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The Hague - Dutch newspapers have hailed, in bold orange letters on Wednesday, their footballers' achievement in reaching the country's third World Cup final after a 3-2 victory over two-time winners Uruguay.
"FINALS!" screams the front page of the popular Telegraaf daily with a picture of a roaring lion, the Dutch national symbol, and a half-page action shot of the third goal scored by winger Arjen Robben.
"Oranje (the team's nickname) smells gold," it continued, adding: "The Netherlands has had to wait 32 years for it" - referring to the country's last appearance in a World Cup final in 1978, when it lost to Argentina.
"Finally, icons for our couch potato generation," said the NRC Next daily with a big picture of a celebrating goal scorer Robben.
"One more victory, and Oranje is champion," it added.
The newspapers were filled to the brim with photos of Oranje fans celebrating in the Netherlands and South Africa, as the Christian daily Trouw stated that the Dutch triumph over Uruguay should help settle the "trauma" of the 1974 and 1978 World Cup losses.
"Oranje through to dream final," said the newspaper.
The front page of the Volkskrant leftist newspaper was dominated by a photograph of 35-year-old captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst celebrating his goal - a spectacular long range effort for the opening goal - and the title: "Oranje in finals again after 32 years."
