The Netherlands: Hertzberger in France: ‘Great time, but hardly any money for balls’

At his holiday address in France, Jeroen Hertzberger can finally let the frenzy of the European Championship in Mönchengladbach sink. The adventure as an assistant coach of the French men immediately produced history: a fourth place, the best performance since 1970. “It was two cool weeks,” Hertzberger said. “I look back on it with great pleasure.”

Earlier this year, the 39-year-old former international was approached by the French Federation. The question: whether he wanted to become a member of the staff. The request surprised him. “I liked that they asked me, but I thought about it for a few weeks.” He finally made the knot. “I thought it would be interesting to see what contribution I could make.”

So he ended up in the Dugout next to the national coach John-John Dohmen, former figurehead of the Belgian team and the experienced Spaniard Ramon Sala. Together good for nearly nine hundred international games. “I have been to the team from February,” says Hertzberger. ‘We communicate with each other in a mix of French and English. Words and the field hockey language that I quickly pick up. But in one-on-one conversations with players and transferring emotions, you need to know exactly what you say. That takes time. I do my presentations in both French and English. I learn from that too. It is actually a language course and coaching function in one. ‘

Focus on offensive part

During the folk songs at the European Championship, Hertzberger was arm in the arm next to Dohmen and Sala. A striking image: no longer the striker who wants to score himself, but the coach who teaches his strikers how to do it. ‘Ramon focuses more on the structure of his own half, I am responsible for the game from the middle line to the circle. How do we put pressure, how do we position the strikers, how do we make the offensive game more profitable? ‘

But his role goes beyond tactics. ‘The biggest challenge is to allow the players to realize how good they are. Often fear comes into play: the idea that something is not going to work. You still have to have the courage to try. Self-confidence and courage can make the difference between losing 4-1 or playing 2-2. The French are a proud people. If you connect it with courage, you can compete with the top countries. ‘

As an example, he quotes the last polar match against England. France won 3-2, thanks to a goal from Timothée Clément two seconds before time. It earned a place in the semi -final, for the first time in more than half a century. “A year ago we would have lost such a game 4-1,” said Hertzberger. ‘Now the statistics were in our favor. It might as well have been for us. The boys made their own history. ‘

The Netherlands then blocked their way to the final and lost to Spain in the battle for bronze. “That match against Spain was least,” Hertzberger acknowledged. “For the first time we had something to lose. That caused restraint. In top sport you get nothing for free. You need a certain feeling to really compete for the medals. They are valuable lessons. ‘

Jeroen Hertzberger Congratulates Jorrit Croon on Reaching the Final of the European Championship in Mönchengladbach. Photo: Willem Vernes

EC -surprise

With fourth place, France appeared as the surprise of the EC. Goalkeeper Corentin Saunier was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament, 18-year-old Malo Martinache Best player under the 21. Penalty Corner Specialist Victor Charlet, good for four goals, only two goals behind Top Scorer Gonzalo Peillat tournament ended.

But behind the successes is a different reality. While Hertzberger was used for perfectly arranged facilities during his time at the Orange, he is confronted with limitations in France. ‘We may have a sixth of the budget in the Netherlands. No money for ice cream baths, hardly any balls, eating out is often excluded. The technical director took the night bus to Mönchengladbach because the train was too expensive. Sometimes a training trip is planned but still canceled. That requires a lot of sacrifice. But somewhere I also like that.

Hertzberger has taken the first steps in what he himself describes as a journey of discovery to his future. “So far I enjoy it enormously.” He remains active as a player during the journey of discovery. No longer at the highest level. “I will play with my brother Maurits in the veterans of Rotterdam.”

His contract with the French Federation runs due to the qualification of the World Cup in March 2026. “If we qualify, it can be expanded up to and including the World Cup. I am convinced that we will be there. ‘

Jeroen Hertzberger in Action Along the Line. Photo: Willem Vernes