Euro 2008: Dutch players return home
The Dutch football team returned to the Netherlands on Sunday night following their 3-1 defeat by Russia on Saturday.
The match was watched by some 11 million out of Holland’s population of 17 million, according to tv viewing figures.
The squad ignored waiting reporters and fans and left the airport by a rear entrance, according to NOS tv.
The Telegraaf reports that the 150,000 to 180,000 Dutch fans left a mountain of 40 tonnes of rubbish behind in the Swiss city of Basel and drank 500,000 litres of beer. In total, 65 fans were hospitalised due to the combination of hot sun and alcohol.
The Volkskrant carries a large photograph of a dejected-looking keeper Edwin van der Sar on its front page. Saturday’s game was his last international performance.
Coach Marco van Basten is also moving onto a new job after four years with Oranje. He takes up the helm at Amsterdam club Ajax.
For a report on the match aftermath, click here
For a report on the match itself, click here
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