Last updated: 06 Sep 2025, 20:10
RAV van den Berg (21) recently put himself on the map with an excellent EK on behalf of the Dutch Juniors. Football zone The Zwolle defender spoke in Zeist, where he told about his beautiful summer.
By Wessel Antes
“The transfer period is always a bit hectic. There was a lot of interest, but in the end that is not always concrete. Other transfers were not as far advanced as the media made it look. I am happy that I was able to take a nice step. It ended well,” Van den Berg begins his story.
After two seasons at Middlesbrough, Van den Berg recently made his debut for 1. FC Köln, which paid millions for him. “It is a big club with a fanatic supporters, and also close to home. I now want to prove myself in the Bundesliga, and then take a step higher.”
Van den Berg is already feeling in place in Cologne. “I have already made friends, so that’s nice. I understand about 75 percent of German, but as soon as I am in my new house next week, I will immediately take language lessons. My brother Sepp recommended that, according to him that is very appreciated in Germany.”
Slovakia
Van den Berg started the European Championship in June as a reserve, but conquered a base place after two games. He looks back with a good feeling at his first final tournament with the Dutch Juniors. “I think I took my chance and played a good European Championship. It’s a shame that we lost that semi -final, because there had been more in it. All in all, I look back on it positively.”
Van den Berg takes that feeling at the start of a new cycle with the Dutch Juniors. “The last time everything was new to me, but now it feels familiar. Yet I can’t say if things have changed, it is really too early for that. I only saw the new boys for an hour and a half.”
Who of the previous batch will miss Van den Berg the most? “Calvin Raatsie, really a top guest. I can call several guys, but he is the first to come to mind.” The right leg thinks that his former defense partner Jorrel Hato is the first to make the move to the Dutch national team. “Actually he has already set it, so I also mention Kenneth Taylor.”
Imago
Leader
Van den Berg expects to take a new role towards the next youth-ek at the Dutch Juniors. “I think so, but I have not yet spoken with the staff. I absolutely believe that I can play an important role in this cycle. If the trainer gives me that role, I tackle that chance with both hands.”
On Tuesday, September 9, the Dutch Juniors will start qualifying with a home game against the peers from Israel. Van den Berg has a clear picture of that competition. “If you look at our qualities, we just have to win. I look forward to playing with the new guys.”
“It is always nice to see how a new group is developing. I am very curious about the differences with the previous cycle,” concludes Van den Berg.
