Once in Oranje: Edwin Vurens

New team manager Guus Hiddink is faced with a tired Ajax in February 1995. Eight Ajax players decide to pass on the friendly against Portugal due to the full match calender for the Sons of Gods. FC Twente striker Edwin Vurens gets the nod and benefits from Ajax’ success run in 1995. The Sparta developed player plays a strong season but is still surprised by the invite. “I was playing well, but normally team managers go for Top 3 players first. Hiddink selected Michael Mols as well, also a Twente player back then. That was almost revolutionary.”

Vurens has to work very hard to keep up with the pace on training. “I can only remember one training session, but I really had to walk on my toes to make my mark. I always thought internationals saw these sessions as a happy reunion…hahahaa… How wrong I was…”

Vurens was even more surprised when he heard he started against Portugal. Frank Verlaat and Michel Kreek also made their debuts for Oranje. “Oh, it was special all right. Standing in line for the national hymn, than you realize millions are watching you, chips and beer, to cheer on the team…”.

Vurens came to the fore in Sparta’s wonderful run between the end of the 80s and mid 90s. Inspired by veteran player Louis van Gaal in the 1980s, Sparta developed a string of great players like Van der Gijp, Rene Eijer, John de Wolf, Edwin Olde Riekering, Danny Blind and somewhat later Edwin Vurens. Happy go lucky Vurens could be called a lesser talented Robin van Persie. He made his move to FC Twente and would later play his football in Switzerland.

In 1995, Portugal was a tough opponent already. In the 8th minute, Portugal scores the 0-1. Vurens doesn’t play a good game. “I couldn’t get into my own game. I played from the left in Twente, against Portugal I was the right winger. Normally, I don’t really care, but in this match it didn’t happen for me.”

Vurens was subbed in the break for another debutant Eric van der Luer. “Hiddink came up to me and said, too bad lad. It’s not your game. You tried and it’s not there. He was that direct and uncomplicated. He thought I did my best and that’s it.”

After his debut, Vurens was never selected anymore. Not a huge disappointment for the Stompwijk-born. “I can live with it. I got my one chance and didn’t grab it. I also played an unofficial international in the memorial game against the Suriprofs after that plane crash. And I played a friendly with Servette against Oranje. How many players can say that?”

“I still have the Oranje jersey. We played in white that night, but I also received an orange jersey. Whenever I watch Oranje play with my sons, I wear it, hahahaaa… And you know what? It still fits.”

Statistics

22 februari 1995, Eindhoven

Nederland – Portugal 0-1 (0-1).
Score: 8. Pedro Barbosa 0-1.
Attendance: 24.500.
Yellow cards : Johan de Kock (Nederland), Fernando Couto, Rui Costa and Domingos (Portugal)
Line up Nederland: De Goey; Bosz, Verlaat, De Kock, Kreek; Winter, Jonk, Rob Witschge; Vurens (46. Van de Luer), Bergkamp en Roy.