So, sorry if this already exists but I can't find it, I thought it would be a good idea to set up a Dutch football thread. Dreadful result against Mexico tonight for the National team but it was nice to see Berghuis get a game. I think this year it'll be well worth keeping an eye on the Eredivisie, specially with the likes of Götze coming in at PSV, and Arjen Robben coming home to roost at Groningen, I think Feyenoord have strengthened this season too, although AZ gave a good account of themselves last season, no one but Ajax was really going to finish top of the pile, however I think it'll be a bit more open this season. I'd also recommend occasionally having a peek at the Eerste Divisie, personally I think NAC will be run away winners, Sydney Van Hoojdonk, son of legendary Pierre is certainly a talent to keep an eye on. Cambuur will also be an interesting team to watch. The football in the second tier is quite unbalanced and teams tend to play a very gung-ho style of football so you do occasionally get insane scorelines.
Good idea, Meat tbh I quite like the Dutch football, leaguewise of course, not including the Oranje team . As most of you here know I can't stand the Dutch National team, for obvious reasons. Over the decades many German Bundesliga players played in the Dutch Top Flight which had been phenomenal in the early 70's especially when Feyenoord and Ajax ruled, not only the Dutch League but also European Football. I still remember when I was a kid of 8-9 years that we were in awe when we saw Ajax Amsterdams total football during European nights with the uncomparable Johan Cruyff leading them. We kids in Hamburg were totally over the moon when Horst Blankenburg who won 3 times the European Cup with Ajax wanted to come back to Germany and decided to play for HSV. Although he then only played for 2 seasons ('76 and '77) he was also a key factor for HSV winning the German Cup in 1976 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1977 But I'm making a digression, as always when I remember the past glory of HSV . Anyway, just wanted to say good luck with the thread. I hope you keep us informed a bit about the ongoings in the Dutch league(s). Normally the interest here in this forum is naturally more focussed on the british leagues which is of course understandable for a british forum but I like all the efforts for bringing other European Leagues to the attention here Be assured, although I maybe not contribute much, i'll read with interest everything here about the Eredivisie (and also lower Dutch Leagues ) You have to love the Dutch League also for the names of some clubs, there's for example: the V-club, VVV Venlo. Brilliant Or Willem II Tilburg, Heracles (Almelo) and Ajax (Amsterdam). Through personal acquaintances, I follow a bit the luck of De Graafschap, the "Super Boeren (Super Bauern/Super Farmer(Peasants) ) They're playing in the Dutch Eerste Divisie (or Keuken Kampioen Divisie as it's actually called).
Excellent stuff, I'll be sure to do my best to keep you guys updated of anything I think is interesting! Yes the names in Dutch football are fantastic.... All the Vs and the infamous 'Go Ahead Eagles' Hopefully if there isn't much interest in Dutch football to begin with, this thread can generate some!
Very good. Ah, how could I forget the famous Go Ahead Eagles Deventer (btw: Founding name was "Be Quick" ) Yes, I like that very much. The Dutch are here more easy going unlike the Germans. Can't imagine that we would name a club (Kaiser)Wilhelm II Hamburg or so (but we have a club called SV Wilhelmshaven but that's because it's from the city Wilhelmshaven). In the founding days many German clubs were named "Teutonia", "Germania", "Alemannia" or "Borussia/Preußen". Even the Hamburger SV was founded as SC Germania Hamburg in 1887. In 1919 due to financial problems after WWI and problems to get enough players they amalgamated with 2 other Hamburg clubs, Hamburger FC and Falke 06 to Hamburger SV. Anyway, enough about German club naming, here's Dutch not Deutsch football Hope dies last
I'm sure I'll go to loads of Dutch grounds when the pandemic is over (still very strict regulations these days, not sure of the details but I prefer to do French lower league grounds this season at least). Amsterdam is only a cheap bus ticket away and the train network is very organized (feels German). Went with @Kim Mitten to Feyenoord v Utrecht back in 2009 (Christ, time flies) which ended 0-0 and always wanted to do Ajax and PSV's grounds. It's on my to-do list but won't say no Alkmaar, Enschede, Heerenveen etc. Funny story: last winter, I was doing a European tour of 4 grounds (3 French and one Dutch) in 5 days . The Dutch ground was an encounter between Alkmaar and Partizan Belgrade which was held at The Hague because Alkmaar's stadium's roof fell a couple of months prior to the game. Like a rookie, I thought I'd pick up my match ticket on the day only for The Hague police to order no ticket sales that same day! A miserable night under the rain turned out to be alright as I watched the game with some Serbs in a pub which was probably much more fun than watching it in the ground but you know, the ground is better. A couple of days later, I went to the South of France only to experience Monaco's only home game to ever be postponed due to weather conditions! 2019 was not a great year for me. 2020 isn't great either but it's not great for anyone (except supermarkets I suppose). Anyway, those are my only Dutch stories. Can't wait for the pandemic to be over so I can go there.
Excellent stuff! A good friend of mine lives in Utrecht now and before the pandemic he went to loads of games and said the same the trains are very organised. He's been to 3 or 4 local like 7th tier games recently. It they've tightened the restrictions on crowds again (boooo) When restrictions lift I plan on going to visit him and getting 2 or maybe more games in over 4 days or so.
Fc Eindhoven take on Excelsior tonight. (20:00 GMT) Excelsior are on a losing streak losing 4 of their last 5 games. 3 of those defeats have been back to back. Eindhoven git thumped 6-0 last time out by NEC, but they've been difficult to beat in previous games, holding Roda 3-3 and beating Jong PSV 2-1 away. I might be completely wrong but I expect a few goals in this fixture, with it ending in a draw or an Eindhoven Win.
League football from the 2nd tier during International break in the Netherlands. I wished we would do the same with Bundesliga 2 in Germany. But here Bundesliga1/2 don't play during an international, only from Liga3 downwards,
Just 3 fixtures in the Eerste Divisie today MVV vs GAE is currently 0-0 Almere should beat Roda but it could go either way as both teams will want to be in or around the promotion places come the end of the season. Telstar v TOP Oss is a bit of a weird one, nothing is expected from either team so it'll either be a goal fest, or the most boring game of football you've ever seen.
That's one reason that the 2nd Bundesliga won't play during an international break, although I don't think that there's a large amount of players on international duty for their countries. Most are playing in the 1st Bundesliga. Anyway, it is what it is. I don't like it at all that the 2nd Bundesliga doesn't play. 2-0 for the Eagles at the end, midtable position now. btw: at 9pm CET it's #6Telstar vs #19 Top Oss. Hopefully Oss won't lose this otherwise they might have to change their name to Top Loss
Very good haha, we'll have to see, I knew Almere would win their game too. Yes 2 goals for GAE in the end they are a decent side to be honest, brilliant fans and old school ground too.
An absolute cracker today, Cambuur in fine Form, granted Dordrecht aren't the biggest test they'll face this season, but impressive nonetheless. Cambuur are probably the only team I feel confident in saying they'll be able to chase NAC all season, I still think NAC will finish top of the pile by some way come the end of the season mind.
That's a statement from Cambuur. They're already on a good way again for promotion to the Eredivisie. Last season it was very hard for Cambuur when they were denied promotion although they were in 1st place when due to the covid19-pandemic the Netherlands FA decided to cancel the season for all leagues. So it's only fair if they win promotion this season.
Very harsh on them.. And AZ who were pushing Ajax got the title... Ajax get LOTS favours from the Dutch FA... Like being given a rest from fixtures before they played Tottenham in the CL semi-final.
Putting myself in the Dutch FA's shoes, I completely understand this decision. The Premiership has a lot of pressure that comes with lucrative TV deals which is not the case in Holland. I'm positive the KNVB would have done the same for any other Dutch club.
I live in Utrecht, so i always look out for their scores. Gonna get a season ticket when it all opens up again.
