Two internationals, zero goals. The CV of Olivier Hortensius could use a boost. Yet the 22-year-old Rotterdam striker was surprised by friend and foe this week His place in the selection for the European Championship in Mönchengladbach (8-17 August). “I feel like a child in a candy store, so happy that I am.
Hortensius is the only tournament debut in the EC selection of the Dutch national team. His selection, with only two international competitions under his belt, is already an achievement for the history books. That the Netherlands travels to a title tournament with a striker who is still waiting for his first international goal says everything about coach Jeroen Delmée’s trust in him. Just over a month ago, Hortensius even waited for his debut in the shirt of Orange.
So he had no high expectations when the selection of the European Championship was announced internally on Monday, he says. At 4 p.m. he received the e-mail with the eighteen names that Delmée had selected for Mönchengladbach. When Hortensius scrolled down, he came across his surprise in his own name.
‘That morning I had to give a clinic, so I was gone for half the day. When I got home, my girlfriend was sick in bed. I lay down with her for a while and before I knew it, it was already 4 o’clock in the morning, we waited for the e-mail in excitement. When I read my own name, I thought I looked wrong. I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy that I jumped through the room spontaneously, as if I had scored a goal. ‘
After his orange debut against Argentina (1-1) in June, Olivier Hortensius takes a selfie with a fan in Wagener Stadium. Photo: Willem Vernes
Delmée: ‘He has developed quickly ‘
The cent perhaps the other way has fallen for him, Hortensius realizes. He now fulfills the vacancy in the striker position created by the decision of Duco Telgenkamp to take over one step back This summer. In advance, Miles Berkens seemed to be the dream candidate to fill the gap, but he injured his knee during the Pro League. Terrance Pieters was another option for the spits position, but he replaced the wounded Jonas de Geus in midfield.
‘Olivier is goal -oriented and technically competent, ‘ Delmée reasoned his choice of Hortensius. “He has developed quickly. The impression he has left behind is convincing. That is why I think he deserves to go more to the EC than other boys. ‘
Derk Meijer, his teammate at Rotterdam, kissed Olivier Hortensius on his forehead after his debut in Wagener Stadium. Photo: Willem Vernes
Flying start of his international career
Hortensius had to wait for his debut in the Dutch national team for five months. When he boarded a plane for Sydney in January, his first big trip with the Dutch team ended in a deception. In Australia he suffered a hamstring injury, so that his first international appearance thorn.
But after his re-match in June, when he was finally rewarded With his first playing memorandum In Wagener Stadium he still had a flying start of his international career. Already in the first minute of the game against Argentina (1-1) he shot a blazing shot on the goal of the enemy. Immediately the international field hockey world became acquainted with Olivier Hortensius. His second international, in London against Great Britain (2-3 victory), also left him a good feeling.
I noticed that the difference between me and the rest of the team turned out to be smaller than I initially thought Olivier Hortensius
‘In the beginning I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t know if I can handle the level of those boys who played the Olympic Games, ECs and World Cups. You always hear from others that international field hockey cannot be compared with a big league game, that an international game looks much more like a race. And I certainly experienced that too. But still, I think I have shown in those two internationals that I can handle the level. Of course there is still enough of my game to improve. But I do notice that the difference between me and the rest of the team has proved to be smaller than I initially thought. ‘
His expectations of his first title tournament are high. ‘Mönchengladbach is of course close to the Dutch border, so I expect many Dutch fans. Tough but also beautiful competitions are waiting for us in a swimming pool with Belgium and Spain. It will be a big field hockey party, I am sure. ‘
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