Hans Eijkenbroek (left) shakes hands with Belgian captain Pol van Himst in 1968 as captain of the Dutch national team. – Photo: National Archives
A captain par excellence. For Sparta Rotterdam and the Dutch national team. The KNVB has learned with sadness of the passing of Hans Eijkenbroek. The former Oranje international passed away on Saturday at the age of 84.
In the late 1960s, Hans Eijkenbroek played 18 times for the Dutch national team. The Sparta player gained the confidence of national coach Georg Kessler, who also appointed him as captain in 12 international matches. The central defender played hard, but fair. He was also strong in the air and blessed with a perfect sliding tackle. During all 18 international matches, Rinus Israel stood next to him in the heart of the defence. Johan Cruijff, Jan van Beveren, Willem van Hanegem, Wim Janssen and Piet Keizer were also part of the Dutch national team at that time.
Central defender Hans Eijkenbroek (4) in the friendly match against England in 1969 at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. — Photo: National Archives
Captain’s armband
Eijkenbroek made his debut in Oranje in 1967, in the Antwerp Bosuil against Belgium. He was already 27 years old. A relative late bloomer, because Sparta also only picked him up at the age of 23 at Hermes DVS. In his sixth international, Eijkenbroek took over the captain’s armband from Bennie Muller. Oranje won that encounter in De Kuip with 3-1 against the Soviet Union.
Eijkenbroek from Schiedam remained a regular for the Dutch national team until 1970. His last international match was also his best. At a full Wembley, in front of 75,000 spectators, the Dutch team managed to pull a 0-0 draw against England. At that time the reigning world champions. Before the match, Eijkenbroek exchanged the match flags with the legendary Bobby Charlton, captain of England. After František Fadrhonc took over the national coachship from Georg Kessler later that year, Eijkenbroek disappeared from the picture at the Dutch team.
Hans Eijkenbroek was an icon of Sparta. — Photo: National Archives
Icon of Sparta
The former defender played for Sparta Rotterdam for over ten years and won the KNVB Cup in 1966. He ended his active career at Willem II. As (assistant) coach he worked at Sparta, AZ, Roda JC and FC Dordrecht. At AZ he worked with Georg Kessler again. With Eijkenbroek as assistant, the Alkmaar team experienced their most successful season ever in 1980/’81. AZ became national champion, won the cup and played the final of the UEFA Cup.
The KNVB wishes the family, friends and other relatives of Hans Eijkenbroek much strength in coping with this great loss.
