Feyenoord, true european voetbal (soccer)

Last night I had the opportunity to finally see my first european headclass soccer game. It was amazing. A lot less crowded than I had imagined it may be, but none the less it was quite an experience.

I would say there were about 15,000 people in a stadium that could easily house 2 times as many people. Meaning, it wasn't nearly as loud and shaky as some playoff game would have been. Either way Roo (check previous post) and I enjoyed it. It was supposed to be a dominating game for the home club Feyenoord over some smaller team called TOP Oss, it wasn't, they went into extra time 0-0. Then Feyenoord exploded for 3 goals in the next 30 mins to win 3-0, in overtime.



Not sure if many people know, but I have roots with the Feyenoord soccer club through my mother's background. An article featured me in a 2 page spread in the pitch (field) of Feyenoord. It was published in one of the main dutch newpapers last year because of my unique story playing for Netherlands, and having my grandfather and great-grandfather who they are in the Feyenoord family. Leen Vanzandvliet, my great grandfather, was the originator of the architechture of the Kuip (The Cup (stadium)), he took the idea for Yankee stadium and innovated it into a soccer stadium. Leo Vanzandvliet, my mother's father, was the president of the club for during 2 long terms, making all the big decisions, and finally retired around 1983. They both have statues in the stadium, and even the main road leading into the stadium is called Vanzandvliet straat (street) after my family.

There's your history lesson for the day. Now some pics...