AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Netherlands’ World Cup team has been honored by Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende at the start of a hectic day of celebrations for the tournament runner-up.
After the trip to Balkenende’s official residence, coach Bert van Marwijk’s team was heading to meet Queen Beatrix at her Noordeinde Palace in The Hague.
Later Tuesday, an Air Force helicopter was whisking the team to Amsterdam for a boat tour through the city’s web of canals and an open-air party. Officials say they expect up to a million fans to descend on Amsterdam to cheer their team.
The Dutch lost 1-0 in extra time to Spain in Sunday’s final — the third time the Netherlands had lost a World Cup final after defeats in 1974 and ’78.
