Although Wes Sneijder has claimed the Man of the Match Award in both of the Netherlands’ games in the European Championship final phase so far, Dirk Kuyt has also been outstanding. And he’s looking forward to more of the same as the tournament unfolds.
The past few months have been tough for the Liverpool forward after he lost his father last June. However, he managed to feature in 48 games and score 11 times for The Reds, helping them find their way back into the European Champions League.
The former Utrecht and Feyenoord man was not a key Oranje figure in the European Championship’s qualifying phase, scoring once in six appearances. But that has changed in Austria and Switzerland: Kuyt started both of his national side’s last 16 matches, set up two of their goals against Italy and then netted the opener against France.
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of important moments in a match,” the 27-year-old told euro2008.com website. “But the most beautiful thing is just to win two important games such as these. It gives you a great feeling.”
Kuyt was one of the first new faces Marco van Basten brought into the Oranje squad following his appointment and after his September 3, 2004 debut he’s conjured up 39 caps and eight goals. “I’ve worked very hard to be at my best for this tournament and I’m very happy to have been in the line-up twice. And when I can play an important role by giving assists and scoring goals, then I’m doubly satisfied.”
With one game to spare the Dutch have already won the “Group of death” and they will either play Sweden or Russia in the quarter-finals, avoiding a clash with Spain – at least for now. But could they emulate the success of 20 years ago, when they won the Henri Delaunay trophy?
“We feel it’s possible for us to achieve something beautiful here,” Kuyt says. “We have delivered two excellent performances, but we must now prepare for the next step. We all want to achieve something beautiful here, and I think we can. But we should not look too far ahead yet.”
The Netherlands have grabbed the headlines not only for their showings on the field, but off it as well, as some 50,000 fans have painted the city of Berne in orange. “We are so focused on the matches that it’s hard to imagine how it is for the people that are here to support us,” Kuyt commented. “We really appreciate receiving so much support. We cannot experience all the celebrations, but that’s OK. A lot of people would also love to be standing in our shoes right now.”
The past few months have been tough for the Liverpool forward after he lost his father last June. However, he managed to feature in 48 games and score 11 times for The Reds, helping them find their way back into the European Champions League.
The former Utrecht and Feyenoord man was not a key Oranje figure in the European Championship’s qualifying phase, scoring once in six appearances. But that has changed in Austria and Switzerland: Kuyt started both of his national side’s last 16 matches, set up two of their goals against Italy and then netted the opener against France.
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of important moments in a match,” the 27-year-old told euro2008.com website. “But the most beautiful thing is just to win two important games such as these. It gives you a great feeling.”
Kuyt was one of the first new faces Marco van Basten brought into the Oranje squad following his appointment and after his September 3, 2004 debut he’s conjured up 39 caps and eight goals. “I’ve worked very hard to be at my best for this tournament and I’m very happy to have been in the line-up twice. And when I can play an important role by giving assists and scoring goals, then I’m doubly satisfied.”
With one game to spare the Dutch have already won the “Group of death” and they will either play Sweden or Russia in the quarter-finals, avoiding a clash with Spain – at least for now. But could they emulate the success of 20 years ago, when they won the Henri Delaunay trophy?
“We feel it’s possible for us to achieve something beautiful here,” Kuyt says. “We have delivered two excellent performances, but we must now prepare for the next step. We all want to achieve something beautiful here, and I think we can. But we should not look too far ahead yet.”
The Netherlands have grabbed the headlines not only for their showings on the field, but off it as well, as some 50,000 fans have painted the city of Berne in orange. “We are so focused on the matches that it’s hard to imagine how it is for the people that are here to support us,” Kuyt commented. “We really appreciate receiving so much support. We cannot experience all the celebrations, but that’s OK. A lot of people would also love to be standing in our shoes right now.”
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