Dutch Soccer League

[bandl]

Does anyone know anything, or even a little, about the Dutch Soccer League?? I'm heading over there in March and want to catch a few games. I know that AJAX is the big team over there....but that's about all I know. Big rivalries? Best stadiums? Can I smoke up at a game? :D

[LacesOut]

I'm German.

Does that help???

[bandl]

I'm German.

Does that help???

No, the world cup is the only soccer you watch!!!

[LacesOut]

Hey, I know a little about the English Premier League. Very little though.

[bandl]

Hey, I know a little about the English Premier League. Very little though.

There's a chance I'm flying to Britian, or somewhere else is Europe, for a few days. What are the good rivalries there?

Continental flights over there are ridiculously cheap on all their discount airlines. Ryanair flys from the 'Dam to Ireland for $10 each way (they do have dozens of gimics to get your money though). A flight to Croatia (Outside Mag rated their beaches as one of the 10 best in the world) for less than $50 round trip. Of course...I imagine those flights are full of chickens and goats and a wing is missing on the plane...

[LacesOut]

Ok I lied. I don't know anything!! You caught me!! Ha.

Are you sure you want to go to Europe??? Us Americans are hated everywhere. Pack some heat if you go.

[DinoDex200]

Does anyone know anything, or even a little, about the Dutch Soccer League?? I'm heading over there in March and want to catch a few games. I know that AJAX is the big team over there....but that's about all I know. Big rivalries? Best stadiums? Can I smoke up at a game? :D

Well...only because I love your avatar will I help you.

There are esentially 3 "big teams" in Holland. Ajax (Amsterdam), Feyenoord (Rotterdam) and PSV Eindhoven, which is owned, and backed heavily by Philips Electronics. As of late, PSV has been the better side...and feature American DaMarcus Beasley...who I am sure you've seen play for the US National Team. Feyenoord also has US Nat. Team defender Corey Gibbs, but he's been battling injuries as of late...same with AZ Alkmaar's John O'Brien, who scored the first goal of the US's upset of Portugal in the '02 WC.

Ajax appears to be on a bit of a downswing right now, relatively speaking, every 4-5 years they sell all of their best young players (who are developed in their legendary Academy) off to the bigger clubs in England, Italy, Germany, and Spain. They make a handsome fee for that, but it depletes their talent.

As for Rivalries...you pretty much have it right there...any 3 of those teams playing each other is huge! It's like Yankees-Red Sox, UNC-Duke or Mich-Ohio St. times 10. There are a few other teams fighting for the Big 3 for the Eredivisie (Honor Division) Title, but the fan support for those 3 dwarfs everyone elses...

I don't know much about the stadiums, I've actually never been, believe it or not, but Ajax Arena is a fairly new, retractable roof stadium, and I've heard Feyenoord's De Kuip is crazy...if you are looking for the old school, Hooligan-esque aspect...

Personally, if I were going over there, I would want to see PSV because of Beasley, and they are the best team currently...and they play attacking soccer, usually with 3 forwards...

Alright, shouldn't know this much about Dutch Football, but I do. So, there you go!! :D :D

Edit: Your question on English football...and Derby (dar-bee, they pronounce it) is huge...basically any cross-town, or intra-region match-up, will be intense. Tickets are very hard to come by, though, and the best teams charge as much as the NFL. If you are looking for the old school experience, try a lower division side. There's over a dozen pro teams in, and around, London. The best of which are Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, and West Ham United.

A good site to checkout ESPN's www.soccernet.com, pretty much any information on standings, current events, team location, etc.

[bandl]

Well...only because I love your avatar will I help you.

There are esentially 3 "big teams" in Holland. Ajax (Amsterdam), Feyenoord (Rotterdam) and PSV Eindhoven, which is owned, and backed heavily by Philips Electronics. As of late, PSV has been the better side...and feature American DaMarcus Beasley...who I am sure you've seen play for the US National Team. Feyenoord also has US Nat. Team defender Corey Gibbs, but he's been battling injuries as of late...same with AZ Alkmaar's John O'Brien, who scored the first goal of the US's upset of Portugal in the '02 WC.

Ajax appears to be on a bit of a downswing right now, relatively speaking, every 4-5 years they sell all of their best young players (who are developed in their legendary Academy) off to the bigger clubs in England, Italy, Germany, and Spain. They make a handsome fee for that, but it depletes their talent.

As for Rivalries...you pretty much have it right there...any 3 of those teams playing each other is huge! It's like Yankees-Red Sox, UNC-Duke or Mich-Ohio St. times 10. There are a few other teams fighting for the Big 3 for the Eredivisie (Honor Division) Title, but the fan support for those 3 dwarfs everyone elses...

I don't know much about the stadiums, I've actually never been, believe it or not, but Ajax Arena is a fairly new, retractable roof stadium, and I've heard Feyenoord's De Kuip is crazy...if you are looking for the old school, Hooligan-esque aspect...

Personally, if I were going over there, I would want to see PSV because of Beasley, and they are the best team currently...and they play attacking soccer, usually with 3 forwards...

Alright, shouldn't know this much about Dutch Football, but I do. So, there you go!! :D :D

Thanks Man...I already reserved (but don't pay for until I show up) PSV tix, as I saw they were near the top of the current standings...so I thought they had to be decent!! Hopefully I can check out the other teams. Thanks for the info again.

[DinoDex200]

Thanks Man...I already reserved (but don't pay for until I show up) PSV tix, as I saw they were near the top of the current standings...so I thought they had to be decent!! Hopefully I can check out the other teams. Thanks for the info again.


Good times! When are you going? Beasley is out for a few weeks right now, but should be back. I am sure you will have a blast...I am still hoping to make my first trip to Europe this summer...to Germany, of course!

Oh...and I edited my post to include some British info, if you wanna check it out.

[Blue Hen Nation]

Visit www.wsoccer.com and click on Netherlands for league info.

P.S. Good (Dutch) Soccer rap will get you laid! :)

[bandl]

Good times! When are you going? Beasley is out for a few weeks right now, but should be back. I am sure you will have a blast...I am still hoping to make my first trip to Europe this summer...to Germany, of course!

Oh...and I edited my post to include some British info, if you wanna check it out.

I'm heading over in March of '06 for 'Jam in the Dam', an american music fest. I want to say that the PSV game is on 3/22, but don't quote me on that. I've got lots of options to fly out of 'Dam to just about anywhere in Europe during my time over there. Soccer and anything outdoorsie is the main factor in that decision. Walking around vineyards getting f&cking smashed in western France is an outdoorsie thing to do, right???

[DinoDex200]

Visit www.wsoccer.com and click on Netherlands for league info.

P.S. Good (Dutch) Soccer rap will get you laid! :)

You mean, good Dutch Soccer rap in Holland? It's not like Dutch girls have many hang-ups anyway. I've even heard some of them are into :spank: and :deadhorse ... :p

[Blue Hen Nation]

[QUOTE=bandl]There's a chance I'm flying to Britian, or somewhere else is Europe, for a few days. What are the good rivalries there?

If in London, you'll definitely want to catch an Arsenal or Chelsea game. If I had to choose, I'd go with the Premier League champs Chelsea. They are hands down one of the best teams in the world.

In traveling north, an experience you'll never forget will be a Man U game. Old Trafford (stadium) is first class and the crowd is vibrant. The "Red Devils" never disappoint!

Other teams of interest are Newcastle and Liverpool. Both have strong traditions and their brand of soccer is entertaining.

As for rivalries, pick any of the aforementioned teams and you're in for a good time. Cheers!

[Tribefan]

Dutch soccer is pretty good. If you love the game, then you will enjoy seeing it played in a soccer specific stadium. Soccer is like baseball in that the game is much more enjoyable to watch when you are closer to the action.

[Pard4Life]

[QUOTE=bandl]There's a chance I'm flying to Britian, or somewhere else is Europe, for a few days. What are the good rivalries there?

If in London, you'll definitely want to catch an Arsenal or Chelsea game. If I had to choose, I'd go with the Premier League champs Chelsea. They are hands down one of the best teams in the world.

In traveling north, an experience you'll never forget will be a Man U game. Old Trafford (stadium) is first class and the crowd is vibrant. The "Red Devils" never disappoint!

Other teams of interest are Newcastle and Liverpool. Both have strong traditions and their brand of soccer is entertaining.

As for rivalries, pick any of the aforementioned teams and you're in for a good time. Cheers!

Bayern Munich - Hamburg, top two teams right now in the Bundesliga. Check out Herta Berlin in Olympic Stadium, top quarter team right now and awesome stadium.. mostly marble. It's where Jesse Owens ran in '36.