Blind's son enters spotlight

Netherlands midfielder Daley Blind had a true bittersweet evening on Friday. Back from suspension after missing their opening UEFA European Under-17 Championship draw with hosts Belgium, within 52 minutes of their 3-0 defeat of Iceland last night he had struck two long-range goals. But soon after a heavy challenge left Blind with an ankle injury that seems to have ended his tournament. Quite a day too for his famous father, Danny, watching from the stands in Ronse.

Philosophical
Blind has followed in his dad's footsteps by playing for the Netherlands and signing for AFC Ajax, and the man that won almost all there is to win with the Amsterdam club was philosophical about his son's rollercoaster day. "When you see him leave with an injury you don't expect it to be that bad," Blind senior told uefa.com. "It's unlucky for him but it is part of the job, and I know the job! It's a bad moment and it's unlucky for him."

Mixed feelings
Still, the ex-Ajax coach, soon to become Sparta Rotterdam director of football, was satisfied with his offspring's display though marred by its unhappy ending. "The first goal was good and the second maybe the goalkeeper could have done better, but he had a good game," Blind said. "Of course for kids of that age, to play in a European Championship is a great moment, so it is very disappointing that you have to leave with an injury."

Burden
Capped 42 times by the Netherlands, Blind does not put pressure on his son. "I enjoy that he likes playing football," he said. "I am very relaxed in following him, and leaving him free to play his game." But the 45-year-old knows that Daley's surname carries a certain burden. "He signed a contract a couple of months ago at Ajax, so did others but they were not in the papers, not on TV. It gives him a bit more pressure than we like. But that's normal, you have to handle it. It's not an advantage, it's a disadvantage."

Dutch potential
Blind has unsurprisingly followed the Dutch U17 team this season, and although they currently lead Group B and are one point from the semi-finals, he does not believe they have yet shown their true potential. "I have seen them a lot this year and they are a good team, but have not shown it until now," Blind said. "But I think they can do much better, they are one of the favourites I think."

Youth experience
Indeed, Blind knows about success at this level. Six years before his senior Dutch debut he helped his country to the semi-finals of the 1980 International Youth Tournament in East Germany, the forerunner of the current UEFA events at U17 and U19 level. "You play against opponents that play in another way," he reflected. "They are more mature compared to the Dutch players - especially the Spanish and Italian teams. They are more professional, they play another system, they are more organised. In Holland all the teams play the same system, so it is good experience."