Holland - Eredivisie

[Keizer7]

So next to Spurs, my favourite club has always been AFC Ajax. We were last champions in 2004. This sunday is the last game of the season. We play at home against regaining champions FC Twente. They have 71 pts, we have 70.. So we must win our last game to win the title! For the fans this is really exciting that the championship is going to be decided in the last game between no.1 en no.2.
My questions:
- Has this ever been the case in England?
- Do you follow/watch our division a little bit in a whole or not?
Suggestions for Spurs-scouts:
Stekelenburg (GK), Vertongen (CD), Eriksen (AM).

[spursman18]

I want Stekelenburg............

[Keizer7]

@spursman18
Well he is injured now, he wont play this game. But overall he had a great season and a good WC! His a bit VDSar-like !

[deejbah]

I watch the odd game now and then - it's quite amazing that the two teams have continued neck and neck for so long!

[Keizer7]

@deejbah
Yeah, last season it was the same story and we finished one point behind them.. This time it is in our own hands, but im not quite confident because they have a much more experienced side. Our team is very young and there are no real stars in it. Other thing what is quite remarkable is that from our first 11, 8 players are from our academy.

[spursman18]

@Keizer7

On May 22nd Ajax is coming over to play DC United in a friendly. I am thinking of going but do you have any idea what the Ajax team is going to look like as far as what players may travel since their season would be over. I imagine some players would get a rest and they'd bring most of their academy with them.

[Keizer7]

@spursman18
As far as i know now, our normal team will go. I think he will add some players from our academy too, for experience.
Only Christian Eriksen and Nicolai Boilesen wont be there, because they have the -21 European Championships in Denmark. Ill keep you updated when I know more.

[deejbah]

@Keizer7 Yes, Ajax obviously have a great youth system (like many Dutch clubs) and it is to their credit that they can bring their youngsters on so quickly. The Australian FA is trying to shift to the Dutch model of football organization and philosphy, so I have been interested in watching a match here and there. Although I coach a different sport than football, I found reading some of the Dutch coaching materials that I could find in English quite interesting.

[Filter]

I'm expecting Twente to win unfortunately. While Ajax has a younger and in potential more talented team, that makes them less stable and more inconsistent. Twente has a more balanced team, more experienced and physcially stronger, but also some young talent in players like Douglas, De Jong and Chadli.

[BlueCrew LA]

It's crazy, Twente had never won a title until last year and now they're on the cusp of two consecutive titles.

[BlueCrew LA]

@Keizer7 Yes, Ajax obviously have a great youth system (like many Dutch clubs) and it is to their credit that they can bring their youngsters on so quickly. The Australian FA is trying to shift to the Dutch model of football organization and philosphy, so I have been interested in watching a match here and there. Although I coach a different sport than football, I found reading some of the Dutch coaching materials that I could find in English quite interesting.

@deejbah

I wish we would do that here. It would never happen sensitive parents, politicians and media would never allow it.

This is the best article I've read on the differences between American and Dutch youth development systems. (NY Times)

How a Soccer Star Is Made - The New York Times

[Keizer7]

@deejbah
Yes, im aware of that. It started after Guus Hiddink managed your national team in 2006 and after him Pim Verbeek with I thought Rob Baan as Technical Director and now Han Berger.
Although, I think it could take a long time before your national team will get the benefit of this philosophy. However, when you dont have much footballers you have to be creative and I like the idea of Australian football takes the best out of our football education!

@BlueCrew LA
Yes that's a very interesting article.
But our youth system is critized heavily the last year by Johan Cruyff because he is of the opinion that individual development is more important than the team for youth players and that we fail to produce attacking, technical players who have a top class level. I must admit I agree on the most parts of what he says. The last few years almost only defenders come through and the overall level is lower than has been. Luckily Cruyff gets a high function at Ajax in a few weeks and he will build up a Technical Group (with Bergkamp & Wim Jonk as leaders) who needs to lead our academy from now on.
Our headcoach Frank de Boer is very good though so that's a relief.
The main problem of our league (and other small leagues) is money. When we finally have class players, other clubs buy them out (in the last few years: Suarez, Vermaelen, Huntelaar, Heitinga, Sneijder and so on, and so on..)

[deejbah]

@Keizer7 well done Ajax!

[BlueCrew LA]

@Keizer7 well done Ajax!

This...

Great scenes.... I know Ajax are a big club in that league but they're quite likable.

[Keizer7]

@deejbah
@BlueCrew LA
Haha thanks guys! I was pretty drunk yesterday lol
Spurs won 0-2 @ anfield and we beat them 3-1 for the title!
Have a look at this link for the party after the game at 'Museumplein':
YouTube - AJAX KAMPIOEN 2011 - Deel 3 - Huldiging Museumplein
haha have a look at 10:38 for a funny part ^^