9/10
Shirt condition
Excellent condition
Excellent condition for a 2008 piece: no holes, no stains, no fading. Minimal wear, invisible to the eye. The v.NISTELROOY No.9 printing, the embroidered KNVB crest and both sleeve patches are intact (see real photos).
| Size |
XL |
| Brand |
Nike (Nike FIT technology) |
| Season |
2008-2009 (UEFA Euro 2008) |
| Version |
Away (sky blue, tricolour stripe) |
| Printing |
v.NISTELROOY No.9 |
| Patches |
EURO 2008 (right sleeve) + UEFA RESPECT (left sleeve) |
| Auth. code |
259032-479 independently verifiable |
Unsure about the size? Check the flat measurements above, or read my vintage football shirt size guide.
100% AUTHENTIC
✦ Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Item verified by hand in my authentication workshop. If an item bought from me is ever identified as a unofficial piece, I refund it in full. Guarantee with no expiry date.
- Nike Netherlands 2008 authentication: original inner label with product code 259032-479 (photo 4) — verifiable on your side, correct embroidered KNVB crest (photo 3), "NEDERLAND" woven behind the collar, EURO 2008 and RESPECT patches to UEFA specification
- Real photos of the exact item sold, never stock images
- Full method: authentication guide
🛠️ Workshop note — Worth saying: this sky blue is not a Manchester City shirt. It is the official Netherlands 2008 away kit, worn when orange was unavailable — an unusual colour choice that makes it one of the most recognisable Dutch shirts today.
📖 Euro 2008: the Netherlands' perfect group stage
In the summer of 2008, the Netherlands were drawn in the "group of death" with Italy (reigning world champions) and France (2006 finalists). They won all three matches with attacking football that defined the tournament. This sky blue shirt belongs to that campaign — and Ruud van Nistelrooy was its No.9.
📅 9 June 2008 — Netherlands 3-0 Italy. In this blue shirt, the Oranje dismantled the reigning world champions. Van Nistelrooy opened the scoring, with one of the most argued-about goals in Euro history (the offside call, upheld because of an injured player off the pitch).
📅 13 June 2008 — Netherlands 4-1 France. Four days later France fell too. Nine goals in two group games: the Dutch were the most spectacular side of the tournament.
📅 21 June 2008 — Russia 3-1 Netherlands (a.e.t.). A brutal ending in the quarter-final against Guus Hiddink's Russia — a former Dutch national coach. One of the great Dutch "what ifs".
👑 Ruud van Nistelrooy — a pure goalscorer, who played for PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Hamburg. Top scorer in the 2002-2003 Champions League, top scorer in La Liga in 2006-2007. An old-school No.9 whose national team shirts are increasingly sought after.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is the shirt 100% authentic?
Yes. Original Nike label photographed with product code 259032-479 (photo 4) — a code you can verify yourself. Embroidered KNVB crest, correct EURO 2008 and RESPECT patches. Real photos of the exact item sold, lifetime authenticity guarantee.
Why are the Netherlands playing in blue?
Orange is the home colour; sky blue was the away kit of the 2008 cycle, used when the opponent wore colours that were too close. It is the shirt the Oranje wore for the 3-0 win over Italy at Euro 2008.
Why does the printing say "v.Nistelrooy"?
That is the official form used by the Dutch national team: "van" shortened to "v." so the name fits across the back. A period detail that reprinted names rarely reproduce correctly (photo 5).
How does this 2008 Nike shirt fit in XL?
Nike shirts from 2008 run large, with a roomy period cut. Exact flat measurements above: 61 cm pit to pit, 78 cm long. Compare with a shirt you already wear.
How much is shipping and how fast?
Shipped within 48 working hours with tracked Colissimo (€5.99 within mainland France, free from €99.99). International rates and delivery times are detailed in my shipping FAQ. 14-day returns if unworn.