The Dutch national football team will play its 'home' matches at the upcoming Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine in a completely orange kit. Chief sponsor Nike made the announcement on Monday afternoon.

The decision is likely to be popular with fans as orange is the national colour - the Dutch monarchy is the House of Orange - and the team is known as Oranje.

Team coach Bert van Marwijk said the home kit, like the away kit, is extremely environmentally friendly, as it is 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. The orange shirt has dark orange accents that are similar to the first ever national team kit, which dates back to 1904.

The home kit also has 'new masters' embroidered on the inside of the collar. The phrase refers to the 17th-century artists Rembrandt, Vermeer and many others who are more commonly known as the Old Masters, as well as praising the current squad's potential.

The team's away strip, which is black with orange accents, was presented earlier this year. The design divided critics and fans; many say the all-black kit will be far too hot during the summer tournament while others feel it is depressing and dull. The more superstitious fans point out that teams wearing black don't usually win.
 

(jric/tt)

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