“Go Holland Go. Don’t leave the lion in his shirt.” Orange songs echo across the terrace on the Markt in Eindhoven, sung by a number of fans from Best. They are convinced that the Dutch team will easily beat Greece on Thursday evening and they are not the only ones. The Greeks present take it seriously.
The sun is shining, the beer is flowing and so many football fans with a ticket for the sold-out match have taken a day off to ‘drink in’ on the terrace.
“We were here at half past two. It is super fun and is getting busier by the minute. There are Greek supporters across the street,” says a fan from Best who expects a 3-1 victory.
The Dutch last played football in 2021 in Eindhoven. And the fan thinks that’s a shame. “The atmosphere here is much better than in Rotterdam or Amsterdam,” he says. “As a Brabander, I am biased. But no other city can match this atmosphere.”
“I expect a 3-0 win.”
Leon from Venlo often attends matches of the Dutch national team. For example, he will travel to Dublin with his daughter on Sunday for the match against Ireland. “I expect a 3-0 win now and 6-0 on Sunday. Yes, that is very positive, but you have to have a positive outlook on life.”
He is less pleased with the atmosphere in Eindhoven. “All bars at Stratumseind are closed.”
Frits from Zaandam is ready for it with a lion cap and orange king’s mantle. “For me it is worthless that it is so far to travel now. I have taken a hotel. If I have a match in Amsterdam I can still go home afterwards.” He’s ready for it. “Now enjoy the fun in the city and hope for a good match tonight.”
“My wife is just like the in-laws for Greece”
Dennis Kuylaars is co-owner of restaurant De Wildeman. He is happy with the hustle and bustle in the city. “The city is alive. The PSV stadium is the only stadium in the Netherlands that is located in the center. That is good for the catering industry,” says Kuylaars, who is married to a Greek woman.
“Tonight she is for Greece, just like the entire in-laws. But the Netherlands will win.”
Geert Rooijakkers also thinks so, who bets on 3-0 or 4-0. “I don’t expect much from Greece. We will win 100 percent.” He enjoys the atmosphere in the city. “Nice. The PSV stadium is also the best to play in.”
“The atmosphere in the city is great”
“Holland is going to win,” says a Greek wearing a Max Verstappen cap. “Holland has a better team, but we will fight. I think the atmosphere here in the city is great, everyone is wearing orange, but tonight part of the stadium will turn blue and white.”
