Pierre van Hooijdonk and Rafael van der Vaart enjoyed Memphis Depay's performance during the friendly match against Iceland (4-0 win). The striker showed himself eager again.

In the final phase of the final match for the European Championship, Memphis provided an assist for Donyell Malen's goal and then seemed to determine the final score itself at 4-0, if it had not been for the Greek referee Evangelos Manouchos who scored the goal after the intervention of the VAR. was disallowed due to a handball by Joey Veerman.

“Memphis played very well. He was important and he has been that many times for the Dutch national team. I think he really exudes leadership on the field,” says Van Hooijdonk during the after-thought NOS.

Van der Vaart also enjoyed Memphis' performance against Iceland. “When I look at him, I almost feel like playing football again. Although that may be a bit too exaggerated and perhaps I shouldn't do that,” the former international jokes.

Van der Vaart also praised the thirty-year-old striker during half-time. “I think he's very fit. He radiates pleasure and is completely committed to his role. Really amazing. A bit out of rush hour, sometimes during rush hour. He often runs deep, gets good balls and then in my opinion he is unstoppable.”
Memphis' form could be essential for the Netherlands' European Championship, Van der Vaart thinks. “If you have this during rush hour, then that is of course nice. If Memphis continues this form, everything will be fine. It is only a practice match, but all signs indicate that he will play a good tournament.”

Sweatband

After the big win over Iceland, Memphis revealed three reasons why he wore a sweatband for the past two friendly matches: “It helps with sweat, that's why it's called a sweatband. Besides, it looks nice on me. My girlfriend thinks it looks nice on me, great. It's a new look, who cares? I feel good about it.”

Van Hooijdonk is in a hosanna mood and dares to make a bet after the Memphis interview: “If he shoots the Dutch national team to the final of the European Championship, Rafael and I will do our analysis with a headband (sweatband, ed.) around us. head.” Van der Vaart likes that bet: “I would very much like to, in fact.”

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