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Tribute to Edwin van der Sar

June 25th, 2008 | By: Jan | 12 Comments »

Our captain has retired. Edwin van der Sar… Won two Champion League Cups with Ajax and Man United. Several titles. Played for Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Man United and Oranje, of course.

Definitely the Man of the Tournament for Oranje (which normally means bad news, if your goalie is the best man…).

Never won a cup or a title with Oranje, though. He won’t be happy with that.

The VI site has a wonderful photo-tribute to the man. I’m do the lazy thing, I’ll include the link and you can look at the pics. Right above the first picture is says “klik hier voor de slideshow”, which translates roughly into “click here for the slideshow”

And yes, it is a great loss. But remember, when Edwin made his debut (Belarus, 1-0 defeat) he didn’t have the quality and leadership has now. Let’s remember that when we judge Stekelenburg or Velthuizen, ok?

Have fun…

Tags: Euro 2008, Stekelenburg, van der Sar, Velthuizen

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Comments

By --HedonistiX | June 25th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

I know that site was a tribute to vdS, which is great, by the way …. but it brought back memories of the old squad that spanked Argentina and S&M ….. I can’t believe how skinny he was and how he used to back up Ed de Gooij (*YUCK*) …..

Gosh, I miss the de Boer twins (sans the missed PKs) and of course Edgar Davids & his goggles was such a bad @$$!

–H

By Van Basten | June 25th, 2008 at 11:10 pm

Van der Sar was definetely a very likable goalkeeper.In recent years, he was the heart and soul of that team, an exemplary leader to all, and the the last link between the previous Dutch generation and the new one.
Thanks Jan for providing us with the website http://www.babelfish.com from one one of your longtime previous posts.Now I can read Dutch without being a Dutch or even having gone to the Netherlands.
Thanks to Van der Sar as well!

Posted from United States

By russian-exile | June 26th, 2008 at 12:08 am

check out this clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=K3QIRZdKWk0

Van der Sar got owned by Hiddink, our best player! Guss found Arshavin, told Anyukov where to pass it.. 5 seconds later.. goal.. Van der Sar pissed off..

HAHAHAHAH

Posted from United States

By Finnster01 | June 26th, 2008 at 12:30 am

An absolute class act, on and off the pitch. Wonderful career that is still going strong.

Just wish he would change his mind and hang around for Oranje until 2010. I think there is still enough gas in that tank. However, you have to respect a man’s man decision, which is exactly what he is. EVDS is a man’s man, and has very high principles and morals. I think he steps away to give a chance for for the new lads to break in time for 2010. Class act. I have run out of words.

The number of times he has frustrated me as a Liverpool fan is numerous, painful, and very hard to forget. But give credit where credit is due. He never made any noise, just went on with his day. Never got into trouble (Ronaldo, are you taking notes?). Even fulfilled his 4 years contract with Fulham without a single game in Europe, no complaints. That man was never about anything but the team, old school. He still is one of the absolutely very best goal keepers in the world. Total respect.

Sad to see him go. Thanks for all the Oranje memories, and the very best for what the future and continous career will bring. You certainly will be missed in an Oranje jersey

Posted from United States

By Junior | June 26th, 2008 at 12:51 am

Russian Exile…nice video link.It’s incredible. This goal was purely Hiddink’s goal!!!I can’t believe Guus. He really meant to kill the Dutch. He did even take it easy on us…He saw our weaknesses, and killed us mercilessly.Icredible Guus…Nice Video. I completely missed the way this goal came about during the game.Incredible Guus…Incredible Traitor!

Posted from United States

By Junior | June 26th, 2008 at 12:52 am

Typo :”He did NOT even take it easy on us”.

Posted from United States

By goose | June 26th, 2008 at 3:30 am

Its just great to have a good ,experienced goalie….vdSar has been great for us, in the beginning of his career i wasnt too charmed by him, i still think he lacks presence in the goal but as with any goalie (exc. Lehman) they get better with time

interesting to see how our defense will act with a new goalie behind them

Stekelenburg should get the change, Velthuizen is the one to watch

Posted from Netherlands

By Jan | June 26th, 2008 at 5:23 am

I’ll miss this man … a lot!
What a keeper. NL will never be the same without him.

Posted from Italy

By Jess | June 26th, 2008 at 8:54 am

I don’t even remember a time without Sar as a keeper. I wish more players were as classy as him.

@ HedonistiX- Isn’t Davids the greatest! He’s my favourite! I wish he could come back to the Oranje

By Caleb | June 26th, 2008 at 9:15 am

Finnster sums it up for me very well. Classy player all around.
I also think that he shouldn’t be forced to continue, it’s time to let a younger player get experience with Oranje so that he is ready for 2010.

Posted from Canada

By Carlos | June 26th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

I remember being in Holland and a friend had tickets to an Ajax pre season game against Zwolle. There a lanky goalkeeper was playing his first game on trial for Ajax along with trials for Litmanen and Finidi George. Ajax won the game 10-0. VDS didnt have to do much but looked very composed and TALL in that goal- One great save secured his spot. Litmanen and George also got contracts with Ajax. Will miss the man !

Posted from Singapore