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THE Dutch football team are instantly recognisable in their orange kit.
The iconic shirts will be back on the pitch as the Netherlands go up against England in the Euros 2024 semi-finals.
GettyWhy do the Netherlands wear orange?
Orange has been considered the national colour of Netherlands for years.
It is the colour of the Dutch royal family – the House of Orange-Nassau.
William I of Orange was the founder of the House of Orange-Nassau in 1544.
Despite going through a period of being a republic the country has been a constitutional monarchy since 1815.
As a result wearing orange is traditional in the country, not only for sporting stars and fans from football to athletics, but also when celebrating King’s Day.
Due to its famous kit, the Netherlands football team goes by the nickname Oranje, with fans known as The Orange Legion.
GettyThe team is expected to wear the orange kit during their Euros 2024 semi-final match against England on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
However if the team wear their second kit, orange is still featured in the navy blue block-shape shirts, with orange cuffs and neck.
The Orange Army is also the name given to the supporters of Dutch two-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen.
Why is the Dutch flag not orange?
Despite the national colour being orange, the Dutch flag is red, white and blue.
At the top, you’ll find red, which symbolises bravery.
Then, there is white which represents peace and honesty.
Finally, you’ll have blue at the bottom which means truth and justice.
Placed horizontally on top of each other, they make up the flag of the Netherlands.
The red was orange before 1664, however, when the Netherlands went through major political changes in their country, they replaced the hue.
GettyIt represented the political change that was turning the Netherlands into a Republic and disassociating it from the royal family.
Despite the country becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1815, the colour was kept as red.
King Willem-Alexander has reigned since April 13, 2013.
Why is the Netherlands also called Holland?
Holland has become an accepted term for the whole of the Netherlands – although it is not geographically accurate.
“Holland” is actually just two of the 12 provinces that make up the country – North Holland and South Holland.
The reason for the nickname of Holland dates back to the years between 1588 and 1795.
This is when the Netherlands was called the Republic of Seven United Netherlands.
In 1806, Napoleon appointed Louis as King as the country turned into a kingdom.
The area which was called “Holland” was the largest contributor to the economy and wealth in the Netherlands.
As a result, most trade deals were made with Holland.
Who is Euro 2024's sexiest star?
EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.
Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.
But who is the sexiest?
Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.
And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.
In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.
While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.
But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story.
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