Monday is a special day for Gibraltar’s Netherlands born Niels Hartman. The midfielder born in Schoonhoven, Netherlands may play his first international match for Gibraltar in De Kuip.
Niels Hartman lives his dream at Gibraltar: “Crazy to be on one field with Memphis Depay”
Niels Hartman also had a view of an international match against his parents’ country a year and a half ago. The paperwork was not completed in time to actually play with Gibraltar. In fact, his debut for the British Crown Colony is still awaited.
Niels Hartman was close on Friday. To his delight, the midfielder was part of the Gibraltar squad for the first time. He saw from the bench how his country in Estádio Algarve, where Gibraltar had moved, went down 0-3 against Greece.
“It is a huge honor and a huge pleasure to be called up for Gibraltar,” Niels Hartman said in the run-up to the match against the Netherlands. “A game like that against the Greece national team was amazing to experience. I’ve never played in stadiums like this.”
Ronald Koeman is familiar with Niels Hartman’s presence
Monday may be an even more special moment. His international debut in his native country against players such as Memphis Depay and Virgil van Dijk. “It is unbelievable. These are the highest level players in the world. It is crazy to imagine that tomorrow I will be on a field with such players. My parents will be at the stadium so they can see my reaction live. I think they will be very proud and very happy for me,” he said.
Orange national coach Ronald Koeman is also familiar with Niels Hartman’s presence. “They even have a Dutchman in Niels Hartman, we just have to keep an eye on him,” he says with a wink during the press conference.
It remains to be seen whether Gibraltar national coach Julio Ribas will appeal to Niels Hartman. The manager hopes for a better result than the previous meeting in De Kuip. “The Netherlands is a beautiful country and we are therefore always happy to come here and meet a great team like the Netherlands national football team,” he added.
