AJAX became one of the early qualifiers for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, winning 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund to maintain their 100% record and bring their tally of goals to 14 in four group games. This is … Continue reading A new Ajax age unfolds
AJAX lost their unbeaten record in the Eredivisie last weekend, but they also published their financial statements for 2020-21 season, and like their 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Utrecht, they were a little tough to take. That said, … Continue reading Ajax in unfamiliar territory
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
Game of the people 