Netherland players arrive home

Two fighter jets, one of them orange, escorted the Netherlands players through Dutch airspace and Schiphol airport staff formed a guard of honor when the team arrived home today, a day after losing the World Cup final in Johannesburg, South Africa.



The team was whisked by bus to a hotel on the North Sea coast before a string of welcome home events tomorrow, including meeting Queen Beatrix at her palace in The Hague in the morning followed by a boat tour through Amsterdam's canals, and a party in the city's Museum Square.



The events will hopefully help both players and fans shake off the depression caused by the team losing its third World Cup final.



Among the headlines in Dutch newspapers was "Not Again" above pictures of dejected Dutch players following the final whistle. The Netherlands also lost to hosts West Germany and Argentina in 1974 and 1978.



The Algemeen Dagblad daily's headline was "Orange tears."



Police across the country reported minor disturbances as disappointed fans fought and let off fireworks at the end of the match.