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Dutch fans making the most noise
Posted: Wednesday June 28, 2000 01:39 PM
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Dutch fans have taken over Euro 2000 - even in co-host Belgium. Portuguese and French fans mingled peaceful in the sun-drenched Grand' Place ahead of their teams' semifinal clash Wednesday's but those making the most noise were clad in orange. By some estimates, up to 7000 Dutch fans had traveled down to their southern neighbor Wednesday. Many of the Dutch fans had hoarded tickets for the Brussels semifinal in case the Netherlands would have qualified for the game. Instead, the Dutch play Italy in Amsterdam on Thursday. On the cobblestoned streets of Amsterdam, there was no doubting who the Dutch fans were hoping to meet in the final. "Portugal, Portugal" shouted a group of Oranje fans enjoying a beer on the terrace of the Roi d'Espagne tavern on the medieval square. "They play such good offensive soccer," said Cor van der Tas. "But they won't beat Holland. Holland will beat everyone," he said. Belgium was already eliminated in the first round and its fans kept a low profile. While Dutch fans chanted, the French and Portuguese fans were getting down to the more serious business of prematch lunch in winding alleys around the Grand' Place. Tables were packed with fans in crimson-green-gold shirt and the French tricolore, tucking into plates of mussels and fries. Despite the friendly atmosphere the police presence was highly visible with several dog units patrolling the cobblestoned square and extra units restricting access to the city landmark. Portuguese fans well outnumbered the French. Belgium as some 35,000 Portuguese immigrants and they were joined by busloads from France, which is home to almost a million immigrants from Portugal.
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