The long time Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once said:
4. "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."
I rarely share the opinions of the Scousers but with this one I do agree. Those of us that care about football know that it consumes you. There is nothing quite like walking inside a stadium for the first time. It's magical!
I am starting a list of things I find curious about the Netherlands.
1) Trains
Ok, tonight in the train there was a guy playing a guitar and half of the train car was either singing with him or chearing. People here are so friendly and open that it is hard to believe sometimes.
2) Weather
I know that it rains a lot but because of the rain you get to appreciate every second of sunshine more.
3) Football Games
At the start of the game the players throw flowers at the public. How Dutch is that?
I think I fell in love today. The stadium, the fans, the game. Yes, I know it was not a victory, just 2:2. But this is how I would imagine the perfect game - so many emotions! Ajax had the most amazing comeback - they were 0:2 down in the half time but came out for the second half as a completely different team. I can't recall when was the last time I felt so nervous during a penalty. But it was worth it: just to see the explosion of joy on the stadium. The feeling you get when your team scores and you are on the stadium, it does not compare to anything. It's pure hapiness for a few brief seconds. I think my heart stopped around six times in this game: not only for the two goals, but aslo when Ajax hit the post (twice!) and after that when AZ had two chances to score in the second half.
I hope Vermeer gets better soon but the reserve goalie Jasper Cillessen also did a very good job. He saved an almost certain goal in the last minutes. I expect to hear more about him in the future.
Ajax - this team has a real spirit. All the players are so young but you can see that they are fighters. I haven't felt like this towards a team since 2002. I am probably falling in love with the giants from Amsterdam.
