Evert Kroon

Evert Kroon is widely regarded as the best goalie in Dutch water polo history. Known for his ability to jump high above the water, his performance (11 saves) in the 1976 Olympic match against the Soviet Union was crucial as he helped the Dutch team win 3-2, and move into final competition stage. The result surprisingly eliminated the USSR. The Netherlands then went on to win bronze, thus equaling their best Olympic performance of 1948. It was also Kroon’s best international result, his second best being a fourth place in the 1974 European Championships. In domestic competition, he represented HZC De Robben (Hilversum), the dominant team in the league during his career, and he won eight national titles. Outside of water polo, Kroon worked as a tax official, and later owned a sports goods store.