WATCH: ‘Pumped up’ Dutch fans paint Hamburg orange ahead of Netherlands’ Euro opener

Fans of every national team might claim to be the most passionate, but few are as vibrant and vocal as the Dutch.

WATCH: ‘Pumped up’ Dutch fans paint Hamburg orange ahead of Netherlands’ Euro opener

Dutch fans painted Hamburg in orange. (via IMAGO)

Dutch fans arrived in droves for their national team’s European Championship opener against Poland, turning the streets of Hamburg into a sea of orange. Renowned for their spirited support, the Orange army paraded through the city’s roads.

An estimated 30,000 Dutch fans were present for the parade through the streets of Hamburg, with 15,000 of those having tickets for the Netherlands’ game against Poland. Thousands of fans dressed in orange jerseys, some in t-shirts featuring the name of Dutch legends Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Dennis Bergkamp, while a few others in weird suits, were seen marching towards the Volksparkstadion in Hambrug.

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As the sea of Orange fans danced along the tunes of their popular football anthem, Freed from Desire, there were also some captured swaying on top of their iconic Orange double-decker buses. This is not the first time that the Dutch fans arrived at their home nation’s matches with such pomp and splendor. A similar atmosphere was visible during Netherlands’ matches at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and the UEFA Euros 2020.

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Meanwhile, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk highlighted the importance of fans’ support, emphasizing the need for their presence during the matches. He and the team will be fancying their chances in a group that features formidable opponents in France, Austria and Poland.

Virgil van Dijk to lead a star-studded Netherlands side at the 2024 Euros

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will lead a 26-man star studded Netherlands side, which will compete at the European Championships in Germany, this summer. The 7th-ranked footballing nation is viewed as a strong contender for the prestigious continental title.

Netherlands football team
Virgil van Dijk-led Netherlands national football team. (IMAGO)

The team aims to secure their second European Championship title, having first won in 1988. This would be especially significant for manager Ronald Koeman, a member of the victorious 1988 squad. The 2024 squad feature many young talents including Bart Verbruggen, Xavi Simons, Tijjani Reijnders, Ryan Gravenberch, Brian Brobbey and Joshua Zirkzee.

However, they will be without their key midfielders, Teun Koopmeiners and Frenkie de Jong, due to injuries. The experienced group of players like Daley Blind, Stefan de Vrij and Georginio Wijnaldum will also be to look out for.

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