Netherlands

Home 2006-08; Nike

I love this shirt.  I have done since I first saw it.  The simplicity, no unnecessary black trim; the larger badge giving it a nice retro look and also looks great up close; the opening of the collar is fantastic and the cut which sits very well on the body.  Unfortunately I had admired it from afar until I called into a local charity shop and there it was, in my size, in great condition and only €5.  Sold!

This was worn at the 2006 World Cup, where Oranje sadly said goodbye after the second round. Underachieving at tournaments is something of a tradition for the team.  In fact,they hold the record for most World Cup final appearances without winning it. The only major tournament they have won, is the 1988 European Championships, and in fairness to them, they won it in style with this Marco Van Basten goal in the final being the icing on the cake. Van Basten also took the Golden Boot award away from the tournament.

Given the legacy of the Dutch school of Total Football, it is possibly surprising that they haven't won more.  However, the national team has long been dogged with accusations of in-fighting and bad feelings amongst players.

As a nation, it is rightly or wrongly best known in general for the goings on of tourists in Amsterdam, and also for its liberal attitudes to law and life.