Ten years on ... Jong Oranje make it a Dutch double
Friday, June 23, 2017
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It is exactly a decade since this photo was taken in the aftermath of the Netherlands' second successive U21 EURO triumph. We look at the quartet in it and ask what happened next?
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Before Foppe de Haan's appointment in 2004 the Netherlands had never won a UEFA competition at youth or Under-21 level. In front of their own fans in 2007, however, the Jong Oranje made it two U21 EURO titles in 12 months by defeating Serbia 4-1.
Ryan Babel was the star of the final, scoring his second of the tournament and taking some of the limelight from Royston Drenthe, whose thrilling performances for the hosts would ultimately earn a move to Real Madrid. Otman Bakkal, Maceo Rigters (his finals-leading fourth goal) and Luigi Bruins were also on target in Groningen.
1 Ryan Donk
A tall, commanding defender reputedly once on Barcelona's radar, Donk played every minute of the Jong Oranje's campaign. He left AZ Alkmaar the following summer for a season's loan at West Brom before longer spells at Club Brugge and Kasımpaşa. Has been on Galatasaray's books since 2016, though spent last term on loan with Liga side Real Betis.
2 Gianni Zuiverloon
The team's right-back and scorer of the winning spot kick in the 32-penalty semi-final shoot-out against England, Zuiverloon left the Netherlands the next summer for three seasons in England at West Brom (playing alongside Donk in his first campaign) and, on loan, Ipswich. Has since had stints at Mallorca and ADO Den Haag and last season won the Spanish third-tier championship with Cultural Leonesa.
3 Boy Waterman
The keeper saved three England penalties and converted one himself in that epic semi-final shoot-out. Initially with Heerenveen and AZ, Waterman had shorter stays with Alemannia Aachen, PSV and Karabükspor among others, never spending longer than two seasons at these clubs. Now 33, has just completed back-to-back title triumphs with APOEL in Cyprus and last month committed to two more years.
4 Ryan Babel
The man once billed 'the next Thierry Henry' was man of the match in the 2007 final. He moved that summer from Ajax to Liverpool, making over 100 appearances in England before 18 months with Hoffenheim. Babel rejoined Ajax for their 2012/13 title win and had spells at Kasımpaşa, al-Ain and Deportivo La Coruña before transferring to Beşiktaş in January. He promptly struck five times as the Black Sea side defended their championship. Has 43 senior caps.
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