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Basel overwhelmed by Oranje invasion

Having turned Berne into the Dutch capital in recent weeks, more than 80,000 Netherlands fans are in Basel for the quarter-final match against Russia.

Netherlands fans in Basel
Netherlands fans in Basel ©Getty Images

Having turned Berne into the Dutch capital over the past few weeks, the Netherlands' huge travelling support have flooded the streets of Basel ahead of Saturday's UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-final against Russia at St. Jakob-Park.

Huge crowd
According to the latest estimates, between 100,000 and 150,000 people are on the streets of the Swiss city, with the vast majority either Dutch or having Dutch heritage. The local population have embraced the mood, many donning orange outfits to join the visitors from the Low Country. "We think certainly 80,000 [Dutch fans] are here," said Henk Groenevelt, leader of the Dutch police team who are in Switzerland to assist the local force. "It could also be 90,000 just as easily, it's hard to say."

Temperatures high
Around 25,000 fans have congregated on the Kaserne-Riviera, while a further 10,000 have gathered in the city's two main squares, the Munsterplatz and Marktplatz. With temperatures reaching 30C the fire department have used their hoses to cool down the Oranje masses, who have been in celebratory mood alongside local fans. Supporters of Germany, Turkey and Croatia joined the party on the eve of the game, which continued until the early hours of the morning.

Van Basten phones home
Although it is increasingly difficult to find a place to sleep for the night, the availability of 245,000 litres of beer has helped ensure a party atmosphere, with one Dutch fan breaking off from another burst of singing to say: "We'll just lie down somewhere on the grass." Even coach Marco van Basten has been surprised by the influx, joking: "Perhaps I'll call home to check if everything is still there, with all the Dutch being here."

Miss Oranje
Before the orange tide flowed towards St. Jakob-Park, tens of thousands celebrated the traditional Oranje festival, including the selection of Miss Oranje for the day – a ritual that has taken place on every Netherlands matchday, with the celebrations broadcast live on the internet. Yvette van Abeelen, a 25-year-old from Tillburg, was the latest winner, and said: "This is a huge honour for me, being selected as a Miss Oranje in front of so many people. I will tell my children about this. This is a perfect day for me. I found a place to sleep, was selected as Miss Oranje and even have a ticket for the game."
  
Boulahrouz support
The Netherlands fans took time out from their celebrations, however, to show their respects to Khalid Boulahrouz and his family following the death of the defender's prematurely born daughter. Thousands of fans gathered to sing "You'll never walk alone" in tribute.