Sawt Falasteen - Fans hope 'Orange Street' guides Dutch to World Cup victory

For 26 years, whenever the Dutch play in a major football championship, Van Dijk and other residents have turned Marktweg into "Orange Street".

He stands in an orange sea. The houses are draped in orange tarpaulins, orange pennants stretch across the road, and giant photos of orange-clad players are plastered on orange-sheeted lamp-posts and trees.

People come from all over the country to see it.

Despite this unwavering support, the Netherlands, three-time finalists, have never won the World Cup, but this year, Van Dijk has "a good feeling – we're going to win".

Some 77km of flags line the street, in tribute to his mother, who passed away in March at the age of 77 and was a former figurehead of the event. Her unifying spirit endeared her to the public.

"We get to meet other people; all you see are smiles. We bump into people from the neighbourhood but also people who've come from all over the Netherlands," said Van Dijk.

The national team will open their campaign on Sunday against Japan in Arlington, Texas.

"It's going to be a truly brilliant day," he says excitedly.

Dini Netten, 58, made a trip from the north of the country to see the street.

"It's absolutely magnificent. Every two years, it's a real highlight for me," she said.

Coby Pronk, a 65-year-old resident of The Hague, came two months ago when the decorating began. She has returned to see the final result.

"It's a wonderful initiative; it's truly magnificent, the most beautiful street in the country," she said.

"You can really feel the organisers' enthusiasm; football brings people together," said Anouk Vermolen, 28, who came with her partner to see the street.

"It was my idea to come here, even though I don't even watch football," laughs the young woman, who wants to believe her country will win the final.

In the end, she said, "it will depend mainly on the team, and not so much on the street decorations".

L.Hussein--SF-PST