Netherlands

For those who wish to see Derry city prosper, I recommend a trip to the South Holland city of Gorinchem…

Am Ghobsmacht on June 6, 2021, 12:46 pm

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There are two types of people in this world; those who wish to see Derry city prosper and those who wish to see it fail. I’m in the former camp and as such I’m unimpressed with those in the latter camp, whether their M.O. be by means of bombs or political sabotage (just covering all the incoming whataboutery bases). For those firmly in the prosper camp then might I recommend a trip to the South Holland city of Gorinchem? (Somehow …

Eurovision 2014: “I felt like tonight Europe showed that we are a community of respect and tolerance…”

Pete Baker on May 12, 2014, 6:46 pm

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Well, perhaps… A bearded Austrian man in a dress, Conchita Wurst, won the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen on Saturday night with “Rise Like a Phoenix” – the title quote was his line from the winner’s press conference. The 25-year-old singer also told reporters in Vienna On the theme of tolerance, Wurst told reporters in the Austrian capital: “This will remain an issue for a long time and I fear I won’t see the end of it in my lifetime. It …

ICC T20 World Cup 2014: Ireland v Netherlands

Pete Baker on March 21, 2014, 9:00 am

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With two wins in their opening two games of the ICC World Twenty20 2014, Ireland are two points clear at the top of Group B with one game left. A win against the Netherlands this morning will see them comfortably through to the Super 10 stage. A loss will open the door to both the Netherlands and Zimbabwe – who easily overhauled UAE earlier today – to top the final group standings on Net Run Rate. There can be only one… Tournament hosts Bangladesh have already progressed to the …

How the Dutch have seen us

Patrick Corrigan on October 4, 2012, 7:43 pm

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There are some great images of local interest in this Netherlands photographic archive. They give a fascinating glimpse of how the Dutch have seen us down through the years. From the home of William III, we can see a September 1690 pamphlet account of his military campaign in Ireland, including the siege of Derry and the Battle of the Boyne, right through to a not-so-appreciative account of the men of Orange to be found in a newspaper cartoon at the height …

Euro crisis: “Hold your sides and laugh out loud, otherwise you’ll have to cry.”

Pete Baker on May 11, 2012, 4:33 pm

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Despite some optimistic noises overnight, it still seems more likely than not that Limbo Greece will face new elections. As the Guardian live-blog noted earlier today The Democratic left party in Greece has said it will not back a pro-bailout government. That almost certainly means that Venizelos’s attempts to form a government coalition around agreement on the bailout terms are dashed and that the country will face fresh elections In the meantime, there are still a few days left to catch eurosceptic Michael Portillo’s …

Euro crisis: April is the cruellest month…

Pete Baker on April 30, 2012, 5:27 pm

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Apart from all the others… And it doesn’t matter how big your umbrella is. BBC Europe editor, Gavin Hewitt, on springtime in Europe What is being exposed is a major flaw with Mrs Merkel’s fiscal pact. It is undemocratic. It ties the hands of future governments – and that, of course, was its intention but it doesn’t stop voters opposing further cuts. In the eurozone, deficits are being reduced. But debt – in many cases – is still growing. Growth …

Euro crisis: “It is nice to have a big umbrella…”

Pete Baker on April 23, 2012, 5:04 pm

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The Guardian’s Economics blog starts with an interesting observation Those who watched Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund a year ago say he played a blinder. Although he was to leave Washington under a cloud shortly afterwards, DSK impressed with his no-nonsense approach to his fellow Europeans. The IMF‘s managing director asked Jean-Claude Trichet, then president of the European Central Bank (ECB), and Christine Lagarde, at the time France’s finance minister, who they thought they …

“What is clear is that Dublin’s perspective will not be the defining one.”

Pete Baker on April 5, 2011, 4:44 pm

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In his Irish Times European Diary Arthur Beesley sketches out the domestic political pressures elsewhere which may hinder the Irish Government’s attempt to renegotiate the terms of their bail-out. From the Irish Times article In Portugal, fellow socialist Jose Socrates talked himself into an early election a few weeks ago by failing to win support for a new austerity drive. The country is said to be in a funk of despair over the prospects of a bailout. Look northwards from Spain …

ICC World Cup 2011: Ireland v Netherlands

Pete Baker on March 18, 2011, 10:37 am

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Ireland’s final game in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is underway. Ireland won the toss and decided to field. The Netherlands have set a big total for Ireland to chase with ten Doeschate making 106 run from 108 balls. ESPNCricinfo over-by-over commentary. Netherlands 306 all out from 50 overs. Target 307. Ireland innings Porterfield c Buurman b Cooper 68 (93 b 10×4 0x6) FoW 177 for 1 from 27 overs Stirling c Kervezee b Seelaar 101 (72 b 14×4 2×6) FoW …

The ‘psychic’ octopus was right!

Pete Baker on July 7, 2010, 10:03 pm

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As predicted by Paul, the ‘psychic’ octopus, Spain overcame an impressive German team via a single goal from the head of Puyol. RTÉ match report here. Sunday’s FIFA World Cup Final will now see the Spanish side take on the Netherlands. Here’s RussiaToday’s report of that prediction. On rumours that the eight-tentacled wonder had gone into hiding following reported death threats, The Spoof tells us that residents of Newby, Isle of Wight, have been sworn to secrecy… And I, for one, welcome our new cephalopod overlords… …