Minute of silence for Bartina Koeman ahead of Germany‑Netherlands duel

On the evening before the Nations League duel between Germany and the Netherlands in Amsterdam, a minute of silence will be held for Bartina Koeman, who died last week at the age of sixty‑five after battling chronic breast cancer for several years. The commemorative minute is intended to express the respect of the entire football community in the Netherlands.

Before the match of the German national team against the host the Oranje, the minute of silence will be announced in the stadium. Many figures of Dutch football, including former players and officials, will join the remembrance.

Details on the death of Bartina Koeman

Bartina Koeman had died last week at the age of sixty‑five. She had been suffering from chronic breast cancer for several years.

Because of today’s funeral, the Oranje team has already adjusted the preparation for the Nations League match on Thursday at 20:45. The press conference with the new national team coach Xavi and captain Virgil van Dijk took place already in the morning. This allows long‑time staff members of Ronald Koeman to attend the mourning ceremony.

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"It all happened so quickly. She was a wonderful woman and a fighter," said Virgil van Dijk about Bartina Koeman.

Ronald Koeman had stepped down from the position of national team coach after the poor World Cup, in which the Netherlands were eliminated in the second‑round play‑off against Morocco. The move was made to have more time for his ill wife.

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The minute of silence highlights how strongly the football community in the Netherlands stands together when a member of its family is lost.