National coach Staffan Olsson has included Volendam handball player Evert Kooijman in the World Cup selection. Samir Benghanem and Jeffrey Boomhouwer van Aalsmeer are also part of the final selection. “I am very happy that I can finally play a final tournament”, says an enthusiastic Kooijman.
For the first time since 1961, the Orange is participating in a World Cup again. Kooijman suffered a serious injury last year, but has fully recovered from it. “I have missed two European championships. In recent months I have trained hard to get back to level. It is very nice that I am now being rewarded,” says Kooijman.
A personal call from the national coach was not an option for Kooijman. The circle player heard the good news in a different way. “I got a corona booster yesterday. It is necessary to be able to participate in the World Cup. I was still a bit sick today and was taking a nap. At eleven o’clock I received a message and I woke up with the news that I’m going to the World Cup”
There was less good news for Aalsmeer keeper René de Knegt and Volendam player Robin Nagtegaal. They are not included in the selection.
Preparation
In preparation for the World Cup, the Orange squad will play an exhibition match in and against France on January 4. Three days later, another exhibition game is scheduled against a team yet to be determined.
The World Cup will be held in Poland and Sweden from 12 to 29 January. The Netherlands is in group F with Norway, Argentina and North Macedonia. On January 13, the tournament starts for the Orange with a match against the Argentinians.