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 enticing. However the males of Amsterdam achieved way more. To the shock of pal and foe alike, the outsider for the highest prize stood with the championship trophy of their fingers on the finish of Could. Saturday through the season opener towards Hurley (5-1 win), that was a vivid reminiscence, which provides no assure for this season.
‘For everybody on our workforce, it was the most effective days of their profession. One we’ll always remember. Not solely due to the outcome. Additionally due to the environment. 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 discipline hockey. Possibly not the whole lot that occurred was allowed, however it was actually distinctive.’ Laughing: ‘I used to be on trip in Zeeland proper after that. Was not in a position to learn a e book, as a result of I used to be nonetheless so busy with all of the impressions.’
In fact, 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 towards Kampong. And that after two seasons within the right-hand row. Stylish Amsterdam regained its grandeur. Like a phenomenal previous 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, on account of an impending demolition. The gang, thus seated solely in the principle stands, was not precisely spoiled earlier than halftime. That solely occurred within the second half, which began a bit later as a result of – you don’t make it up – a child dropped a blob of mayonnaise on the sphere at halftime.
Solely the sleeves on Amsterdam’s jerseys Saturday had been a tangible remnant of final season. They now bear the brand of the Euro Hockey League, wherein the workforce is likely one of the prime three groups within the Netherlands. ‘It’s fantastic what we’ve been by,’ Mathijssen mentioned. ‘We gained’t simply step over that. However we shouldn’t hold in there too lengthy both. Then we gained’t make the playoffs. Regardless of how good, there’s a very thick line beneath 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 need to play discipline hockey. That’s a distinct 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. But it surely’s not like we stand out due to final 12 months.’
The Stylish Substitt Striker MiCo Pruyer. Picture: Bart Scheduleman
On the 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 enticing 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 stress cooker.
‘As soon as, we skipped years and achieved a objective. 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 can 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.’ In fact that final match isn’t a essential occasion. ‘However a prize once more. And that’s very good after all of the years wherein 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 objective got here the specified worldwide expertise. Because of this, Joren Romijn had to surrender his spot to English worldwide Ollie Payne. Piquant: Romijn instantly confronted his previous membership through the season opener. Particularly within the first half he saved glorious. ‘Joren additionally did a incredible job final season. Partly due to him we gained the ultimate. However for our protection it is vitally good that Payne is there now, who has a bit extra expertise with necessary moments in large matches. We’d like 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 continues to be recovering from a foot fracture. The identical goes for Lee Morton, the Scottish again. They’ll each be out for one more 4 weeks or so. Striker Sam Steins Bisschop was additionally lacking Saturday, however is anticipated again on Thursday – which is already the second spherical of play.
Due to the crammed sickbay, Amsterdam referred to as on former worldwide Mirco Pruyser on Saturday. He give up prime hockey two and a half years in the past. The 36-year-old striker scored a superb attribute objective (the 2-0): take it, ultra-short flip, rock laborious. ‘He’s our striker coach,’ Mathijssen says proudly. ‘He picks up that attacking half fully. We decided on Thursday that he would take part. Isn’t it fantastic that he nonetheless competes with the boys he trains himself? Isn’t that good for everybody?’
After that objective, Amsterdam ran out to 5-1. The primary tick will 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.’
