Stormy weather matched the mood in the Netherlands yesterday after the country’s penalty shootout defeat by Argentina in their FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Bars and public viewing spaces quickly emptied after Argentina’s final penalty-kick beat Oranje goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to put Lionel Messi’s team in Sunday’s final against Germany.
“I’m really disappointed. It was long and boring, especially compared to last night,” 34-year-old fan Marteen said at a packed bar in The Hague. “I thought there was a chance once or twice to score through [striker] Arjen Robben. To lose on penalties goals is heart-breaking.”
Photo: Reuters
Bad weather put a damper on attendance at public screenings of the match and in Amsterdam, only about 1,000 people turned up at a stadium where 30,000 fans were expected.
In the northern Dutch city of Groningen, a few thousand fans drifted home shortly after the game.
“I think I’m going to the city center to have a drink to forget,” one Amsterdam fan said shortly after the match, although others were more optimistic.
“Before being too scathing, we’ve come this far. It’s still good,” Frans, 40, said.
Yet Amsterdam fan Jelle, 32, was inconsolable: “We were stronger than the Argentinians, we played better.”
Many people watched the game at home, including Niels, 29, who hosted 10 fans at his apartment in the central city of Utrecht.
“It’s a bit of a tradition,” he said.
Across the Netherlands, meetings, concerts and theater performances were suspended so people could watch the game, with coach Louis van Gaal urging parents to let their children stay up and watch.
It may have turned out a disappointment in the end for fans, but the bright orange hats and shirts will kept on hand in closets, ready for the next time.
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