The European Championships evolved from a four-team event to an eight team affair in 1980 and although that particular edition was somewhat tame, in 1984 and 1988, Europe was treated to two excellent tournaments in France and Germany respectively. Prior … Continue reading The Euros – 1976 to 1988: Penalties, Platini and volleys
FOOTBALL’s polarisation over the past decade has prompted league administrators and business people to discuss solutions that can prevent their clubs from being marginalised. The game has become corporatized, meaning money talks louder than ever before in football. Size really … Continue reading A game of survival: The Dutch, the Belgians and BeNeLiga
AMSTERDAM was a “cool” place in 1970. It was one of the last cities to dispense with hippy culture, the hair was long, the clothes bright and the mood upbeat. It was liberated and easy and the Dutch were among … Continue reading Ajax 1971 – men of their time
MORE THAN 50 years ago, Feyenoord pulled off one of the great shocks of European club football. While everyone remembers Ajax and Cruyff, Rinus Michels and the European hat-trick, Feyenoord’s 1970 European Cup triumph has been somewhat overlooked by many. … Continue reading Europe’s Champions: Feyenoord 1970, the forgotten Dutch masters
AMSTERDAM was a “cool” place in 1970. It was one of the last cities to dispense with hippy culture, the hair was long, the clothes bright and the mood upbeat. It was liberated and easy and the Dutch were among … Continue reading Europe’s Champions: AFC Ajax 1970-71
A YEAR ago, Ajax were the darlings of Europe as they disposed of Juventus and Real Madrid and looked set to reach the UEFA Champions League final. In 2020, Ajax have left the European stage already having lost to Getafe … Continue reading AZ Alkmaar challenge the Dutch “big three”
