Archive for the ‘Background stories’ Category


Wondergoal: Peter Houtman

September 2nd, 2008 | By: Jan | No Comments »

Wonder goals are really wonder goals when they’re scored in important matches! Peter Houtman - currently stadium speaker at Feyenoord - was a typical Wim Kieft like striker. Tall, static, strong in the air. The guy started his career at the Feyenoord youth, then was told to leave (not good enough). He played for FC [...]

Wondergoal: Peter Hoekstra

August 31st, 2008 | By: Jan | 1 Comment »

Peter Hoekstra… He was one hell of a left winger! Came from nowhere into PSV, a much coveted youth player. His length, his speed, his technique…a joy to watch… He was part of Hiddink’s EC1996 squad and was supposed to become one of Holland’s most exciting players. But fate happened. Hoekstra’s tall and lean [...]

Wonder goal: Ronald de Boer

August 30th, 2008 | By: Jan | No Comments »

Ronald de Boer was one of those players of whom coaches never knew exactly what his best position was. They said it about numerous players: “he is great, but they need to invent a new position for him…”.
Kirsten Nygaard, Andrej Jeliazkov, Clarence Seedorf, Tarek Oulida, Igor Korneev, Kenneth Perez and many others come to mind.
Ronald [...]

Wonder saves: Ruud Gullit

August 28th, 2008 | By: Jan | 17 Comments »

He wasn’t an actually goalie, of course. But one day he had to replace the keeper and Ruud Gullit knew how to stop the opponents from scoring!
Look at this!!

Wonder goal: Luc Nilis

August 27th, 2008 | By: Jan | 4 Comments »

Some players score a lot of goals, some players score a lot of beauties and then some players can only score wonder goals. Dennis Bergkamp comes to mind. Marco van Basten, of course. Robin van Persie. And that Belgium bloke who won over our Dutch hearts. Luc Nilis. Had to end his career due to [...]

Wondergoal+: Jari Litmanen

August 26th, 2008 | By: Jan | 27 Comments »

An overview of great goals is never complete without Mr Glass from Finland. Jari traveled Europe as an apprentice before Louis van Gaal signed him for Ajax. Dan Pedersen - Denmark - was the chosen one to fill Dennis Bergkamp shoes at Ajax after he’d left. But when the Dane got injured Litmanen took the [...]

Wondergoal: Rene van der Gijp

August 24th, 2008 | By: Jan | 9 Comments »

There’s been many wonderful goals in the past, when I search my memory. Gio van Bronckhorst scored a rocket for Oranje in Amsterdam against Ireland (?), in the WC qualification campaign under Van Gaal. Bennie Wijnstekers, Mr Feyenoord, hit a scorcher against PSV in De Kuip, but all these goals can’t be found on YouTube [...]

Kluivert: unremarkable farewell for remarkable striker

August 24th, 2008 | By: Jan | 18 Comments »

He had given himself till the end of July to find a new club. But, he really wanted a top club. Patrick Kluivert (31) didn’t want to end his career in the cellar of some competition. It’s August now, and that top club hasn’t found Kluivert’s number. And they probably never will.
Kluivert played in Stam’s [...]

Dutch Masters: Adrie van Tiggelen

August 22nd, 2008 | By: Jan | 1 Comment »

Adrie now…
EC1988 winner Adrie van Tiggelen is assistant coach at Sparta and is a happy trooper. “Head coach Foeke Booy allows me to do the training often. He just observes, while I do the work. I keep track of progress and discuss the program with him. When Aandewiel was coach, the board asked me to [...]

Wondergoal: Johan Cruyff

August 21st, 2008 | By: Jan | 11 Comments »

JC made a lot of great great goals… If Van Basten’s volley is the quintessential Oranje goal ever, this goal is Barcelona’s most beautiful. Despite Romario, Stoichkov, Ronaldinho, Messi… JC made the best goal ever for Barca, against Atletico Madrid. The balance, the timing, the touch… And to be honest, the 1970s quality broadcast helps [...]


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