Johan Cruijff 1974 World Cup Golden Ball

Lore & Background

The team is colloquially referred to as Het Nederlands Elftal (The Dutch Eleven) or Oranje, after the House of Orange-Nassau and their distinctive orange jerseys. Their fan club is known as Het Oranje Legioen (The Orange Legion). The Netherlands has competed in eleven FIFA World Cups, appearing in the final three times (in 1974, 1978, and 2010), finishing as runners-up on all three occasions. They have also appeared in eleven UEFA European Championships, winning the 1988 tournament in West Germany. Additionally, the team has won bronze medals at three Olympic football tournaments, in 1908, 1912, and 1920. The Netherlands has long-standing football rivalries with neighbours Belgium and Germany as well as the South American country of Argentina.

Reader's Guide

During the 1970s, the team adopted the Total Football strategy pioneered by Ajax, and led by playmaker Johan Cruyff and national team head coach Rinus Michels. The Netherlands made significant strides, qualifying for two World Cup finals in the decade. In 1974, the Netherlands beat both Brazil and Argentina in the second group stage, reaching the final for the first time in their history. However, they lost to West Germany in the final in Munich, after having gone up 1–0 through Johan Neeskens' early penalty kick before a German had even touched the ball. However, a penalty by Paul Breitner and the winner from Gerd Müller, led to a victory for the Germans.

Did You Know?

• The Netherlands played their first international match against Belgium on 30 April 1905, winning 4–1 after extra time.
• Eddy de Neve scored three goals in that first match, though some historians attribute one to Willem Hesselink.
• The Netherlands won their first major tournament at Euro 1988, defeating the Soviet Union 2–0 in the final.
• Johan Cruyff did not participate in the 1978 World Cup after a kidnapping attempt targeting him and his family.