Fiorentia v Ajax Here

Sorry for the crappy feed...its all I could find working.

Interesting video

Here's an up close view of the 'pitch invasion' of Ajax supporters during a recent training session. I can't make out much of what they are saying b/c my Dutch sucks, maybe someone else can? I give Marco credit for at least spending the time to talk to these guys, who do seem rather belligerent and drunk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEJnB3a6WlA&NR=1

Ajax relegated to Big Apple Youth Soccer League

A string of terrible results has forced Eredivise officials to relegate Ajax Amsterdam to one of the lower divisions of girls soccer in Burlington, Vermont. Ajax will play their first match on Sunday vs. current 3rd place side "Its a girl thang!". Said Marco van Basten, "The boys better come to play this weekend, they think they had a tough game in Arnhem...wait till they have to deal with those soccer mom supporters. I just hope we can match their intensity level".

In other news, Ryan Babel has officially been labeled the biggest disappointment in Liverpool history.

Van der Wiel gets Oranje call up

Gregory Van der Wiel has been called up to the Oranje squad that is set to face Tunisia in a friendly match this coming Wednesday. Its a well deserved recognition for crafty 21 year old defender. The only other Ajacied in Bert van Marwijk's squad is Steks in goal. The full line-up is below:

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord)

Defenders: John Heitinga (Atletico Madrid), Joris Mathijsen (SV Hamburg), Dirk Marcellis (PSV Eindhoven), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers), Edson Braafheid (Twente Enschede), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax Amsterdam)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar)

Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid)

>>Update: Did anyone see Ryan Babel miss the absolute sitter of sitters this weekend vs. Portsmouth? OH MY GOD RYAN!!!

New Ernst Bouwes column

For all you Ernst fans out there...here is his most recent Eredivisie article.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=615883&sec=europe&root=europe&cc=5901

Title hopes are toast

Wow, what the hell has happened to Ajax? The loss in Groningen was understandable. The loss at home to Heerenveen not so understandable. Dropping points at home to Heracles is unforgivable. Yesterday's 2-2 draw looks like it will the the final nail in the coffin for Ajax's Landskampioenen hopes. Just when we all thought things were coming together for the boys with 5 straight wins and 19 goals scored, things have completely gone to shit. Ajax has pretty much handed the title to AZ, and now they are in a dogfight just to hold on to the 2nd Champions League spot. Twente plays at home to NAC this weekend, and will be in 2nd place with a win.

I have no idea what to say at this point. They could build monuments to this team's inconsistency. Before the winter break Ajax was in top form...Cvitanich was looking like an UPGRADE from KJH rather than just a replacement, and the signing of Rob Wielaert surely made Ajax's defence nearly impenetrable. Now? Ajax has to come from behind at home to secure one point against perennial whipping boy Heracles. Van Basten has to be frustrated, he just can't seem to get any team to play well and stay focused for more than 3 or 4 games at a time (Euro '08 anyone?). Is this a coaches fault? Damn right it is. There's absolutely no way you can chalk this kind of performance up to a great coaching job on the Heracles sideline or a great performance by that crappy team. Ajax just blew it. And they are about to blow their chance at Champions League football next year. Oh, and Fiorentina is going to murder us.