In a shocking turn of events, the Dutch Men's National Football Team has failed to qualify for next year's European championships after losing 3-2 to a 10-man Czech Republic in their last ditch qualifying effort.

A win for the Oranje would have been moot anyway, as Turkey ended up eliminating Iceland in the other group qualifier. The Dutch's hopes hinged on an Icelandic victory as well.

The elimination marks a stunning fall from grace for one of the world football's powerhouses. The Oranje were one of the most decorated sides in recent history; finishing as runners-up at the 2008 World Cup in South Africa and bagging third place two years ago in Brazil.

However some of the team's key figures have begun to show their age. Robin Van Persie, the nation's all-time leading scorer and attacking center point, wasn't at his best; inadvertently firing an own goal into his net to put his team down 3-0 and effectively end their hopes. The 32 year old striker, who might have played his last meaningful game for the national team, did net a consolation strike later in the game.

Aside from Van Persie, team stalwarts such as Klas-Jan Huntelaar, Arjen Robben, and Captain Wesley Sneijder are all on the wrong side of 30 and are huge question marks for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

If this is the last we see of the current Dutch core, then it's certainly a disappointing way for them to go out.