Nederland Voetbal Eredivisie

Special thanks to my friend Mark.

This league, "Eredivisie" started 1956. In the past, Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard, van Basten, Ronald & Erwin Koeman and so on played in Eredivisie.

1st division of Netherland is called "Eredivisie", and 2nd is "Eerste Divisie". 18 teams belong to Eredivisie.
Every year, worst 1 is relegated to 2nd division automatically, and 16th and 17th position have to match with the 2nd division's team that won the right to fight.
After all, from 1 to 3 team promote to the Eredivisie.

In Netherlands, almost all year 3 big team (Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord) was champion. Recently, the level of other teams rose and close to theirs, but Christian Chivu (ex Ajax captain) said in Japanese magazine's interview like this: "Except the matchs against PSV and Feyenoord, Eredivisie's game is just like picnic." haha!!

And, Ajax and Feyenoord's match is called "de klassieker". It means "the classic match" in Dutch. My Dutch friend told me that Ajax and PSV's, Feyenoord and PSV's match are also called so, but for Dutch football fans, "de klassieker" is Ajax - Feyenoord match.

Nederlands' stadiums always have roof on the stands. I guess, the reason of this is from climate.

	Eredivisie's play is so hard, and fans are also exciting. left picture: Shinji Ono, Japanese star player. He can speak English well, and also can speak a little Dutch. the picture below: Young-Pyo Lee, Korean player of PSV. PSV's coach is Guus Hiddink, who is ex Korean national team's coach. Ji-Sung Park also play in PSV. Like these, some Asian and Northern European people play in Eredivisie.

teams in Eredivise

Amsterdam Football Club Ajax established: 1900 Ajax is prestige club in Nederlands. In the past, I confused Ajax and Yonex. haha!! Ajax's youth training system is marvelous. For example, Van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder growed with that system. They also have this system in Capetown, South Africa. I don't sure but it was maybe abolished because of financial difficulty. But anyway, Steven Pienaar growed in the system of Capetown. Their home stadium is "Amsterdam Arena". I think This is marvelous stadium, but this stadium is also used for American Football, concert and so on, so the condition of the grass is not so good. In addition, this because of the shape (dome), whatever they keep the grass condition good, they have to change the grass 4 times a year.

Feyenoord Rotterdam established: 1908 One of the big 3. Shinji Ono belongs to this club. Home stadium is "De Kuip".

Philips Sport Vereniging Eindhoven established: 1913 Their sponsor is Philips. PSV Eindhoven is One of the big 3. Chelsea's player Arijen Robben and Mateja Kezman were here. "PSV" is pronounced like "pe-es-fe" maybe. Home stadium is "Philips Stadion".

Roda Juliana Combinatie established: 1962 Geographically, many young Belgian player is in. Home stadium is "Parkstad Limburg Stadion"

Rooms Katholieke Combinatie Waalwijk established: 1940 "RKC" is pronounced like "ere-ka-se". Home stadium is "Mandemakers Stadion". In right picture, RKC's match is written "GASTEN". "Gasten" means guest in English.

Football Club Utrecht established: 1970 3 local clubs consolidated and Utrecht was established. Last year, Toshiya Fujita (Japanese midfielder) was there. I heard that This club is not good friend with Ajax... Home stadium is "Nieuw Galgenwaard Stadion".

Nijmegen Eendracht Combinatie established: 1900 Started as "S.C.NEC" and changed their name to "NEC" "NEC" is pronounced like "n-ei-se". Home stadium is "De Goffert Stadion".

Noad Advendo Combinatie Breda established: 1912 "NAC" is pronounced like "n-ah-se". I guess "NAC" is also said "nack". Home stadium is "MyCom Stadion". photos of right side are My friend Mark's. Thanks Mark!!

AZ Alkmaar established: 1967 2 clubs consolidated and "AZ67" was established. And later, changed their name to "AZ". This season (04-05), AZ is surprising of all. Home stadium is "Alkmaarderhout Stadion" "AZ" is pronounced like "ah-zet". Somehow, my friend who's parents are living in Netherlands has this clubs warm-up suit. He is Japanese, and he's not a fun of AZ.

Willem II Tilburg established: 1896 This name is came from the king of Netherlands in 19 century. Home stadium is "Willem II Stadion".

Sport Club Heerenveen established: 1920 They promoted to the Eredivisie in 1990, and it was the first promotion. And I like this team. Home stadium is "Abe Lenstra Stadion".

Football Club Twente Enschede established: 1965 2 clubs consolidated and "F.C.Twente" was established. Home stadium is "Arke Stadion".

Roosendaalse Boys Combinatie Roosendaal established: 1912 "RBC" is pronounced like "ere-bee-se". Home stadium is "Vast & Goed Stadion".

Football Club Groningen established: 1926 The Only Professional club in Groningen, located in Northern Nederlands. A part of the fun is too frenzy. Home stadium is "Oosterpark Stadion".

Vitesse Arnhem established: 1892 Home stadium is "Gelredome". I heard that to build this stadium, they have financial difficulty. This dome's roof can open like below picture. My Dutch friend said this stadium is very beautiful. And 3 pictures in right side is Mark's. Thanks Mark!!

Football Club Zwolle established: 1910 Zwolle, Eastern Nederland is their home town. Home stadium is "Oostrenk Stadion".

S.B.V.Excelsior established: 1902 This team is Feyenoord's satellite team. Home stadium is "Stad Rotterdam Verzerkeringen Stadion". I don't know "S.B.V." stands for what. Tell me somebody!!

De Graafschap Doetinchem established: 1954 "graafschap" means "earldom". I think this club's funs are so nice. Home stadium is "De Vijverberg Stadion"

ADO Den Haag established: 1905 "ADO" is pronounced like "ah-de-oh". I heard Den Haag is large city, and this club's funs are famous as violent. Especially, they are heated in big 3 and Utrecht's matches. Home stadium is "Zuiderpark Stadion".

FC Volendam established: 1977 My friend said he'd been this town, he also said this town is small. And he really wanted this team's jersey. Home stadium is "Veronica Stadium".

FC Den Bosch established: 1964 This club is located in Southern Netherlands. In 1964, "BVV" and "Milhelmina" consolidated and "FC Den Bosch" was established. This is the club that Ruud van Nistelrooy debut. Home stadium is "Den Bosch Stadion".