GSP CORRESPONDENCE How Van der Vaart, who came directly from Bucharest, appeared in the fiefdom of the great rival from Rotterdam » He attended a recital by the Netherlands, with partner Polman on the dance floor
Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Adrian Jitea – Published Friday, 05 December 2025, 00:13 / Updated Friday, 05 December 2025 00:17
The Netherlands also naturally prevailed against Tunisia, score 39-21, in the first round of the main group III from Women's Handball World Championship. Rafael van der Vaart, the partner of star Estavan Polman, traveled from Bucharest especially for this match and was guarded by a bodyguard.
- Reporter Adrian Jitea and photojournalist Ionuț Iordache are in Rotterdam with the Romanian national team and transmit all the information and images that matter
For the first time in this final tournament, the Netherlands did not fill the hall in Rotterdam. To blame was the unattractive opponent, but also an important cycling competition scheduled at the same time in the Ahoy complex.
Holland, straight wins in Rotterdam
4580 fans showed up in the stands. All in orange, all surprised by the fact that the favorites have changed their equipment to a new one.
There is not much to say about the match. It performed as expected. The Batavelles took the lead in the 4th minute, through Van Wetering, and revved their engines until the break, a 22-9 advantage.
In the second half, coach Henrik Signell ran the entire team. For the Netherlands, the first real tests of the tournament are coming. On Saturday, from 9:30 p.m., they face a Polish national team that dreams of a surprise and qualifying for the quarterfinals. On Monday, in the last round of the main group, the derby with France takes place.
Even with the changes made, the hosts continued to extend their lead. The players from the “Florir League” also registered. Merel Freriks (CSM Bucharest) twice, Estavana Polman (Rapid) and Larissa Nusser (Gloria Bistrița), one goal each, contributed to the final score, 39-22.
- The best player of the match was appointed Bo van Wetering, author of 9 goals from 10 throws.
PHOTO GALLERY. Rafael van der Vaart, in the stands at Holland – Tunisia
Among the more than 4000 spectators was Rafael van der Vaart. The former star of “A Clockwork Orange”, the life partner of Estavanna Polman, had missed the first dates. He had stayed in Bucharest with his daughter Jesslyn
Rafael will have to wear a helmet and be prepared for the eggs that will be thrown at him. I think he will be fine, he is coming for me, it has nothing to do with football
– Estavana Polman, at the start of the tournament
A former Ajax great, Van der Vaart took precautions in the gym in Rotterdam, the city of big rivals Feyenoord. He had a security man around, but that wasn't the case. The atmosphere was warm, as during the entire competition. No incident took place in the Ahoy Arena.
