Advocaat's family rule and Room's historic 15 saves

Advocaat lets families share rooms, and the pictures say it all

Dick Advocaat has a rule no other World Cup coach will touch. Players can room with their wives and girlfriends during the tournament (1). The Dutch press picked it up and ran with it. A reporter from sportnieuws.nl wrote that the women have been given the green light, and the images coming out of the Curaçao camp back it up (1). King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima dancing with the squad in the locker room is not just a PR win. It is a team that looks genuinely happy.

Germany 7–1 in the opener, but you took your point

Your team lost 7–1 to Germany in the group stage (2). That one hurt. But the response was instant: a 0–0 draw against Ecuador, and Curaçao have their first ever World Cup point.

Room made 15 saves. A statue is being discussed.

Eloy Room stopped 15 shots against Ecuador, the most by any keeper at a World Cup since 1966 (3). That is not hyperbole, it is an all-time record. On the island, fans have started a campaign to build him a statue. Room is the reason you are still alive in this tournament.

Fan reactions

Curaçao fans are treating Room like a folk hero. The statue talk is not a joke, supporters are posting sketches and location suggestions. The mood after Ecuador was pure relief and pride, and the family-room policy has only made the squad more beloved.