Over half a million people turned out in Amsterdam on Tuesday for the public homecoming of the Dutch national football squad after their World Cup efforts. The 'boys in orange' made it to the final in South Africa, but were forced by Spain to make do with second place.
The players joined trainer Bert van Marwijk and his staff for a celebratory boat trip along the Dutch capital’s famous canals. They were greeted by tens of thousands of fans, many decked out in orange, lining the banks and bridges to get a glimpse of their heroes.
The soccer stars drank beer while they acknowledged the crowds who waved orange flags to the sound of blaring vuvuzelas. The players used their mobile phones to record the spectacle.
After the boat trip, the squad walked onto a stage erected in the open space of Amsterdam’s Museum Square to receive their official welcome. More than 100,000 people were gathered to witness the scene.
Earlier on Tuesday, the team, trainer and staff had been received by Queen Beatrix at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. She posed for photographs with the squad on the palace steps, to cheers from the waiting crowds.
Outgoing Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende addressed the footballers at his official residence, also in The Hague. He told them: “Everything that’s orange and loves orange feels dejected. Understandably. But I truly hope that the disappointment will quickly make way for pride.”
Trainer Bert van Marwijk and team captain Giovanni van Bronkhorst were knighted by the queen.
lead photo: ANP
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I am so proud of the Dutch Oranje team for coming so far! They should always hold their heads high for having accomplished so much and more than much larger countries have! I am proud, too, because my parents came from Holland and I still feel a little bit Dutch! Of course, I am a proud American, and alwys follow our teams, but we are a big country and Athleticism is is one of our passions. CONGRATULATIONS ORANJE!!!!!!!!
It was beautiful, and well deserved for our great voetbal team!
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