The Netherlands: How Physio Pieters are patients with a celebration

He had to show it twice on Sunday. Are special celebration, which Europe passed after two important goals in the group match of the Dutch against Belgium(4-2). A gesture that at first sight means nothing. To Terrance Pieters, because it was, the story behind it tells.

So he did it after the 1-0, early in the game. And in the last quarter, when he hit the 3-2 in the short corner of the Belgian goal. Running away from the goal and making room for the cheering gesture. Then the stick behind his head, against the neck. The chest slightly forward. Difficult. Posing a little. For a moment, maybe just a few seconds, he remained seated. Leaning. Then to celebrate again with his teammates.

When Pieters is asked for that celebration, a smile comes on his face. ‘Ha, there is a nice story behind it. Do you have a minute? He sits down on the seats in the stands, on the edge of the field. Everywhere around them are interviews. Are the Dutch and Belgian cameras still roaring after the exciting 4-2. “I also celebrated such a goal in the competition in Kampong, in the second half of the season against Pinoké,” says Pieters.

“So there was a special reason behind that. I was an internship as a physiotherapist in recent months. I treated a patient there. I don’t like what his name is. He doesn’t come from field hockey, but he is a real football fan, an Ajax player. He knows that I am in the Orange and we had nice conversations, also about sports. One day he asked why so few field hockey players do something special as he welcomed. In football it is always very normal. ‘

I work with people who work very hard to work out. To be able to walk. Practice to go up the stairs. That sometimes makes me think about how happy I am. That I am healthy and physically able to do this. Terrance Pieters

“We agreed that he could come up with my party. One day I would dedicate him to him, “says Pieters with a grin. He foresees it in a moment. ” We had no stick there in practice, but we did have a broom, haha. That is how we came together. Already until yesterday the background for Pieters faded. Good luck this summer. That reminded me of him again. And I decided to do that party when the time came. Of course I didn’t know it would happen today. I like that it has connected a story. ‘

The gesture is small, but it also has a thought. “I work with people who work very hard to walk at all. Practicing to go up the stairs. That sometimes makes me think about how happy I am to be. That I am healthy and physically able to do this. That makes it so much fun to think of that patient, who had a hard time.

Photo: Willem Vernes

Back in the chaos of the European Championship

He looks ahead, is silent for a moment. And then returns to the chaos of the European Championship. Daily life. The chair in the stands. The thousands of spectators are still in the stadium. The title that must be defended in Germany. The just won place in the semi -final. The leading role he played in it with two goals. Secretly especially for the striker, who is now mainly in midfield and had to explain so often why it was not a target cord machine in the foreground.

‘I think it is very positive that we did so well this weekend. But I want to guard a bit against a mega-hosanna feeling. Yes, it’s going well. But I am also aware that things can be different. We also had moments today when we fell. That was at the beginning and in Q3. The level fell a bit there. We no longer dared to play together, we were not so good. That must improve.

Pieters naturally looks forward to the semi -final, when the best phase of the tournament starts. First Tuesday, the last group match against still scoreless Austria. A very nice opportunity to honor his special fan again. ‘Scoring a goal is never necessary a goal before I go into a match. But if it happens, I will do that celebration for him again. ‘