Euro 2008: Arrests in Delft as party ends
Riot police were brought in to clear central Delft following Holland’s exit from Euro 2008 after losing 3-1 to Russia.
There were also clashes between Dutch and Russian fans in Basel, leading to several arrests.
But in the rest of the Netherlands, there was little disturbance as stunned supporters made their way home, news agency ANP reports.
In Delft, several hundred frustrated fans gathered in the city’s Beestenmarkt after the final whistle and threw stones at police who tried to clear the area. Eventually riot police were brought in and made several charges. There were 18 arrests, ANP reports.
In Basel, Swiss police ‘had their hands full’ dealing with fights between Dutch and Russians supporters.
In Amsterdam after the end of the match, the Rembrandtplein and Leidesplein were ‘full of fans staring blankly into space’, ANP said. The Hague there were few people on the streets and some were already taking down their Orange decorations as soon as the match was over.
In Utrecht, Rotterdam and other cities, police were on standby but did not need to take any action.
The Dutch media were united in their view that the best team won.
‘Hiddink floors Oranje’ is the headline on the front page of the Telegraaf, above a photo of a jubilant Guus Hiddink. The Telegraaf is one of Holland’s two Sunday papers.
The AD had promised a special edition if Oranje made it through to the semi-finals. On its website it said simply that the ‘Orange dream fell apart in Basel’.
‘Guus Hiddink’s team was the rightful winner,’ said the Volkskrant. ‘ Oranje never showed that fluent combination game which won it the group round so gloriously.’
Comments on the Telegraaf’s website were restrained: ‘A real pity’; ‘the best team won’; ‘it is always the same with us’.
Some supporters, however, are looking forward. K from Katwijk wrote: ‘Who cares about the European championship when you are going to be world champions in two years time.’
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