EC U21: revenge…

Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord) and Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax) share a room in the trainings camp of the Oranje U21 squad. This Sunday, the tournament will start for the future Oranje stars in their quest to (again) with the EC title and the much coveted ticket to the Games in Bejing.

But both Vlaar and Maduro needed some time to wipe their solemn frowns of their faces. Vlaar had an abysmal season in Rotterdam, while Maduro went from Oranje international to Ajax-bench-sitter.

“I am really looking forward to this tournament,” Maduro says. “I’d like to play against Israel now, I can’t wait!” Two years ago, Vlaar and Maduro were the revelations in the WC tournament in Holland. The Ajax midfielder saw his play rewarded with an invitation for the Big Oranje. “Sometimes people forget how young I am. Sometimes, press compares my game with Gabri, but he is 30 years old. I just turned 22. I’ve got some years to go, before I can really be compared.”

Maduro had played only 3 games in Ajax 1 when Marco van Basten selected him. “At the time I was thrilled, but in hindsight it may have been too early. I was really tired, last summer. That cost me my spot in the team. But hey, sometimes you need to take a step back, to make two steps forward. Look at Heijtinga. Ryan Babel. I’ll show that I can do that too.”

Foppe de Haan gives both players responsibility. Ron Vlaar is De Haan’s captain. “That’s a huge honor, but you mustn’t over-estimate my role. I’m still young and I need to grow in that role. I need to be more present on the pitch, but I do think I have it in me.” Vlaar may have had a dreadful season at Feyenoord, but he learned a lot. “I played with Dirk Kuyt. Now, that is the ideal captain. Always fighting and working, great charisma, always positive. I enjoyed working with him.”

Maduro will need to prove himself. Ajax did not want to re-new his contract (ends in 2008). “I’ll report back to Ajax after this tournament and then formally my last season starts. After the season’s preparation, we’ll evaluate. They may rent me out, but I am not thinking about that. I want to succeed in Amsterdam. They know what I can, now it’s time to show them.”

Both players grew stronger thanks to the set-backs. “Of course! Handling set-backs is really important. It does make you stronger. I talk a lot about my performance, with other players, with the coach and my parents. I learn from that.”

De Haan is very happy with his lads. “They are very eager to learn and take the profession very seriously.”