Hockey striker Olivier Hortensius is Still at Zero Goals for the Netherlands National Team. Yet, he experiences the European Championship in Mönchengladbach this week as a dream. On Saturday, he competes for the gold. “The Dream Scenario? You can Guess That.”
Hortensius is visible annoyed when he has to pass by the media on Thursday Evening after the 3-1 Victory about France in the Semi-Final. “Again?”, Asks Aloud. The 22-year-old Striker Feels Like he has toed his Story a Hundred Times in the Past Few Days.
His Presence in the Selection Alone is striking. Hortensius had only played two international matches when National coach Jeroen Delmee Told Him that he could go to the Title Tournament in Germany.
He now has eight international matches. But The Goal Counter is Still at Zero. Not good for anyone, certainly not for a striker. “It’s a bit up to myself. I always make the wrong choice,” he says. “And Maybe it’s also a bit of luck that is still missing.”
A Striker Always Wants To Score, Hortensius Admits. “That’s something I’ve always done,” he says. “But I’m not necessarily struggling with it. I’ve also shaken it off.”
Hortensius Debuted After Hernia and Hamstring Injury
The road to his first title Tournament was not easy. Hortensius Has Been Training with the Dutch National Team Since September last year. In The Winter, His Debut Seemed Near, But He Suffered a Hamstring Injury Duration One of the Training Sessions in Australia.
It Meant Another Blow for Hortensius, who had PreviOutly struggled with a hernia and underwent surgery for it last year. While His Teammates Played Matches In The Pro League, He trained Alone on the Other Side of the World.
In June, The Long Wait, Finally Rewarded With His First International Match Against Argentina was. Two Months later, he is fully part of the team in Mönchengladbach, who saw Win Olympic Gold in Paris a Year ago.
“I Didn’t Assume That I would be selected,” Says Hortensius. “I obviously hoped for it, but had no expectations. And now that I’m here, I really Enjoy Being able to Experience Such a Tournament with Those Guys. Every day again.”
‘European Title is also a dream’
Hortensius believes that the patience that earned him his debut will also Earn Him His First International Goal. He Feels the Confidence of his teammates. For Example, Captain Thierry Brinkman Points to his Contribution to goals from Others.
“Or course it’s nice to score, but it Doesn’t an affect my game that I harbor, scored for a while,” Says Hortensius. He Emphasizes That The Three Points Are Much More Important, But Quickly Corrects himself afterwards. “The final spot, or course.”
When the Word “Dream Scenario” is Mentioned Towards The End of the Interview, The Corners of Hortensius’ Mouth Turn Up. “Yes, you can guess that. A goal and European Championship Gold,” He says. “That would be a dream.”
But, he immediately adds: “Only a European Title is also a dream.”
The Netherlands Plays Against Germany in the European Championship Final on Saturday. The match starts at 6:00 pm.