What a game and what an amazing euphoria swamped the Netherlands night following yesterday's 3-2 victory over Uruguay in the semi-final of the World Cup. Thousands of Orange fans celebrated the victory, washing the country in an Orange wave.
According to estimations, about 50,000 people watched the game over the giant screen at Museumplein Amsterdam. Many more viewed it at home.
It is not relevant if you like football or even understand anything about it. These days you are probably dealing with football more than ever. It is the day's conversation, the hottest subject and it is about Dutch pride.
Locals, foreigners, expats, immigrants and tourists have abandoned all disagreements for a while and danced happily together. We tend to assume that the people from PVV are very worried nowadays...
The parties have continued all night long and we are all waiting to the final game on Sunday. If the Dutch team wins and we truly hope they will, you would witness one of the craziest parties ever making Queen's day look poor in comparison.
Hup Holland Hup!
World Cup 2010 Semi final moments in Amsterdam Museumplein
With Iran's declaration of the new nuclear reactor in Busher being operational, we thought to mention that here as a land mark that may have been ignored by the world opinion.
Much has been said about Iran's nuclear program that defy world's opinion and we can't add much to it.
We can however add the following short parody that would be very funny if it wasn't true.
Sail Amsterdam 2010
Once in every five years they all come back to Amsterdam. Tall ships from all over the world are forming Sail Amsterdam a mega event for anyone that likes sailing, boating and maritime life. Naturally, the festivity addresses many other people that are being attracted to the event due to its nature.
Sail Amsterdam, 2010 will start this Tuesday with an impressive sail in of all participating ships, starting at Ijmuiden and ending up in Amsterdam port.
SAIL Amsterdam fleet will be accompanied by an extensive sports and cultural program. Every day during SAIL, there will be all kinds of activities at various locations that are free to the public. In other words, SAIL is one big celebration for everyone and you don't even need to be a boat lover or water sports enthusiast! All age groups have been taken into account, so children will have plenty to do at SAIL.
It was the highlight and end event of a weeklong gay celebration, traditionally held in Amsterdam every year.
All was set to go: the boats, the costumes and the happy people, gay or not. Only the local Dutch weather was not in on the event and strike in a mean rainy day. The weather forecast predicted the morning rain but did mention partially cloudy weather afternoon with possible rain. However, we got the rain only and lots of it.
It was pity to realize how much stormy weather can influence such parade and ignore all the preparations, but a major complement goes to the participants and crowd that did come to cheer the event. The people and celebrators sailed on the canals despite of the weather and had a great party.
The parties continued on land throughout the night in somewhat dryer climate.
The canal parade was as usual spectacular, colorful and impressive. The customs and boats reflected the efforts invested in them and generated a beautiful view.
The Dutch decided to overcome the loss in the world cup finals and focus on the celebrations for welcoming the second best football team.
Two F-16 fighters escorted the team's KLM flight on entrance to the Dutch air space. The three aircraft approached Shiphol airport in low altitude over Amsterdam generating rare and spectacular view for below cheering supporters.
After a welcome from the Queen the football team cruised on Amsterdam canals looking at thousands of supporters of which some could not help it and jumped to the water.
The team ended the day in a major rally at Museumplein Amsterdam where thousands of people came to celebrate the achievement. As so nicely put at the event: Spain might be the world champion, but we have the best supporters in the world.
Dutch celebrations after World cup semi finals
We have met Cecile & Elsa at Museumplein right after the Dutch victory at World Cup semi finals.
The two are former Bavaria girls, no not the ones that were arrested in South Africa, but ones with better luck. They had a great time cheering for the Dutch team and would like to share that with our readers and viewers.
The interview is a bit hectic, but does say it all.
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