On 23 June 2007, the Netherlands’ Under-21 side systematically dismantled their Serbian counterparts, winning 4-1. It was a comfortable victory for the host nation and reigning champions in the final of that summer’s European Under-21 Championship, and one that seemed to signal a bright future for Dutch football. But it wasn’t to be.
Ten years on, and after the latest version of the same competition drew to a close this summer, the fate of that Netherlands squad sounds a note of caution for anyone getting carried away by impressive performances at age-group level. Early success is no guarantee of future commitment, mental strength and staying power.
The transition to full international football is notoriously difficult, and just nine of the team made it, the lowest of any country that took part. Only Ron Vlaar and Ryan Babel represented the Oranje with any degree of consistency, and even then as largely peripheral figures. By contrast, all but three of Belgium’s squad went on to be capped. Jan Vertonghen, Kevin Mirallas, Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel remain stalwarts of the national team.
The Netherlands were impressive throughout the tournament, topping their group ahead of Belgium and Portugal, before beating England in an epic penalty shoot-out that finished 13-12. In the final they played with swagger and poise, dominating possession and breaking through Serbia’s defensive line seemingly at will. A second half red card from Aleksander Kolarov helped them on the way to victory.
The goals came from Babel, Ottman Bakkal, top scorer Maceo Rigters and Luigi Bruins, yet the undeniable lynchpin of the team was playing on the left. Royston Drenthe was the squat, powerfully-built midfielder with flowing dreadlocks and a sense of adventure. He was every inch the superstar and seemed destined for bigger things.
Drenthe was bewitching with the ball at his feet and, having won the Golden Player award, following in the footsteps of Luis Figo, Fabio Cannavaro and Andrea Pirlo amongst others, it was no surprise when Real Madrid signed him from Feyenoord for €14 million that summer. Although Drenthe had the pace and skills to be one of the world’s best players, he unfortunately never had the temperament to match.
On various loan moves he fell out with supporters and managers for his indiscipline, repeatedly turning up late for training and gaining a reputation spending more time partying than on the training pitch. Expected to go furthest in the game, he became an unreliable journeyman instead. Several of that Netherlands Under-21 team had unsuccessful spells in the Premier League, including Rigters, Ryan Donk, Gianni Zuiverloon and Daniel de Ridder.
Drenthe did pick up a single cap in 2010, whilst on loan at Hercules, but it was the start of a long decline. He hopped from club to club, playing in England, Russia, Turkey and finally the United Arab Emirates. He retired earlier this year, before his 30th birthday, claiming to be disillusioned with football, and is now pursuing a music career instead.
The star turn of one of the most exciting Under-21s teams of recent years, he could have achieved so much more. While these tournaments give a clear indication of talent, the maturity and single-mindedness needed to make the most of it is rather more difficult to predict.
Tonight, qualification for the next European Under-21 Championship continues as the Netherlands face Scotland in their second group game, having drawn 1-1 with England on Friday. Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed the opening goal, with Bart Ramselaar equalising. Both sides look full of potential, but whether that will be realised or not is another question entirely.
