Dutch honour Jong Oranje

The Netherlands Under-21 team and their coach Foppe de Haan have been named team and coach of the year by the Dutch Olympic Committee after successfully defending their European crown on home soil in June.

Staff praised
The Jong Oranje had never triumphed in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship prior to De Haan's appointment in 2004, but the former SC Heerenveen boss proved their maiden success in Portugal in 2006 was no fluke as his exciting young side defeated Serbia 4-1 in this summer's final in Groningen. "When different pieces fit together well, then it's just a question of fine-tuning," said the coach at the Rai Congress Hall in Amsterdam. "But the team under the team is of huge importance, and these are the people I have to thank."

Award shared
Although the Dutch were favourites to land the team gong, it was by no means a certainty as AFC Ajax were the last from the field of football to do so following their UEFA Champions League triumph in 1995. De Haan shared his award with Robert Eenhoorn, who guided the national team to glory in the 20th European Baseball Championship in Spain.