the youngster will deliver.
"He can give so much more than he does now. He can do much better," said the Liverpool defender.
"He has the right mentality, so I'm not worried about that not happening. This will be a big tournament for him and I have a lot of confidence in him."
The Dutch will be hoping to make a strong start to Group D, with a game against tournament favourites France to follow next Friday before facing Austria on June 25.
F.Schneider--AMWN