Sports
Why The Netherlands Play in Orange
Kit colours hold profound significance for national teams, extending beyond mere aesthetics to embody the identity, heritage, and unity of a nation. These colors are not arbitrarily chosen; they often reflect historical events, cultural symbols, or national values, serving as a powerful visual representation of a country’s story.
At any major tournament, one of the most striking kits on display will always be that of the Netherlands‘ orange home strip. Whilst many teams don kits featuring colours taken directly from their flag, like England’s white and red or the blue of France, the Dutch choice stands out vividly, with its bold, bright hue not just an eye-catching feature of the aptly named ‘The Oranje‘, but also serving as a reminder of exalted football nobility.
It is associated with some of the most iconic moments and figures in football folklore, with the Dutch teams of the 1970s, led by Johan Cruyff, revolutionising the sport with their “Total Football” philosophy, gaining international acclaim and leaving a lasting legacy on the beautiful game.
Yet, not many people, football fans or not, have any idea why the Netherlands choose to play in orange when the colour isn’t represented in their flag. So GIVEMESPORT has put the onus on themselves to explain why.
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Why The Netherlands Home Shirt is Orange
The main reason the Netherlands play in orange is that it serves as a tribute to the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal family of the Netherlands, whose lineage began with William of Orange, a pivotal figure in Dutch history.
William of Orange, the ‘Oranje’ & Dutch Pride
Also known as William the Silent (not because he said little but because he did not reveal his thoughts), he led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule in the late 16th century, paving the way for the independence of the Dutch Republic. His legacy is celebrated in various aspects of Dutch life, and the national football team’s orange shirts are a vibrant symbol of national pride and unity. The color orange has since become a national color, adorning everything from sports kits to celebrations on King’s Day, a major national holiday.
This historical connection infuses the football kit with a rich sense of heritage and identity. With their nickname also being ‘Oranje‘, the significance stretches far and wide, and they’ve, at times, been coined ‘Clockwork Orange’ in the media, often when they are playing their best, most rhythmic football.
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However, it isn’t just in football where the orange is represented in the Netherlands. They also took on the nickname of the ‘Orange Army’ in Formula One as they support their number one driver and four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. Although the Dutch flag has three colours, none of them are orange. Instead, at the top, you’ll find red, which symbolises bravery. Then, there is white, which represents peace and honesty. Finally, you’ll see blue at the bottom, which means truth and justice.
The orange strip has also been associated with some of the most iconic moments and figures in football. While Real Madrid’s famous white and gold kit is immediately linked with glory, Barcelona’s Blaugrana shirts are synonymous with Catalan footballing resurgence and Lionel Messi, The Netherlands’ ‘Oranje’ uniform serves also as a reminder of the 1970s and the principles of total football.
During that period, Dutch teams like Rinus Michels’ Ajax pioneered tactical innovations. Fundamentally changing the way football was played, the ‘Total Football’ system emphasised fluidity, versatility, and players’ ability to interchange positions seamlessly during a game for the best outcome at the end.
It made a starring appearance when Ajax lifted the European Cup three years on the trot from 1971 to 1973, while The Netherlands would be runners-up in the 1974 World Cup, and those who played under this imaginative umbrella would be likened to those of “artists, writers, even ballerinas”.
Ever since the 70s, successful coaches like Pep Guardiola have taken on the ideals and tweaked them for his own teams to create bastions of invincibility in the form of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and, most recently, Manchester City. This proves how influential the Dutch were in moulding today’s beautiful game, and through the orange kit, memories of that period attain an everlasting status within the sport. Players such as Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, among many others, have also helped keep the orange shirt famous.
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The Legendary ‘Oranje’ Fans
Wherever the Dutch national team plays, you’ll usually spot a sea of orange filling the stands, with supporters embracing the color just as passionately as the players themselves. It has become one of the most recognisable sights in international football, with entire sections of stadiums transformed into a wall of bright orange shirts, hats and flags whenever the Netherlands take to the pitch.
That same sense of fun and identity extends to the famous ‘Links Rechts’ song, Snollebollekes. English-speaking fans probably know it better as “the Left Right Song”, which is now one of their main adopted songs. Its catchy and repetitive nature has made it a pre-match ritual for the thousands of fans that line the streets, regularly going viral online during tournaments. Together, the color and the chant have helped create a matchday atmosphere that is instantly associated with Dutch football, regardless of how the team itself performs on the day.
Sports
Liverpool to Make £100m Bid for RB Leipzig Winger Yan Diomande
Liverpool are set to make a £100 million offer to sign a new forward during the summer transfer window.
It appears that the Merseyside club are looking to splash the cash once again, just as they did last summer.
Liverpool recently confirmed the appointment of Andoni Iraola, and the board will be looking to give him the right tools to implement his style and achieve things at the club.
The Reds have already confirmed the signing of Victor Munoz after they hijacked a deal by Newcastle to bring him in from Osasuna.
Liverpool do need to be active in the current window in order to replace Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who have all left the club on free transfers.
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According to a report from Dave Ockop, Liverpool are expected to make another bid to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande in the summer transfer window.
The Reds recently saw an offer in the region of £87 million rejected by Leipzig, but talks have continued over a possible deal.
The report claims that Liverpool are ready to submit an offer in the region of £100m, which would be closer to the Bundesliga side’s valuation.
Diomande has previously claimed that he wants to play for Liverpool one day. It should be a straightforward deal for them to get over the line if they can agree a fee with Leipzig.
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Diomande One of the Best Young Talents in Europe
Diomande, described as unstoppable by journalist Bence Bocsak, is undoubtedly one of the highest-rated talents in Europe at the moment.
The Ivory Coast winger is currently starring at the World Cup, and he put his name up in lights in their opening game of the tournament.
Clubs like Liverpool were already well aware of Diomande’s talents before the tournament started, and they have been pushing to sign him over the last few months.
Liverpool will want to get a deal over the line quickly before other clubs enter the race, especially if he enjoys a phenomenal World Cup, as many would expect him to.
Sports
Jesse Marsch Antics Slammed Despite Canada 6-0 Qatar
It was a historic outing in the World Cup for Canada against Qatar, as the tournament hosts picked up their first win of the summer, and their first-ever in the entire history of the FIFA compettion. Not only that, but they did so in emphatic fashion, winning 6-0.
Jesse Marsch watched on delighted as Jonathan David scored a hat-trick, while Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba and Mohamed Manai also added to the scoring. There were two red cards to Qatari players Homam Al Amin and Assim Omer Madibo, with the latter sent off for his horror foul on Ismael Kone.
If that wasn’t enough drama, Canada manager Marsch then clashed with Qatar boss Julen Lopetegui at full-time, with the former seen nodding his head during a conversation, before suddenly flinging his arms in the air and storming off. It’s claimed Lopetegui was unhappy with Marsch’s tactics against his nine-man team.
Marsch Slammed Over ‘Ridiculous’ Behaviour as Canada Manager
Throughout the game and even when speaking to the press after the win, Marsch was very animated. He was even seen holding six fingers in the air to the Vancouver crowd to signal the 6-0 win. These antics didn’t go down well with everyone, though.
Over in Ireland, Alan Cawley was covering the game for RTE, and he took issue with the Canada boss, calling for more ‘class’ on the touchline:
“Have a bit of class and decorum about what you’ve just beaten. And it’s only the second game of the tournament, so just put a lid on it! Cool your jets a little bit. He’s talking about a national movement in the interview.”
Cawley’s co-host then pointed out that Marsch was just trying to get more Canadian fans ‘onside’, with many probably new to the sport. Cawley, however, hit back:
“He doesn’t need to try and get them onside because they’re hosting, they [the fans] are already there, they’re involved. He was doing a rallying call in every press conference; it was the same at Leeds [United], it’s the same everywhere.
“That’s the way he carries on, but it’s nonsense! It’s absolute nonsense. Even if you listen to some of the stuff that’s coming out of his mouth, it’s ridiculous.”
On the former Leeds United manager, Cawley concluded: “In fairness, I praised him on one hand, but just have a bit of decorum, a bit of class.”
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World Cup Fans Baffled By Cawley’s Criticism of Marsch
Canada fans online were quick to defend their national team manager, explaining how it was only natural that Marsch should be delighted with the win, having seen his side pick up a victory for the first time ever at a World Cup. One explained:
“We won our first World Cup game ever, in front of a home crowd, by the largest margin that anyone outside of Europe or South America has ever won a WC game, despite one of our best players having his leg broken mid-game. We should’ve celebrated even harder tbh.”
Another said: “Mate it’s our first win in a World Cup. It’s a huge moment for our national team. We’re all really excited. Have a bit of fun with it will ya.”
One more added: “Boy this guy’s completely lost it. Clearly doesn’t like Marsch from Leeds & uses that to paint his own argument. Let us celebrate. It’s not JUST that we beat Qatar, it’s our first EVER World Cup victory.”
A fourth wrore: “Unbelievable commentary. How is this guy employed to give takes with the emotional regulation of a toddler that just dropped their ice cream. Humiliating.”
Even neutrals were baffled by the criticism, with one saying: “More embarrassing punditry from the mighty RTE again. You now can’t celebrate your first World cup win while its at home because of who you played. And they got players sent off? As if that’s Canada’s fault. Embarrassing amateur stuff all competition so far well done all involved.”
While an Irish fan noted: “If we beat someone in the World Cup by six goals, there’d be a bank holiday.” Someone else summed up the feeling online: “Really strange take on Jesse Marsch. God forbid the manager shows a bit of emotion when his team win 6-0 at a home World Cup and one of their best players has their leg broken in the same game.”
Sports
Christian Pulisic Injured For World Cup Match
Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of USA’s World Cup group match against Australia on Friday night, with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino having to handle an important second match without his ‘Captain America.’
The AC Milan winger was removed as a precaution at halftime of the side’s first game of the tournament, against Paraguay a week ago. His status for Friday’s meeting with Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle uncertain since, and he has remained a talking point as one of the best players in this summer’s tournament.
Despite registering an assist in their 4-1 opening win, Pulisic didn’t get on the scoresheet in Los Angeles. Pochettino will be hoping Folarin Balogun will deliver another quality display to keep his red-hot form going.
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The Athletic has confirmed the 27-year-old will stay sidelined with an ongoing calf injury. “Christian is not available,” manager Pochettino said just before the lineups were announced.
“The evolution is really well. Today he was training in the morning in the training camp. I think the feelings are good, I hope as soon as possible he will be ready to play again and be part of the team.”
Ricardo Pepi will start in his place, with a win going a long way in helping the Stars and Stripes qualify for the Round of 32 after they pulled out in front in Group D on goal difference in matchweek one.
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Of course, of the three hosts, Mexico are historically the strongest outsiders at the tournament, but the United States kicked things off well last week. With a strong feel-good factor and excitement around the camp, Pochettino’s side could well prove to be a dark horse this summer.
Under his guidance, they have played with a real sense of freedom, and the fact that Pulisic didn’t get on the scoresheet yet they still managed four goals is a testament to the depth of talent now coming through. It also highlights how the country – long thought to be less interested in football – has steadily grown in the sport’s popularity in recent years, with more players emerging as a result.
Sterner tests are yet to come, but form can go a long way in tournament football – something the manager will be well aware after taking a under-funded Tottenham team to the Champions League final in 2019.
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