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European Champion returns home!
VALENCIA (Spain) / SCHIPHOL (Neth.) - Less than 24 hours after capturing the European title for the first time in 19 years, the Dutch National Softball Team returned home safely on Sunday-evening.
It was only the third time in Dutch history that the team remained unbeaten during an European Championships, the first times being 1983 and 1984.
The nine victories (including seven shutouts) equaled the record set in 1983.
Captain Peter van den Biddinghuizen guided his Transavia Boeing 737-300 in 2 hours and 10 minutes from Valencia to Amsterdam and their the team was welcomed at Schiphol International Airport by family-members, fans, representatives of the Dutch Association (KNBSB) and members of the press.
With the home-coming, the international season ended for the Dutch Team.
The players now will return to their respective clubs for the completion of the regular season.
For most players, another international event is on the agenda in two weeks, as they will participate with their clubteam in the tournaments for the European Cups, held August 17-22 in Italy.
But an important date on the calender will approach quickly, as on August 13, the International Olympic Committee will announce the two sports that might be included in the Olympic Games of 2016.
In October, during the IOC session in Copenhagen (Denmark), the final voting on these two sports will be done.
So, let's all hope that softball will be one of the two sports that will get an Olympic status.
The sports deserves it!!!
Schedule European Championships
In the morning, Head Coach Craig Montvidas has an interview by phone
with the Haarlems Dagblad newspaper
The Team at the airport of Valencia, ready to check in
KNBSB-President Ruud van Zetten and Boardmember Gerben Hardeveld admire the Cup
Nathalie Timmermans and Kirsten Scheele wait to board the plane...
...and so are Petra van Heijst and Dagmar Bloeming
After arriving on Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, all luggage and equipment also arrived
Team-captains Petra van Heijst, Saskia Kosterink and Rebecca Soumeru
lead the team with the trophies, entering the arrival hall at Schiphol Airport
There, everyone is greeted and gets flowers from employees of the KNBSB Head Office
Team-captains Petra van Heijst, Saskia Kosterink and Rebecca Soumeru
with the Championship Cups and their flowers
(exclusive photo by Emiel van Lint, De Telegraaf-newspaper)
The Team poses for the photographer of De Telegraaf-newspaper
The Team cheers with the European Championship Cups
(exclusive photos (above, bottom) by Emiel van Lint, De Telegraaf-newspaper)
(thanks to Emiel van Lint and Ed Kosterink for submitting several photos)
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