They wrote their very own fairy story final season. Got here from far, very far after some very troublesome years. They wished to compete once more, to be engaging. However the males of Amsterdam achieved far more. To the shock of buddy and foe alike, the outsider for the highest prize stood with the championship trophy of their fingers on the finish of Could. Saturday throughout the season opener in opposition to Hurley (5-1 win), that was a vivid reminiscence, which affords no assure for this season.
‘For everybody on our staff, it was the most effective days of their profession. One we’ll always remember. Not solely due to the end result. Additionally due to the ambiance. After I regarded again on the footage, it actually struck me. The blue part of Kampong, the crimson part of us. The fierceness of the supporters, who actually went wild. Actually unprecedented, for subject hockey. Perhaps not the whole lot that occurred was allowed, nevertheless it was actually distinctive.’ Laughing: ‘I used to be on trip in Zeeland proper after that. Was not capable of learn a e-book, as a result of I used to be nonetheless so busy with all of the impressions.’
After all, after the primary sport of this season, Amsterdam coach Rick Mathijssen has no drawback bickering again to that unforgettable Could 29 of this 12 months. The primary title in 13 years, after a shoot-out win in opposition to Kampong. And that after two seasons within the right-hand row. Stylish Amsterdam regained its grandeur. Like an attractive outdated home that squeaked and creaked, however was refurbished once more.
David Huussen after his superbly efficient solo with teammate Mustapha Cassiem. Picture: Bart Scheulderman
The empty Wagener and the blob of mayo
Whereas Mathijssen displays on that unforgettable spotlight, mini-hamburgers and beers are going round within the lounge of the Wagener Stadium. Fairly festive. We are able to’t say the identical for the legendary venue. Not often has a packed Wagener appeared so distant as Saturday. That was solely as a result of three of the 4 stands had been fenced off, because of an impending demolition. The group, thus seated solely in the primary stands, was not precisely spoiled earlier than halftime. That solely occurred within the second half, which began somewhat later as a result of – you don’t make it up – a child dropped a blob of mayonnaise on the sector at halftime.
Solely the sleeves on Amsterdam’s jerseys Saturday had been a tangible remnant of final season. They now bear the emblem of the Euro Hockey League, by which the staff is likely one of the prime three groups within the Netherlands. ‘It’s great what we’ve been by means of,’ Mathijssen stated. ‘We gained’t simply step over that. However we shouldn’t grasp in there too lengthy both. Then we gained’t make the playoffs. Regardless of how good, there’s a very thick line below final 12 months. I don’t even know the place the championship bowl is within the clubhouse.’
‘Nor do I feel we’re defending our title this 12 months. We’re attacking it once more, that’s how we wish to play subject hockey. That’s a unique mindset. As a result of we’ve nothing,’ it sounds emphatic. ‘There are simply seven candidates for the playoffs once more. We belong there, completely. However it’s not like we stand out due to final 12 months.’
The fashionable substitute striker Mirco Pruyser. Picture: Bart Scheulderman
À la Alcaraz
All of it occurred a lot sooner than Mathijssen anticipated. He began a 12 months in the past with the three-year mission to make Amsterdam engaging once more. To revive its luster, get again within the prime and compete for the title. In that order. In order that mission ended up in a strain cooker.
‘As soon as, we skipped years and achieved a aim. However after that, it’s not completed. Look, Carlos Alcaraz gained the US Open the opposite day. He didn’t prefer it after that both. He will probably be going for the Australian Open quickly. We too need extra and are competing in lots of areas this 12 months. Within the league, within the EHL, within the corridor and likewise there we play European.’ After all that final match just isn’t a primary occasion. ‘However a prize once more. And that’s very good after all of the years by which Amsterdam performed for nothing. That’s boring.’
Amsterdam can do this with a variety that has solely gotten stronger. All star gamers stayed on board and in aim got here the specified worldwide expertise. In consequence, Joren Romijn had to surrender his spot to English worldwide Ollie Payne. Piquant: Romijn instantly confronted his outdated membership throughout the season opener. Particularly within the first half he stored wonderful. ‘Joren additionally did a improbable job final season. Partly due to him we gained the ultimate. However for our protection it is rather good that Payne is there now, who has somewhat extra expertise with necessary moments in huge matches. We want that.
No Lucas Middendorp, however striker Pruyser does
Youth internationals Lucas Corstens (Schaerweijde) and Tjeerd Boermans (HDM) and homegrown Robin van Ede made their debuts for Amsterdam on Saturday. That was not but the case for Lucas Middendorp (Klein Zwitserland). The nephew of star participant Floris Middendorp remains to be recovering from a foot fracture. The identical goes for Lee Morton, the Scottish again. They are going to each be out for an additional 4 weeks or so. Striker Sam Steins Bisschop was additionally lacking Saturday, however is predicted again on Thursday – which is already the second spherical of play.
Due to the crammed sickbay, Amsterdam known as on former worldwide Mirco Pruyser on Saturday. He stop prime hockey two and a half years in the past. The 36-year-old striker scored a superb attribute aim (the 2-0): take it, ultra-short flip, rock onerous. ‘He’s our striker coach,’ Mathijssen says proudly. ‘He picks up that attacking half utterly. We decided on Thursday that he would take part. Isn’t it great that he nonetheless competes with the boys he trains himself? Isn’t that good for everybody?’
After that aim, Amsterdam ran out to 5-1. The primary tick could be made within the post-championship 12 months. ‘It was a should win this match. We did. Sunday we would be the solely ones sitting in entrance of TV with popcorn, with three factors in our pockets. Scrumptious.’
