Browse Topics
Tools
Editor's choice

Learning Dutch is a must!

Sint comes to town

A guide to childcare in the Netherlands

Dutch u-turn on soft drugs tolerance

Yoga--a beginner's guide and where to take classes in the Netherlands

Report: Expatica's "i am not a tourist" Fair 2009

A parent's guide to the Dutch education system

Amsterdam grapples with integration since filmmaker's murder

Wilders debate: shouting or convincing?

Internaxx Stock Market
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.3 0.50
DAX 5252.45 1.50
IBEX 30 10726.8 0.59
CAC 40 3377.59 1.40
FTSE 100 4564.5 0.79
AEX 276.85 0.95
DJIA 9096.72 -0.13
Nasdaq 1975.51 0.39
FTSE MIB 20341.67 1.65
TSX Composite 10570.54 -1.74
ASX 4148.9 -0.60
Hang seng 20135.5 -2.37
Straits Times 0.00
ISEQ 20 442.48 0.27
You are here: Home Health & Fitness Fitness & Sports Berne prepares for orange invasion

03/06/2008Berne prepares for orange invasion

The Swiss capital Berne will soon turn orange (the colour of the Dutch national team) as supporters from the Netherlands descend on one of the eight cities to host this year's European Football Championships. The Dutch team's first game will take place on Monday 9 June. Two more games will be played in Berne on 13 and 17 June.

Dutch fansCampsites were opened several weeks ago and most places were booked within a matter of days; most of the reservations were from the Netherlands. An estimated 40,000 Dutch supporters will travel to Switzerland. The camp sites already have names such as Orange Village and Orange Camping.

Jumping in the river
The staff of Berne's tourist office is on the one hand glad to see the Dutch fans, while on the other hand they are a bit worried. Nathalie Gerber who works for the Berne agency Tourismus says:

"The Dutch sometimes drink a lot and then they are apt to do strange things, like jump in the river."

Dutch fansEverywhere in Berne one can see signs in Dutch with advice on what one should and should not do. The wearing of a Heineken T-shirt is in the 'should not' category. Danish brewer Carlsberg is one of the sponsors of the tournament and UEFA has banned the display of other brands. However the Dutch supporters will undoubtedly wear Heineken ads anyway and the tolerant Swiss are expected to turn another eye.

Women and football
On 30 May the Dutch embassy in Berne opened an exhibition on women in football with photographs by Natalie Toret. The embassy is also planning other activities such as a Dutch dance party, interviews and concerts.

Berne police, taxi drivers and bartenders have received a course in 'How to deal with troublesome Dutch fans.' The Swiss authorities have even found a solution for the most hopeless cases - drunken supporters who are lying on the street and can't stand up: Beds have been placed in air-raid shelters so that they don't have to sleep off their hangovers on the street.

Dutch police to help Swiss with fines
The Dutch automobile association ANWB has warned drivers travelling to Switzerland not to use navigation systems with a traffic camera warning. Swiss police armed with laptops will be carrying out controls along the highway. Drivers in possession of traffic camera warnings will receive a fine, even if the devices are lying unused in the trunk.

Blog: the Dutch take on Euro 2008

* RNW translation (fs)

 [Copyright Radio Netherlands 2008]

1 reaction to this article

Antoine posted: 06-06-2008 | 11:06 PM

the Swiss will experience a very different site of the Dutchies.....like always at the start of tournament the nation expects that the team will win.

ask your question
find the business you need
Discussion Forums

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Moving to UK - what happens to my Dutch residence permit, by avocado

Discuss Dutch Culture

What do people of Africa descent think of Zwarte Pete?, by pepe C

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Consequences of not registering with the gemeente?, by wesley-nl

Netherlands Soapbox

Random Thought of the Day, by wesley-nl

Employment in the Netherlands

Starting business as a partner of highly skilled migrant, by air23time

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Healthcare in the Netherlands

Healthcare in the Netherlands

Here’s a current guide to health insurance, doctors, dentists and pharmacies.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.

The Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.