Boskamp: 'Every time I look with amazement at what is happening'
One of the greatest moments in Dutch football history took place 25 years ago in the European Championship final against Denmark. The Netherlands won the European Championship after a penalty series. Wim Kieft missed the first penalty for the Orange, but in the end Denmark was defeated 5-4. Wim Kieft says he still has vivid memories of that moment, even though he missed the penalty.
"The last time I saw Peter Schmeichel, I asked him 'how did you manage to stop my penalty?'", Kieft says with a smile. "He replied: 'Wim, I didn't save your penalty, you put it wide yourself.' But there is something in what he says and that is why I still get goosebumps from it today when I watch those images. That shot should have been a goal. But it was not. The tension was enormous."
Even though Kieft got the blame for his missed penalty, he has always maintained that he did not lose the European Championship. "I am responsible for my own shot, but I did not decide whether we won or lost the European Championship. We did that together as a team." Kieft says he has never been bothered by the fact that he missed the first penalty. "After that missed penalty, I also got four chances to make it up and I succeeded. That is what matters in football. You fall and you get up again." Kieft says he is still proud of what he and his team achieved 25 years ago. "We won the European Championship and that is something that will never be taken away from us. It still gives me goosebumps when I think about it."
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