Skip to main content
Netherlands News in English

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
KNVB football
KNVB football - Credit: gustavofrazao / DepositPhotos - License: DepositPhotos
Sports
Brazil
FIFA
football
goal
header
Netherlands beats Spain
Netherlands v. Spain
Persie
Robin van Persie
Van Persie
World Cup
World Cup 2015
Monday, 16 June 2014 - 10:51

Share this article:

New Twitter meme: #persieing

The spectacular header from Robin van Persie, which equalized The Netherlands with Spain 1-1 in Oranje's debut World Cup 2014 match has become a Twitter sensation with people mimicking Van Persie's graceful nose dive and calling it #persieing.

The match was highly anticipated, and branded the 'revenge game'. It was an opportunity for The Netherlands to win back some glory after the 2010 World Cup finals in which Spain beat them 1-0. And revenge it was, five-fold.

The Dutch players not only won, but they surprised the entire world with a 5-1 victory which made the previous underdogs look like serious contenders to take the cup this year. Louis van Gaal's controversial 5-3-2 formation, which was untested, proved successful.

The first goal from the Dutch side was provided by Van Persie who dove head first into the grass to deliver a glorious header, which equalled the score. After that, Twitter exploded with people mimicking the footballer under the hashtag #persieing.

Not only Dutch people, but also foreigners are taking part in the meme.

#persieing lol my dog Bocuse pic.twitter.com/w4VPMBSxfw

— DaThestaJacobsdeBok 🧘‍♀️🤟 (@JolandaDaThesta) June 16, 2014

Well okay then, the very very last one. #Persieing pic.twitter.com/8KMoGg7YEZ

— KEᑎᑎETᕼ ᗩᗷᖇᗩᕼᗩᗰ (@curacaoken) June 15, 2014

More like this

Image
FIFA Women's World Cup trophy
Brazil will host 2027 Women’s World Cup, beating Dutch, German Belgian joint bid
Image
Cape Verde, Uruguay flags on soccer bals.
Video: Rotterdam celebrates after Cape Verde plays Uruguay to 0-0 World Cup draw
Image
Cody Gakpo of Oranje scores the 2-1 win for the Netherlands during a friendly match against Uzbekistan in the Icahn stadion in New York, 8 June 2026
Oranje limps to 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan; Keeper hurt days before World Cup opener
Image
A model of the FIFA World Cup trophy
Priciest ticket for FIFA World Cup final costs €9,500; Oranje's 1st match up to €2,600
Make NL Times your top Google source

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • NS cancelling trains on key routes this week due to heat; Passengers will need water
  • Smog expected to degrade air quality in parts of Netherlands on Wednesday and Thursday
  • Zoetermeer school caretaker faces 7 years in prison over child sex abuse of 18 victims
  • Man charged with terror-motivated plot to stab asylum seekers in Amsterdam
  • Public transport strike tomorrow may lead to more: No morning trains, trams & buses

Top stories

  • NS cancelling trains on key routes this week due to heat; Passengers will need water
  • Heineken board taps JDE Peet’s exec. Rafa Oliveira as new CEO
  • More Dutch households can't make ends meet; Over half of young adults struggling
  • Heat: Schools implement special rosters, Amsterdam sets up cool-down spots
  • Heat wave: Code Orange weather alert for 36°C temps takes effect on Wednesday

© 2012-2026, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Change Privacy Settings
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partner Content