Orange-clad Dutch fans hoping for Cup redemption

The Netherlands prepared for the country's first World Cup final in 32 years on Sunday with as many as 1,00,000 people expected to descend on the centre of Amsterdam hoping to finally see their team crowned champions.

Branded as underdogs by the world's media and bookmakers for their clash with Spain in Johannesburg, the Dutch dressed their cities in flags and banners and sported all manner of orange clothing and headgear as they rallied behind their team.

"I think Netherlands will be the next world champions, we will win 2-1," said one Dutch fan wearing a fluffy orange lion's costume in defiance of the sweltering summer heat.

Unlike first-time finalists Spain, Netherlands have reached the World Cup final twice in the tournament's 80-year history -- in 1974 and 1978. The Dutch were at the time widely praised for their delightful playing style only to end up trophyless.

But this year's strong performance by the Netherlands has rekindled local hopes of claiming the title at Soccer City and has brought a new sense of unity among the Dutch after national elections in June failed to produce a clear winner.

The 1,00,000 people set to gather at Amsterdam's Museum Square on Sunday night to watch the final on giant screens will easily top the 70,000 who came to watch Tuesday's semi-final between Netherlands and Uruguay, a city spokesperson said.

Canal cruise
Amsterdam, a city of 7,50,000 inhabitants, could see more than one million people on the streets to welcome the Dutch side home on Tuesday, the spokesperson said, adding the city had made security and transport arrangements in preparation.

If they become world champions the team will take a cruise on Amsterdam's picturesque canals where they would be cheered on by horn-honking fans, a spectacle not seen since the country won the 1988 European Championship.

The players can also look forward to being greeted by a Dutch airforce F16 plane, painted orange, on their flight back to the Netherlands, the Dutch defence ministry said on Saturday.

Such a homage was last paid to judo champion Mark Huizinga after he won a gold medal in the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

The Dutch have brushed off a prediction they will lose to Spain which was made by Paul the octopus, who has earned worldwide celebrity status by accurately predicting the outcome of all six of Germany's World Cup matches.

Some Dutch point out they have the backing of Mani, a Singaporean parakeet also credited with forecasting powers.

"I think the parrot predicted that Holland is going to win and the octopus is going on the barbeque," said Dutch fan Joek Dingsdag in Amsterdam.