Home sweet home for Dutch

By Svend Frandsen

Rafael van der Vaart, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Mateja Kezman. One week into the new season, and the Dutch league is brimming with stars who would not be out of place in the glamour leagues of Italy and Spain.

Staying put
The presence of such world-class talent is just one signal of a return to better times for football in the Netherlands. Ever since the Bosman ruling in 1995, Dutch football has struggled to live up to the glory days of the early 1970s before its homegrown talents were swept up by the financially strong Latin clubs.

Plenty of positives
Last night's 1-0 friendly win in Norway was also a positive sign, with young talent such as Andy van der Meyde being given a chance to shine alongside the established names like Ruud van Nistelrooij. Although efforts to truly rid Dutch football of its hooligan minority have yet to fully work, the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) and Dutch fans have plenty of positives to latch on to, especially in the fortunes of the top three clubs: Feyenoord, AFC Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.

Fame and fortune
As such stars like Mark van Bommel, Kevin Hofland, Anthony Lurling and Victor Sikora have all chosen to remain at home this summer instead of seeking fame and fortune abroad. Lurling, who turned down foreign overtures and opted for Feyenoord when he left SC Heerenveen, was in no doubt about why he chose De Kuip. "What do you mean?" said the striker. "I have just signed for the UEFA Cup winners." Lurling's remark illustrates well the restored belief in Dutch clubs.

'We have a shot'
Optimism seems on a high in the small football-crazed nation and Egyptian striker Mido believes Ajax can make an impact in the UEFA Champions League. "We have the selection and the possibilities to surprise. We are a young team, but I consider it more positive then negative. This group really wants to show something. The last success in Europe was in 1995 and was also achieved with a young side. We'll definitely have a shot at it."

New breed
There is a new breed of promising youngsters in the Netherlands who feel they have something to prove in the Eresdivisie before making the big step abroad. This also swayed winger Sikora to change his mind at the last minute and sign for Dutch double winners Ajax instead of moving to the bright lights of London and Fulham FC.

Sitting it out
Indeed hesitancy about leaving the Netherlands seems well founded. Experienced internationals like Michael Reiziger and Winston Bogarde have recently had to settle for places on the bench at FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC respectively. Even Jari Litmanen, who at Ajax in the 1990s was one of the Champions League's top performers, has been confined to a bit-part role at Liverpool FC.

Hiddink hope
In Eindhoven, PSV will aim to make the most of the return of Guus Hiddink, who led the Korean Republic to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup. Hiddink was also in charge when PSV won the 1988 European Champion Clubs' Cup against SL Benfica and his homecoming has no doubt inspired Van Bommel and Hofland to stay yet another season with PSV in the hope that European glory may be waiting on their doorstep.

'Enormous quality'
Upon taking charge of the national side earlier this year, Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat explained why he too had decided to return home. "I think there's still enormous quality in the Dutch team and that was the most important reason for taking the job," he said. "It's high time for achievements." At club and international level, the Dutch seem well on their way to doing just that.