THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Netherlands’ season opener is fast approaching world cup During the match, soccer fans are again enveloped in orange fever.
The mood of euphoric optimism that comes with every economic boom is absent in parts of this country. national team Playing at the World Cup is more obvious than playing at Marktweg in The Hague. There, the local community has banded together to squeeze as many oranges as possible into nearly every square inch of the street.
From the thousands of small flags fluttering on the roads to the facades of houses, trees and streetlights, everything is orange, except for a few places that fly the red, white and blue of the Dutch flag.
There are numerous depictions of the lion, another national symbol, many wearing the striking orange soccer shirts of the team known simply as “Orange” (meaning orange in Dutch).
Over the years, this Orange hub has become a popular destination for fans and an event that brings together neighbors to change streets over the course of several weeks.
Organizer Danny van Dijk told The Associated Press during a visit on Tuesday: “So far I haven’t met anyone who has said, ‘I don’t like it’ or complained.” “So far, I’ve only heard positive things.”
A small red, white and blue caravan stands at an intersection surrounded by orange mesh and carries a banner identifying it as ‘The Hague Orange Campsite’, a nod to the accommodation choice of Dutch soccer fans.
It will be a big draw for fans who don’t travel to the United States. The Netherlands open Group F against Japan in Dallas on Sunday, face Sweden in Houston on June 20, and conclude the group stage game against Tunisia in Kansas City six days later.
The country’s king, queen, and crown princess will be in attendance. houston I will watch the game against Sweden. Curacaois part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and plays against Ecuador. The country’s colors are derived from the royal surname Orange-Nassau.
The Netherlands, a small country with a population of around 18 million people, have often outperformed themselves at the World Cup, reaching the finals three times in 1974, 1978 and 2010, but have never won the title.
If a World Cup for Street Decorators were to be held, the Marktweg residents would be serious contenders.
“The street is beautifully decorated. It’s so orange. It must have been a lot of work,” said Rob van Rosmalen, an amateur photographer who visited the street on Tuesday. “And it’s great to see all the neighbors working together. I think that’s good for the neighborhood atmosphere.”
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
