World Cup

For the second time in a row the Dutch national football team is at risk of missing the finals, due to a crushing defeat against Bulgaria on Saturday (2-0). On Monday morning the Dutch newspapers had no good word to say about now dismissed coach Danny Blind. On Monday afternoon the Oranje team started their last training session before a friendly match against Italy tomorrow under the guidance of interim coach Fred Grim.

Former Dutch football star Ruud van Nistelrooij will step down from his assistant coaching role with the Netherlands men’s national football team. The 39-year-old is leaving Orange to take on training the under-17, under-19 and Youth squad at PSV Eindhoven.

Wednesday was the 25th anniversary of the day that former Dutch football player Frank Rijkaard earned the nickname "Llama" for repeatedly spitting on German football player Rudi Voller.

A successful performance by Dutch female footballers at the 2015 FIFA World Cup in Canada will help the team attract commercial backers, believes Bob van Oosterhout, director of the sports marketing company Triple Double.

The referees and assistant referees of the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have made shocking characterizations while outlining the relationship with their employer. The depiction includes threats, phone harassment, unsubstantiated adjustments, referee criticism and abuse of power, according to newspaper De Telegraaf.

The Dutch national women’s football squad knocked off Italy in a closely-contested one game playoff match to take the final European spot in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Oranje beat Azzurri 1-2 in Verona, with goals by 18-year-old Vivianne Miedema in the 8th and 42nd minutes.

Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn is suffering under the growth of other chains like Jumbo and Lidl, according to quarter figures from mother company Ahold. Profits at Ahold dropped from €206 to €147 million last quarter while turnover dropped more than four percent to 7.4 billion, the NOS reports.

On the 12th of November, Amsterdam will be the background to a re-match between Mexico and The Netherlands after their second round World Cup face-off left Mexico going home. The match is part of Mexico's autumn tour, the Mexican football federation announced Wednesday.

With two quick goals, excellent defending from Ron Vlaar, and a third goal to seal the deal, the Netherlands took a third place finish in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, beating host country Brazil 3-0. The Brazilians took fourth place in the tournament, having lost two matches in a row.

The Netherlands' World Cup championship dreams have been shelved for another four years after Argentina beat the Dutch squad in penalties. Argentina put four penalties past goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, while Argentine keeper Sergio Romero blocked two of the Netherlands four shots.

The World Cup is an exciting time for a lot of people. For one dog, however, the excitement was a little too much to bear. A room full of people cheering when Dutch substitute goalie Tim Krul saved the second penalty kick by Costa Rica in the shootouts on Sunday was too much for dog Beike from Ede, who took to his heels and fled. The family is still searching for their beloved hound.