Fans hope ‘Orange Street’ guides Dutch to World Cup victory
THE HAGUE: Danny van Dijk thinks that this time turning his street in The Hague completely orange is going to work, as the Netherlands again target a long-awaited first World Cup title. For 26 years, whenever the Dutch play in a major football championship, Van Dijk and other residents have turned Marktweg into “Orange Street.” He stands in an orange sea. The houses are draped in orange tarpaulins, orange pennants stretch across the road, and giant photos of orange-clad players are plastered on orange-sheeted lamp-posts and trees. People come from all over the country to see it. Despite this unwavering support, the Netherlands, three-time finalists, have never won the World Cup, but this year, Van Dijk has “a good feeling — we’re going to win.” Some 77km of flags line the street, in tribute to his mother, who passed away in March at the age of 77 and was a former figurehead of the event.
