Heroes Magazine 74

Ronald Koeman graces the cover of the end-of-year issue of Helden, which also celebrates the fifteenth anniversary of the sports glossy. The national coach speaks out about his wife Bartina's illness, analysts' criticism of players and 'his' Oranje, the overcrowded schedule, Memphis Depay and his role as a grandfather.

The extra-thick anniversary issue looks back extensively on the fantastic sporting year of 2024. Sportsman of the Year Harrie Lavreysen has his say and numerous intimates explain the success of the track cyclist who won three Olympic gold medals and three world titles this year.

Power women Marit Bouwmeester and Sharon van Rouwendaal, both winners of gold in Paris and GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in their sport, also tell their story. New hero Worthy de Jong , famous for the golden shot with which he gave the 3x3 basketball players the title, meets Victoria Koblenko. Hockey goalie Pirmin Blaak finally gave the Dutch hockey players gold again, but he had to sacrifice a lot for it. Speaking of power women: what about Marianne Vos? The cyclist won Olympic silver in Paris at the age of 37 and took the world title on clay.

2024 was also the breakthrough year of Joy Beune. For a long time she was known as Kjeld Nuis' girlfriend, but this year she grew into the new skating queen. She won world titles in the team pursuit and 5000 meters and became a brilliant world champion allround. Time for a beautiful shoot.
And what about Jerdy Schouten? He won the national title with PSV, became an indispensable link for Peter Bosz's team and the Dutch national team in no time. He and his wife Kirsten also became parents of Gioia. "I did it anyway."
Further: Edwin and Annemarie van der Sar talk about the fate that struck them both: a brain haemorrhage. Annemarie had it in 2009, Edwin last year, shortly after he left Ajax. Edwin: "I have been asked a hundred thousand times whether it was due to stress and whether there was a cause. I don't know."

And further in this anniversary issue. Interviews and reports with and about Puck Pieterse, Jorn, Inger and Kay Smits, Selma Poutsma, Noortje- & Bregje de Brouwer, the golden rowers of the double four and Lamine Yamal.