Netherlands Men's Volleyball Team

Volleyball in the Netherlands appeared in 1925 at the initiative of S. Buey. In 1947 , the Netherlands Volleyball Union was formed, which in the same year became one of the co-founders of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) .

The debut of the Dutch men's national team in the official international arena took place already at the first European Championship , held in September 1948 in Italy . At it, Dutch volleyball players performed unsuccessfully, losing to their rivals in all 5 matches held at the tournament, while being able to win only one game. In subsequent years, the national team of the Netherlands in international tournaments performed regularly, but without success, taking places at best in the middle of the final line-ups.

In 1985, Israeli-American coach Ari Selinger , who previously headed the US women's volleyball team, was appointed the new coach of the team. An ambitious program to raise the level of the national team of the Netherlands was associated with his name, which provided for the concentration of the country's best volleyball players within the national team only, with the refusal to speak for club teams. This program has begun to bring results. In 1987, the Dutch showed their best result at the European Championships, taking 5th place, and the next year at the Seoul Olympics , only the worst ratio of games prevented them from reaching the semifinals of the Olympic tournament, where they ended up in 5th place. The winner of the prize for the best server of the Olympic tournament was Dutchman Ron Zverver.

1989 brought the first team to the Netherlands. At the European Championships in Sweden, the Dutch team reached the semifinals, where they lost to the Italians , and in the match for “bronze” they confidently defeated the USSR national team , leaving it outside the top three for the first time in 34 years. The Dutch volleyball players managed to repeat this bronze success two years later at the next European championship , held in Germany . In the semifinals , the USSR team took a confident rematch from the Dutch with a score of 3: 0, and in the duel for 3rd place, the Netherlands team did not leave any chance for the tournament hosts - German volleyball players. In the interval between the European Championships, the Dutch won the “silver” of the first World League draw, Zverver was recognized as the best striker of the final tournament, and his teammate Rob Grabert was the best defender. A sign of recognition of the Dutch volleyball was the inclusion of the Netherlands volleyball players in the All Stars team at the FIVB exhibition matches, in which the world teams opposed the teams of Italy (in 1991) and Brazil (in 1993). In the match against Italy, the Dutchman Edwin Benne played, and against the Brazilians - his compatriots Ron Zverver and connecting Avital Selinger (son of Ari Selinger).

The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona , where the Netherlands team was already traveling as one of the contenders for medals, at first it was very difficult for her. In the group stage, the Dutch won only two victories in 5 matches, but from the 4th place they reached the quarter-finals of the playoffs, where they won a victory against the current Italians in the persistent 5-set match. In the semi-finals in three games the Cuban team was defeated, but the Dutch volleyball players were no longer enough for the decisive match against the Brazilians . Nevertheless, the Olympic “silver” was the highest success of the team in its entire history. Dutchman Ron Zverver was recognized as the most valuable player (MVP) of the Olympic tournament.

After the Barcelona Olympics, Selinger left the team, passing the reins in it to his assistant Jop Alberda. Under him, an “epic” confrontation between two national teams began - the Netherlands and Italy , when until 1996, it was these two teams in the largest international competitions in the final matches that determined the strongest team in Europe and the world. The decisive duel of the 1993 European Championship in five games brought success to the Italians. The 1994 World Cup finals had the same outcome - 3-2 in favor of the Italian national team . The Dutchman Zverver was recognized as the best striker of the world championship, and his compatriot Jan Postum was the best blocker. In the finals of the European Championship 1995, Dutch volleyball players again lost the victory to the same Italians and with the same score 2: 3. The duel between these teams in the 1995 World Cup was again ended in favor of the Italian national team (3: 1), leaving the Netherlands national team with silver medals of the tournament. The best striker of the draw was recognized Dutchman Bas van de Gore . On December 3, 1995, the FIVB Gala match between the Italian and world teams was held in Tokyo , bringing the Italians 2: 1 success (the match was played up to two games won by one of the teams). The head of the world stars team was Dutchman J. Alberda, who attracted three of his wards at once - Ron Zverver, Bas van de Gore and Peter Blange.

In 1996, the Dutch team was finally able to recoup on all volleyball fronts. The final stage of the World League was held in the Dutch Rotterdam and brought the long-awaited success to the hosts, who finally beat the Italian team with the already traditional 3-2 score in the decisive matches between these two principal rivals. A month later, with a small culmination of a four-year cycle of confrontation between the two world volleyball leaders, the final of the Olympic tournament in Atlanta , in which the Netherlands team was able to win the match-ball rivals in the 5th game and tipped the scales of a stubborn decisive fight in their favor, becoming the Olympic champion ^{[ 3]} . The Dutch spent almost the entire final match in one roster, which included binder Peter Blanche, diagonal striker Olof van der Möhlen, forward-playrs Ron Zverver and Geydo Görzen, central blockers Bas van de Gore and Henk-Jan Held. In addition to them, the gold of the Olympics was awarded to Jan Postum, Richard Scheuil, Rob Grabert, Mike van de Gore, Brecht Rodenburg and Misha Latukhikhin . The best striker of the Olympic tournament was the Dutchman Bas van de Gore .

In 1997, Alberda decided to focus on administrative work, and Ton Gerbrands became the new head coach of the “orange” team. Under his leadership, the Dutch team at the home European Championships was finally able to achieve “golden” success, winning all 7 matches held at the tournament. At the same time, the confrontation with the Italian national team did not fall to a decisive duel, but to the semifinal, in which the Dutch confidently won in three games. In the final, the Netherlands volleyball players beat the Yugoslav national team 3: 1. Following the tournament, Bas van de Gore received two individual prizes as the best striker and the best blocker. Peter Blange was recognized as the best binder.

In 1998, the Dutch won their last medals so far in major international competitions - bronze in the World League . Subsequently, the Dutch national team began a very painful process of generational change, when prominent representatives of the 1990s left the team and new players were no longer able to maintain the highest level set by their predecessors. The coaches who led the team after the departure of Tony Gerbrands - Bert Goodkop (2001-2005), Peter Blanzhe (2006-2010), Edwin Benne (2011-2013), could not bring the "orange" to its former heights. The team’s results have been steadily deteriorating, which has repeatedly led to the failure of the Netherlands national team to attend major tournaments. The only achievements of the team in the 2000s were only victories and prizes in the Euroleague draws.

In 2017, under the leadership of Guido Vermeulen (head coach since 2014), the Netherlands team managed to win their group of the World Cup qualifying tournament and, after a 16-year break, was again represented at the world championship. To some extent, the European teams, including the Dutch, were facilitated by the fact that three teams of the “Old World” ( Poland , Italy and Bulgaria ) were relieved of the need to qualify for the championship. But participation in the European Championship of the same year ended for the Dutch with a sensitive setback, when they dropped out of the fight for medals already in the group stage.

At the 2018 World Cup, the Dutch team was mostly remembered for victories in the first group round over one of the tournament favorites - teams from Brazil and France . The Dutch volleyball players finished their participation in the world championship after the 2nd group stage.

Olympic Games

• 1964 : Frank Constands, Jacques Evalds, Ron Grunhuisen, Johannes van der Hook, Jurian Kolen, Jap Korslot, Jan Osterban, Dinko van der Stoop, Pete Sweater, Jop Tinkhof, Jacques de Wink, Hans van Weinen.
• 1988 : Martin Teffer, Peter-Jan Leeuwerink, Ronald Baudry, Jan Postum, Ronald Zodsma, Ron Zverver, Avital Selinger, Edwin Benne, Tonis Boys, Peter Blanger, Marco Browvers. The trainer is Ari Selinger.
•   1992 : Martin Teffer, Henk-Jan Held, Ronald Baudry, Marco Klok, Ron Zverver, Avital Selinger, Edwin Benne, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blanger, Jan Postum, Martin van der Horst, Ronald Zodzma. The trainer is Ari Selinger.
•   1996 : Misha Latuhihin, Henk-Jan Held, Brecht Rodenburg, Gaydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Ron Zverver, Bass van de Gore, Jan Postum, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blanger, Rob Grabert, Mike van de Gore. Coach - Yop Alberda.
• 2000 : Misha Latuhihin, Rinder Nyummerdor, Gaydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Mike van de Gore, Bas van de Gore, Jost Koistra, Eric Scheuil, Peter Blange, Martin van der Horst, Albert Christina, Martine Dileman. Coach - Ton Gerbrands.
• 2004 : Dirk-Jan van Gendt, Nico Freriks, Marco Klok, Rinder Nummerdor, Gaydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Mike van de Gore, Jeroen Trommel, Robert Horstink, Kai van Dyck, Rob Bontier, Albert Christina. Trainer - Bert Goodkop.

World Championships

• 1990 : Martin Teffer, Arnold van Re, Henk-Jan Held, Patrick de Raus, Ronald Baudry, Bas Cook, Ron Zverver, Avital Selinger, Edwin Benne, Martin van der Horst. The trainer is Ari Selinger .
•   1994 : Henk-Jan Held, Gaydo Görtsen, Jan Postuma, Ron Zverver, Bass van de Gore, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blange, Rob Grabert, Martin van der Horst, Ronald Zodzma, Mike van de Gore. Coach - Yop Alberda.
• 1998 : Misha Latuhihin, Frank Denkers, Sander Olsthorn, Gaydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Mike van de Gore, Bas van de Gore, Marc Broure, Marco Klok, Olof van der Möhlen, Albert Christina, Justin Sombrook. Coach - Ton Gerbrands.
• 2002 : Dirk-Jan van Gendt, Nico Freriks, Sander Olsthorn, Rinder Nummerdor, Geydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Jochem de Greuther, Joppe Paulides, Robert Horstink, Yoram Man, Allan van de Lo, Dennis van der Ven Trainer - Bert Goodkop.
• 2018 : Dan van Haarlem, Wessel Kemink, Martin van Garderen, Thuis ter Horst, Dirk Sparidans, Jasper Diefenbach, Goys Jorn, Jeroen Rauverdink, Tim Smith, Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Thomas Kulevein, Wouter ter Mat, Michael Parkinson, Trainer - Guido Vermeulen.

World Cup

The Netherlands team participated in two World Cup draws.

• 1965 - 10th place
• 1995 -   2nd place

•   1995 : Misha Latuhihin, Henk-Jan Held, Brecht Rodenburg, Geydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Ron Zverver, Bas van de Gore, Jan Postuma, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blanger, Rinder Nummerdorf, Robert van Es. Coach - Yop Alberda.

World Champions Cup

The Netherlands team participated in one draw of the World Cup of Champions.

• 1997 -   2nd place

World League

•   1990 : Henk-Jan Held, Ronald Baudry, Ronald Zodsma, Ron Zverver, Avital Selinger, Edwin Benne, Tönis Boys, Peter Blanzhe, Rob Grabert, Martin van der Horst, Paul Kamelink. The trainer is Ari Selinger.
•   1996 : Misha Latuhihin, Henk-Jan Held, Brecht Rodenburg, Gaydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Ron Zverver, Bass van de Gore, Jan Postuma, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blanger, Rob Grabert, Mike van de Gore, Robert van Es. Coach - Yop Alberda.
•   1998 : Misha Latuhihin, Sander Olsthorn, Rinder Nummerdorf, Gaydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Mike van de Gore, Bas van de Gore, Marc Broure, Peter Blanche, Marco Klok, Albert Christina, Johem de Greuther. Coach - Ton Gerbrands.

European Championships

•   1989 : Jan Postum, Ronald Zodsma, Ron Zverver, Avital Selinger, Edwin Benne, Peter Blanche, Rob Grabert, ... Trainer - Ari Selinger.
•   1991
•   1993 : Henk-Jan Held, Brecht Rodenburg, Jan Postum, Marco Klok, Ron Zverver, Bas van de Gore, Edwin Benne, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blanzhe, Rob Grabert, Martin van der Horst, Ronald Zodsma. Coach - Yop Alberda.
•   1995 : Misha Latuhihin, Henk-Jan Held, Brecht Rodenburg, Gaydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Ron Zverver, Bass van de Gore, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blanger, Martin van der Hurst, Rinder Nummerdorf, Robert van Es. Coach - Yop Alberda.
•   1997 : Misha Latuhihin, Sander Olsthorn, Henk-Jan Held, Rinder Nummerdorf, Geydo Görtsen, Richard Scheuil, Bas van de Gore, Olof van der Möhlen, Peter Blanger, Albert Christina, Jochem de Greuther, Robert van Erie. Coach - Ton Gerbrands.

Euroleague

• 2004 -   3rd place
• 2006 -   1st place
• 2007 - 7–9th place
• 2008 -   2nd place
• 2011 - 5-6th place
• 2012 -   1st place
• 2018 - 5-7th place

•   2006 : Dirk-Jan van Gendt, Nico Freriks, Gaydo Görtsen, Chris van der Vel, Marco Klok, Jeroen Rauverdink, Jan-Willem Snippe, Witze Koistra, Richard Rademaker, Yairo Hoi, Michael Oliman, Rob Bontier. Trainer - Peter Blange.
•   2012 : Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Nico Freriks, Theis der Horst, Yelte Maan, Humphrey Krolis, Geis Jorn, Sebastian van Bemmelen, Jeroen Rauverdink, Vitze Coistra, Marten van Garderen, Thomas Kulevein, Robin Overbeck. The trainer is Edwin Benne.

Spring Cup

The Dutch men's team 10 times (in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1976, 1983 and 1987) won the traditional international tournament Spring Cup , which is annually (since 1962 for men and since 1973 for women's national teams) was carried out at the initiative of the volleyball federations of Western European countries.

The Netherlands national team in the competitions of 2018 ( Euroleague , World Cup ).

• The head coach is Guido Vermeulen.
• Trainers - Claudio Gever, Arne Hendricks.

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  Ron Zverver

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  Bass van de gore

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  Rinder Nummerdor

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  Rob Bontier

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  Robert Horstink

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  Jeroen Trommel

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  Nimir Abdel-Aziz

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  Jasper Diefenbach

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  Robin Overbeck

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  Michael Parkinson

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  Jeroen Rauverdink

• Volleyball. Encyclopedia / Comp. V.L. Sviridov, O.S. Chekhov. Tomsk: Yanson Company - 2001.

• Netherlands Men's Team at NeVoBo (nid.)
• Netherlands national team at the FIVB website
• Netherlands national team at CEV website
• Volleyball Results Archive
• History