Orange-clad fans gathered on Hamilton and Granville streets and on Commercial Drive in Vancouver yesterday to cheer on the Netherlands, a team seeking its first World Cup title.
But a goal by midfielder Andres Iniesta in extra time sucked the wind out of the Dutch sails.
Or, in their case, perhaps windmills.
Holland, thwarted yet again in its third World Cup final appearance, will need to wait at least four more years for another shot.
But, as fan Justin van Hove noted, despite the disappointment of the outcome, it’s not as if the Oranje failed to exceed expectations.
“I thought Netherlands would make the semifinals at best,” he said.
Andrew Persoon, a Vancouverite of Rhenish heritage, added that all is not lost.
“I’m still very happy. The team’s achievement has made me more in touch with my roots, and that’s worth more to me than a trophy.”
The next World Cup tournament will take place in Brazil in June and July of 2014.
kyle farquharson,
with files from natasha poon
