Boudewijn Zenden - International Career

International Career

Zenden made his debut for the Dutch national team in a 1998 World Cup qualification match against San Marino on April 30, 1997. He was included in the starting formation, and played the entire game as the Netherlands won 6–0. He was called up to represent the Netherlands at the 1998 World Cup in France, where Zenden started the tournament as a substitute. Coming on twice as a substitute, he was selected to start in the semi-final loss to Brazil. He was once more selected to play in the 3rd placing playoff against Croatia, where he scored a goal after a solo run and a powerful long-range shot. After scoring, he attempted to celebrate with an acrobatic somersault, but failed, throwing himself head first to the ground.

It was during the run-up to Euro 2000 that he gained acclaim, with the tournament itself providing the platform some of his finest performances. His raw pace and acceleration down the flank, coupled with his ability to function both as a wing-forward and as a wing-back made him a versatile player to have in the squad. His man-of-the-match performance in a friendly against Germany at the turn of the millennium cemented his position in the national team—he set up the opening goal for Patrick Kluivert, then added his own name to the scoresheet with a thunderous volley from Ronald de Boer's corner, before nearly putting the gloss on the finish when he left the entire German defence for dead with his raw pace, beat the goalkeeper with his shot, only for it to rebound off the upright.

Zenden played in all five Dutch matches at Euro 2000. Carrying his pre-tournament form into the big event, Zenden grabbed a goal against Denmark and the winner against France to help the Netherlands finish top of Group D. The Dutch annihilated the Yugoslavians 6–1 in the quarter-final; Zenden once again put in a stellar performance, including the assist for what turned out to be Kluivert's hat-trick goal. He started the semi-final against Italy, but he was substituted in a game that would see the Dutch be eliminated on penalties. Zenden was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, along with compatriots Patrick Kluivert (top goalscorer), Frank de Boer, and Edgar Davids.

Zenden featured again in Euro 2004 (Euro 2004), though he only played the first half of the first match against Germany. Following the tournament, Zenden, like other experienced players including Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids, found himself excluded from the national squad selection by new Dutch national team coach Marco van Basten. Since September 2004, Zenden has not been called up, and the injury he suffered in December 2005 put paid to any chance he might have had of playing in the 2006 World Cup.