Dutchman Benjamin van den Broek is eyeing the double delight of a Holland triumph in Sunday’s World Cup final followed by a successful first full season with Shrewsbury Town.
The winger, who quickly became a crowd favourite after joining Town in February, will be glued to the television this weekend hoping his fellow countrymen will be crowned world champions for the first time.
He said he had been thrilled by Holland’s progress to the final and had enjoyed watching their games while recharging his batteries around the demands of pre-season training under new manager Graham Turner.
“I think we’ve got a pretty good chance of winning it and everybody’s been afraid of us,” said van den Broek, speaking ahead of last night’s second semi-final between Germany and Spain.
“I was back at home for the first couple of Dutch games and went into town to watch them. Everybody was in orange so that was good.”
Van den Broek said he was looking forward to his first full season at the Greenhous Meadow having rejected the chance to sign for several Dutch clubs in the summer to pen a one-year deal with Shrewsbury.
“I always wanted to stay at Shrewsbury Town but it was just hard for me to leave my family, friends and girlfriend,” he said.
“I’m all alone here so that was the hardest part of it, but I’m happy to be here and I want to show everybody that we can get promoted.
“I had a few contracts offered by clubs in Holland so it was a tough decision but I wanted to be here.”
Van den Broek admitted the demands of pre-season were tough but he’s determined to be in the best shape possible to secure a place in Turner’s team ahead of the League Two season which kicks off at home to Bradford City on August 7.
“It’s pretty hard, it’s pretty tough and I’m not used to it because in Holland everything’s with the ball, even in pre-season,” he added.
“We’re doing a lot of running, but it’s good for me, good for everybody.”
Meanwhile boss Turner, who will take Town to Birmingham City’s training ground for a behind closed doors game next Tuesday, has completed his backroom staff by appointing former Everton star Paul Gerrard as part-time goalkeeping coach.
“He’s had two sessions already with the goalkeepers and they were very impressive,” said Turner. “He will work two days a week at Oldham and two with us.
“His sessions have got plenty of variety. We need another goalkeeper and he will help us recruit.”
By Stuart Dunn