World

Europe

Netherlands

Maarten Stekelenburg: the new No. 1

September 5th, 2008 | By: Jan | 7 Comments »

Since the last EC, Maarten Stekelenburg is Oranje’s new goal keeper. But he’d rather you didn’t call him the successor to Edwin van der Sar. “I’m just Maarten Stekelenburg, you know?”.

Don’t get the 25 year old Ajax goalie wrong though, because he realizes there are worse comparisons that can be made. Stekel thinks Sar is one of the best of the world: “You’ve seen how he played in the CL finals or the whole EC. Out of this world… I don’t deserve to be compared to him. Yet.”

Stekelenburg has been compared to the former Ajax goalie since his days in the Ajax youth. “I sometimes feel it as extra pressure. Since I started at Ajax, they compare me to him. And I understand that, we’re both tall, we have a reasonable kick in our feet, we’re both pretty introverted people and of course, we both wore (and I still do) Ajax jerseys. But I’m me. And Klaas Jan is not Ruud van Nistelrooy.”

At Ajax, Stekelenburg had to fight his way past Didulica and Lobont, in Oranje he was promoted to first goalie without a rival. The defeat against Russia was an emotional moment. “When we thanking the crowd, Edwin came up to me, and shook my hand. He said: I wish you all the best, mate. I was in the moment then and said someting like “thanks” but it didn’t sink in. Later I realized what he just did and it sort of dawned on me what a special moment that was.”

Stekelenburg was relieved to see his name in Van Marwijk’s list of players, before the friendly against Russia. “I don’t think that was so logical. Why? I’m not being modest, that’s how I see it. I’m only 25 years old, there’s other young and talented goalies. And there’s Henk Timmer. Van Marwijk worked with him and, I don’t know…I’m not that good yet that I can say it’s only normal for the team manager to select me. I was happy.”

“Keeping at Oranje is different than at Ajax. At Oranje we play with two holding midfielders. Oranje is better than Ajax is closing a game down. At Ajax Gabri is the holding midfielder, but he hardly speaks any Dutch. So, the organizational stuff at Oranje is easier for me than at Ajax.”

Stekelenburg can still see enormous potential for growth for himself. “It’s quite simple. As a goalie, you reach your top around 30 years old. Physically, I think I am top already, but in terms of personality and leadership I can do much better. Sometimes I tend to drift away a bit. Sar has a lot of great qualities but his concentration is up there with the best. Another thing I need to improve is my coaching. I work hard every day to improve myself and in 2010 I’m a bit closer to my ultimate top, so…who knows…?”

www.ad.nl

Tags: Ajax, Bommel, Marwijk, Oranje, Persie, Sar, Stekelenburg, World Cup 2010

Netherlands World Cup RSS Feed

del.icio.us:Maarten Stekelenburg: the new No. 1

digg:Maarten Stekelenburg: the new No. 1

newsvine:Maarten Stekelenburg: the new No. 1

reddit:Maarten Stekelenburg: the new No. 1

fark:Maarten Stekelenburg: the new No. 1

stumbleupon:Maarten Stekelenburg: the new No. 1

Comments

By goose | September 5th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Jan; you forgot to translate the last part.

just think its very importent that vMarwijk stands behind Stekelenburg and will give him time; the most importent things for a goalie; confidence and experience

Posted from Netherlands

By Jess | September 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

Sorry to go off topic but looking for some advice

I have picked up a copy of Brillant Orange but I am wondering if there are any other good books/movies out there that can help me learn more about the finer side of football. I figure if I can learn I can add more to the discussions although I have already learned so much from everyone here. Any suggestions would be great! Thank You. Oh and if they could be in English that would be great too as my language skills are sadly lacking.

By finnster01 | September 5th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

@Jess and others: There are many books on just about every aspect of soccer you can think of. Tactics, training, biographies, stories, you name it.

But I will tell you what is my all time favorite. It is a book called “The Glory Game” written by Hunter Davies and was published in 1972. There is a new edition reprinted in 2001. Amazon has it listed as the best book ever on soccer, and actually it might be.

It is the story of Tottenham Hotspurs in the 1970-1971 season and the author travelled with the team for a full year. It is the first book of its kind as it has a journalist following the team through a season. This was never permitted before. Kind of reality TV before it was invented and in book form. Each chapter focuses on a player and their character, for good and for bad. It is very well written and a fantastic read, and if you put it in perspective, it is written in the hey-days of the great Ajax teams, JC, Neeskens etc. and you get to get a sense of some of the bohemian behaviour of the players of the time. I am no Spurs fan, but that book is a spectacular read and I must have read it 10-12 times over since I got it as a present as a teenager.

Here is the link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Glory-Game-Hunter-Davies/dp/0809293323

By Carlos | September 5th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Stekelenburg – watched the recent Russia game again and particularly early in the game when a rare Russian break had Steks runnng out of his area to clear the ball with a one on one on the Rusky. Wow ! then realized Steks is as tall as Sar but twice as wide. The Russian guy was flattened (legally) and watching slowmo replays shows this huge keeper fearlessly coming thru. Not a sight I want to see coming at me (and I played first grade Rugby in Australia). Think he’ll be alright provided as Goose says…he gets the coaches and teams confidence

Posted from Singapore

By finnster01 | September 5th, 2008 at 6:42 pm

@Carlos: He is a big lad isn’t he? I like him. He has no fear.

By tiju | September 6th, 2008 at 2:59 am

this guy is too strong and looks like a giant.he is more courageous than vandersar i think if he can focus for 10 years he will became the next hans van brukelen(i think in penaltys he is better than van der sar)
(who knows he may be the star for us in wc2010)
van der sar had consistancy through out his carrier but he was a fearfulguy.he could do unbelivable saves and missed very simple ones also.
for me for a goal keeper half part is mental and 25 % is experience and 25 %is talent.
hup martyn hup you can do better than van der sar

Posted from India