THE VITALS:

Team: Holland (the Netherlands)

Brand: Nike

Era: 2007-09 (Used for the final game of the 2008 UEFA European Championships Qualifying Campaign, the 2008 UEFA European Championships and for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Campaign)

Name/Number: -

CONDITION: VERY GOOD

These shorts remain in very good condition for their age however, there is some greying to the white to be mindful of.

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Small

Waist Measurement: 16 inches

Outer Leg Length: 15 inches

Made by Nike in the last of their ‘NikeFit’ range of products which they used between 2008-09; these shorts provide an excellent fit for a size small.

DESCRIPTION: 

After the all-oranje assembly that was used during the previous cycle; Nike restored white shorts for the 2007-09 iteration of the home strip and blue socks would be used as the primary home socks for the first time in the nation’s history, meanwhile the flag of the Netherlands was integrated into the collar for the first time in the Nike era. This strip would be remembered most fondly during the Netherlands’ magical showing at Euro 2008 where their competition ended abruptly in the quarter final after a majestic Group Stage performance where they defeated the reigning World Champions – Italy 3-0 and then overcame France 4-1! This cycle would also include the first 15 of Holland’s fine 27 game (in normal time) unbeaten record – including their 100% winning run to qualify for the World Cup in 2010! This would also be last Netherland’s series of shirts to be pulled on by the likes of: Mario Melchiot, Jan Venegoor of Hesselink and Edwin van der Sar.

THE SEASON(S): 

Marco van Basten’s Netherlands would seal qualification for Euro 2008 with their 1-0 win over Luxembourg in the Benelux Derby on 17^th November 2007, however, a stunning upset at the hands of Belarus in the final game of qualification would condemn the Dutch to a 2^nd place finish behind Romania.

The preparations for the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland in June 2008 would begin with a friendly against fellow tournament finalists – Croatia on 6^th February in Zagreb in the first ever meeting between the two nations since their 3^rd place match at the World Cup in 1998. The Netherlands would get their revenge with a fine 3-0 win in the Croatian capital. Six weeks later, they would travel to the site of where the final of Euro 2008 on 29^th June – the Ernst-Happel Stadium, where they took on Austria in an epic friendly where ‘La Oranje’ came back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 on 26^th March!

With just a couple of weeks about before their opening game of Euro 2008 against Italy on 9^th June; Holland would ease past Ukraine with a 3-0 win on 24^th May in Rotterdam, before they were held to a 1-1 draw with Denmark five days later in Eindhoven. Their final tune-up game before the began their quest for European glory cam against Wales where they won 2-0 on 1^st June.

Drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Italy, France and Romania in Group C, and they would clash the World Champions – Italy in Bern on 9^th June. Marco van Basten’s side would put on a scintillating performance as they felled Italy 3-0 to get their revenge for their upsetting elimination in the semi-final of Euro 2000! Next on the agenda was France in the same Stade de Suisse in Bern, and once again, the continent was put on notice as Holland eased to the quarter final by way of a 4-1 win! Last, would come their chance to defeat to Romania after failing to beat them either home or away during qualifying for the tournament; and they would pass the test with flying colours as they prevailed 2-0 to top the group!

Their 1^st place finish would set up a quarter-final clash with Russia in what was the spiritual rematch of the 1988 final against the Soviet Union which the Netherlands won and was famously when Marco van Basten one of the sport’s greatest ever goals. Russia, led by Dutch coaching legend – Guus Hiddink, would take the lead before Ruud Van Nistelrooy equalised late on to set up extra time. In the overtime, Russia would stun the Dutch 3-1 to end their quest for the a second European Championship.

Euro 2008 would spell the end of van Basten’s tenure and Bert van Marwijk would take his place with his first assignment – a 20^th August friendly against Russia! The game would end 1-1 in Moscow before being stunned 2-1 at home against Australia on 6^th September. The nation would not look back as they kicked off qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with four straight wins – prevailing against: Macedonia, Iceland, Norway and then Sweden to end the year of 2008.

2009 started with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia on 11^th February, however, once qualification for the World Cup resumed on 28^th March; Holland were nothing short of indomitable as they reeled another five wins in succession – crushing: Scotland, Macedonia, Iceland and Norway by a combined aggregate score of: 11-1 to book their place amongst the 32 teams in South Africa!

A glamour friendly with England would come on 12^th August in Amsterdam where they went 2-0 ahead only to be held to a 2-2 draw. The September 2009 round of fixtures would yield a 3-0 win over Japan before closing World Cup qualifying with a 100% record by beating Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park. The year of 2009 and the decade of the 2000’s would end for the Netherlands with a trio of goalless draws against Australia, Italy and Paraguay respectively.

The notable players that season(s) were:

Jan Venegoor of Hesselink, Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ryan Babel, Rafael van der Vaart, Arjen Robben, Ibrahim Afellay, Eljero Elia, Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder, Orlando Engelaar, Nigel De Jong, Mark van Bommel, Demy de Zeeuw, Joris Mathijsen, Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Wilfried Bouma, Tim de Cler, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Andre Ooijer, Mario Melchiot, Khalid Boulahrouz, Maarten Stekelenburg, Edwin van der Sar, Henk Timmer