Netherlands: the new Boys from Ipanema

Jun 10, 2014 - 1:31 AM They go to sleep with the sound of the waves just 20 metres away, they wake up to see the sands of Ipanema shining in the first rays of sun, they train under the gaze of the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

The Dutch players are well known for their good football and for having lost three World Cup final - more than any other team - but if there were a prize for the best accommodation at Brazil 2014, then the "oranje" would win hands down.

The team coached by Louis van Gaal were labelled the new "Boys from Ipanema" by newspaper O Globo on Sunday.

Their hotel is really in Ipanema, next to one of Rio's best beaches.

If they wish to, the Dutch players can cross the Avenida Atlantica onto the beach.

The training ground they have chosen - Flamengo's Jose Bastos Padilha stadium - is just a few minutes away by bus, in the comfortable suburb of Gavea. The gym they frequent doesn't even need a bus journey - they go there on foot.

The Dutch will make their debut on Friday against Spain in a rerun of the 2010 final in South Africa, which was decided by a goal from Spaniard Andres Iniesta in the 116th minute.

While considering how to deal with Spain, the main problem for the Dutch is the heat.

"We are not used to so much heat and humidity," said Manchester United striker Robin van Persie Sunday.

In theory, Rio is now entering the southern winter, but the reality is that these pre-World Cup days are more like summer.

Therefore, van Gaal's charges trained Monday with a small ice pack at the top of their backs. They are trying to get used to the heat they will face Friday in Salvador, which is the start of a tour around Brazil which will take them to the potentially cold Porto Alegre to face Australia then to variable Sao Paulo to play against Chile.

Meanwhile, the Dutch enjoy Brazil. They are not in the middle of nowhere like Germany, they are not surrounded by depressed areas like Spain, they do not train in a military camp like England.

Source: AAP