Big home-coming celebration for Dutch soccer team in Amsterdam

Although many did not expect it, the home-coming celebration of the Dutch soccer team turned into a big orange party in Amsterdam.

The Dutch team was first greeted by the Prime Minister, then they had an audience with Queen Beatrix, both in Den Haag (The Hague).

In the afternoon they were brought to Amsterdam by helicopter, after which the team was taken on a boat tour through the IJ river (behind Central Station) and the canals of Amsterdam.
After the boat tour the team received an official celebration at Museumplein square.

About 600,000 to 700,000 people went to Amsterdam to celebrate. Some had feared not many people would come to Amsterdam because the Dutch team only reached second place and their aggression during the final match had been criticized by many.
However, the streets along the canal tour were packed, and on Museumplein there were about 200,000 people.

Although it was strongly advised against, several spectators jumped into the water to be closer to the soccer players.