Double Dutch (part deux)
There has been an entertaining, and educational, discussion on these pages about what we should call the Dutch team during the World Cup.
Obviously, this is no longer much of an issue, following the team's untimely demise in the second round (and incidentally, I was as gutted as anyone that they went out, as The Oranje have long been my second international team - my early years having coincided with all that total football of the '70s).
But the aftermath of the Dutch defeat to Portugal feels like a good opportunity to revisit the subject of names...
I knew when I posted my original entry that this issue would spark a healthy debate - and the point has subsequently been made that while the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ persists with "Holland", ITV use "Netherlands" (although interestingly, not on their ).
So I just wanted to reiterate that, while I recognise our use of "Holland" is not the accurate definition of the country itsef, I do feel it is a better label for the football team than "the Netherlands".
And, in response to Phil Gillespie's thought-provoking views on the subject (see comments 9 and 17), I don't think this is a simple case of confusing different nationalities. I share his frustration that the terms "Britain" and "England" are often interchangeable to foreigners - and that the nationalities of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are sometimes overlooked by those who are unaware of the make-up of the UK.
But the material distinction in the Dutch example is that the people who actually support, and indeed play for, this football team call it "Holland". In that respect it is wholly different from the UK example (somehow I can't see the Tartan Army branding their team "England", can you?).
But don't just take my word for it - here are a few quotes I've spotted in the media since the Dutch team crashed out of the World Cup (my italics throughout):
This one comes from the Netherlands' most famous footballing son, Johan Cruyff, offering his verdict on the team's demise: "Holland were put in a situation that if Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie were not playing well there was no alternative."
Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar said this, after the 0-0 draw with Argentina: "I'm at least happy I kept a clean sheet and played my 112th match for Holland and equalled the record."
And I spotted this report from the Associated Press agency, which would appear to capture how the supporters themselves see their team: "With mournful music, state-financed NOS television Monday showed images of fans taking down orange 'Go Holland' signs, rolling up strings of orange flags, and throwing orange lederhosen and other gimmickry in the trash."
Finally, I heard this poignant message from a Dutch fan on TV: "It doesn't matter. It's over. The world championship is over for Holland."
It is indeed. But I for one look forward to seeing a rejuvenated Holland side back in action for Euro 2008. And in the meantime I hope everyone in the Netherlands enjoys the rest of the World Cup...
