NL vs. COL

I am not one to frequently resort to clichés when describing countries and their population. However there is one particular cliché associated with brazilians that fit me like a glove…”Brazilians love football”. The reality is that not everybody loves it, but I certainly do so I could not miss the opportunity to go watch the friendly match between the Netherlands and Colombia this week.

We got our tickets in advance and met fellow ISNers at Leiden Central Station and got the train to the Bijlmer Arena- aka Ajax house- (an under than 10 euros and 40 minutes ride away from Leiden). By the way, how cool it is to just jump on a train and comfortably reach the stadium? Please Brazil, take some notes hahaha.

On the train you could already feel the great energy that revolves sport events…and my excitement was only getting bigger and bigger…Right in front of the station you could see the stadium and getting in was super easy and calm.

A piece of the Bijlmer Arena, just coming out of the Station

The stadium is very well kept and we found our seats without trouble. The prices are a bit too expensive (but I guess that is sort of the same in every stadiums)..The atmosphere was great and there was a lot of dutch music going on…Just like a big celebration =)

oranje, oranje everywhere in this football party

Enjoying some Dutch music before the match

Although Netherlands vs. Colombia does not really screams ‘international football classic match’ I was really excited to experience it, especially because three of my Dutch friends were coming with me. =)

I couldn´t resist =)

The game itself wasn´t a football masterpiece- it ended in 0 X 0-, but the whole atmosphere was just beyond my expectations…Dutch people are also passionate about football and I can´t wait for the World Cup 2014 to start so I can watch some unfriendly games (this time on TV) with my international friends here in Leiden!!!

my Dutchies

PS: If you are also a football fan you will not want to miss the European classic Ajax vs. Barcelona next Tuesday (26/11). Tickets for the Bijlmer Arena are sold out, but Leiden has a handful of cool pubs that will most likely air them =)

X,

Bia