Hans van Breukelen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Van Breukelen grew up in De Bilt, where he played in the BVC youth academy. In 1976, he moved to Utrecht, where he played 142 matches. After two years with Nottingham Forest, Van Breukelen moved to PSV Eindhoven in 1984. With PSV, he won six league titles and three domestic cups. In 1988, Van Breukelen also won the European Cup as part of the Treble after saving Benfica's sixth penalty in the shoot-out. In the Netherlands, he was named Goalkeeper of the Year four times. Van Breukelen played 73 caps for the Netherlands national team. At UEFA Euro 1988 with the Netherlands, Van Breukelen stopped a penalty in the final. He also appeared at the 1990 World Cup and UEFA Euro 1992. After his career, he became an entrepreneur in different non-football business ventures, although he served as director of football at FC Utrecht and was a member of the PSV board of directors from 2010 to 2016.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the De Kuip is deafening as the clock ticks down on a tense European night. Van Breukelen stands tall in his red and white kit, eyes locked on the approaching striker. The ball rises high into the floodlights; he leaps with a ferocity that seems to defy gravity, punching it clear just inches from the net. A collective exhale sweeps through the stadium as the danger passes, and Hansie turns to rally his teammates, already preparing for the next wave.

Reader's Guide

Van Breukelen started out in the Utrecht reserve team, but soon became the club's third goalkeeper. He made his official debut on 20 March 1977. He later became first-choice for four years. In 1982, Utrecht faced bankruptcy and sold Van Breukelen to Nottingham Forest. After Peter Shilton had left, coach Brian Clough picked Van Breukelen as his new goalkeeper. After the 1983–84 season, he left England due to arguments about international call-ups. He returned to the Netherlands to play for PSV Eindhoven. In 1987, an error against Feyenoord became known as 'het polletje van Van Breukelen'. In the 1987–88 season, PSV won the league, KNVB Cup, and European Cup. In the European Cup final against Benfica, he saved a penalty in the shoot-out. He retired in 1994 after a testimonial match.

Did You Know?

• Van Breukelen is one of five European players to ever win a Treble with their club and a cup with their national team in the same year.
• He saved a penalty in the Euro 1988 final against the Soviet Union.
• His 73 caps for the Netherlands were a record for a Dutch goalkeeper until Edwin van der Sar surpassed it in 2003.
• He studied pedagogy and taught in schools even after signing for Utrecht.