Dutch celebrate World Cup team

AMSTERDAM - Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk and outgoing captain Giovanni von Bronckhorst have been honoured as Knights of the Order of Oranje Nassau at the start of Tuesday’s World Cup team celebration marathon.

The two were knighted at a reception of the World Cup team by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende at his The Hague residence, two days after the team lost the final in Johannesburg 1-0 against Spain.

Van Marwijk said he was “speechless” about the honour. Van Bronckhorst, who played his last national team game Sunday, said: “We are still a little disappointed but after a while we will think back at it with a smile.”

The knighthood is bestowed by Queen Beatrix, who was due to receive the team later Tuesday in The Hague. A ceremonial boat tour through Amsterdam’s canals and an open air party later in the day was to round off the celebrations, with huge crowds expected.

Balkenende praised the team for its achievements at the tournament in South Africa and expressed his hope that there won’t be another long wait until a Dutch team makes the World Cup final again.

“Let’s not wait another 32 years for a World Cup final,” he said, looking back at the last appearance in 1978.

The Dutch are yet to lift the trophy, losing to West Germany in 1974, to Argentina in 1978 and again to Spain Sunday.