His patience was tested immensely. How long he had to wait for his very first international match. But on Saturday, in Wagener Stadium against Argentina (1-1), the time had finally come for Olivier Hortensius. Rotterdam’s striker made his debut in the Dutch national team, thus putting a curl through a long-cherished wish.
‘I hope I get to play in June. That’s the plan, though. One advantage. When the time comes, I do debut in the Netherlands with all my friends and family.’
These are statements Hortensius made nearly three months ago. He has to laugh when reminded. For his words became true. ‘They are all there. About thirteen men. I called everyone up. When I heard this morning that I could play, I immediately went after cards. Like Joep Troost told me about that. A few guys from Rotterdam gave me their cards right away, so I could bring extra family and friends.
Hortensius as a selfie-maker. Photo: Willem Vernes
The trip that fell into the water
So we interviewed the 22-year-old striker in March. Back then, the world looked very different for Hortensius. He had then just returned from his first Orange trip. A trip to Australia, which should have been unforgettable. It was, but in a totally unintentional way. The trip completely fell apart for the young striker. He seemed headed for his debut. In Sydney, of all places. But before he heard the sounds of the national anthem, that dream shattered.
The talented Rotterdam native suffered a hamstring injury. He was well taken care of by the group, but trained alone. On the other side of the globe. Without a family. Hortensius felt lonely. Saw peers make their debuts, while he had to watch them in the stadium.
Saturday was different. He was there. Before the game he received extra attention from everyone in the players’ tunnel. A hug, a nice word or a deep look in the eyes. Everyone who sees the video on Oranjehockey about Hortensius’ debut knows that this is what he gets.
‘Because of that disappointment in Australia, this feels even more beautiful,’ the striker said after his first international. The party music of Roxy Dekker and Yves Berendse echoes through the stadium. The crowd is still enjoying the shoot-outs series won against the Argentines. ‘I waited so long for it. I’ve been with the group since the summer. Quite a few games have been played since then. That I wasn’t in the selection for the Pro League in December, I was okay with that. That’s how it can go when you’ve just joined. But what happened in Australia hurt a lot. I went there with the goal of making my debut. Came home with half a hamstring, with no internationals.’
Naturally, he had to rehab. Was eventually sidelined for about two months. And then picked up the thread again. You try to convince the coach that you are good enough to make the selection. And yes, there is some pressure. If you are not here now, it becomes very difficult for the future. I am very happy that I got another chance. To show myself a little bit.
With teammate – at Orange and Rotterdam – Derk Meijer. Photo: Willem Vernes
The near-dream start
Visible was certainly the striker. He personally made sure that the Wagener Stadium was on the edge of its seats after only 52 seconds. His blazing shot splattered on the glove of Tomás Santiago, Argentina’s goalkeeper. ‘I really thought it would go in,’ he echoed in disbelief. If I’m honest, that chance scared me a little. Within a minute, in your first international game. In a full Wagener. Later I shot at the post via the goalkeeper.’
Thus came to an end the day he began full of excitement. For Hortensius knew he would not play the first four games of this Pro League block. After that, there might be opportunities. ‘Then you get up with a different feeling anyway. And it also took, due to some doubt, longer than usual before the group was known. I read it in our WhatsApp group, in our hotel. I was extremely happy, of course. It was really going to happen.’
So there can be a curl through that long-awaited debut. The Australia story is thus caught up, the striker concludes. ‘That wound has healed because of this.’
by Hockey.nl
