Former Netherlands international handball player Estavana Polman announced her retirement from professional handball on Friday, April 17, 2026, prompting a spontaneous and lighthearted appearance by her partner, former Dutch football star Rafael van der Vaart, on the popular Dutch television show Vandaag Inside.
The couple, who reside together in Bucharest, Romania, where Polman plays for Rapid București, were contacted by the show’s producers following her retirement announcement. During the video call, Polman explained that van der Vaart had initially avoided appearing on camera, stating he was going to lie down on the bed and would not be visible.
“Raf is gone. I wanted to obtain him on screen, but he said: ‘I’m going to lie in bed. I won’t be in the picture at all.’ He left with a toilet roll under his arm,” Polman said, laughing, as reported by multiple Dutch media outlets including VoetbalPrimeur and VoetbalZone.
When asked by presenter Wilfred Genee whether the bedroom was far away, Polman did not hesitate and walked toward the bedroom, where she found van der Vaart already lying in bed. Upon seeing him, she exclaimed, “There he is!” as van der Vaart appeared live on television, waving casually at the camera.
The unexpected appearance drew laughter and applause from the studio audience. Polman later clarified that van der Vaart was not naked, stating, “He wasn’t naked. It’s okay,” reinforcing the lighthearted nature of the moment.
The incident occurred shortly after Polman confirmed her decision to retire from elite handball at the age of 33. In interviews with Dutch publications such as AD.nl and De Telegraaf, she reflected on her career, expressing gratitude and stating that her journey had surpassed her earliest dreams.
Polman and van der Vaart have been in a relationship for several years and share a daughter named Jesslynn. They have previously indicated plans to relocate from Romania to the Netherlands following her retirement, having purchased a home in Huissen, a town near Arnhem in the eastern Netherlands.
During the Vandaag Inside segment, van der Vaart briefly waved at the camera before the conversation continued, with Polman returning to the main room to continue the interview. The moment was widely shared across Dutch social media and sports news platforms for its spontaneity and humor.
As of now, neither Polman nor van der Vaart has announced any immediate next steps regarding their move to Huissen or future professional endeavors. Polman’s retirement marks the end of a distinguished international handball career that included appearances at major tournaments representing the Netherlands.
For continued updates on Dutch athletes transitioning to life after sport, follow trusted sources covering athlete transitions and lifestyle developments in the Netherlands and abroad.
