They wrote their own fairy tale last season. Came from far, very far after some very difficult years. They wanted to compete again, to be attractive. But the men of Amsterdam achieved much more. To the surprise of friend and foe alike, the outsider for the top prize stood with the championship trophy in their hands at the end of May. Saturday during the season opener against Hurley (5-1 win), that was a vivid memory, which offers no guarantee for this season.
‘For everyone on our team, it was one of the best days of their career. One we will never forget. Not only because of the result. Also because of the atmosphere. When I looked back at the footage, it really struck me. The blue section of Kampong, the red section of us. The fierceness of the supporters, who really went wild. Really unprecedented, for field hockey. Maybe not everything that happened was allowed, but it was really unique.’ Laughing: ‘I was on vacation in Zeeland right after that. Was not able to read a book, because I was still so busy with all the impressions.’
Of course, after the first game of this season, Amsterdam coach Rick Mathijssen has no problem bickering back to that unforgettable May 29 of this year. The first title in thirteen years, after a shoot-out win against Kampong. And that after two seasons in the right-hand row. Chic Amsterdam regained its grandeur. Like a beautiful old house that squeaked and creaked, but was refurbished again.
David Huussen after his beautifully effective solo with teammate Mustapha Cassiem. Photo: Bart Scheulderman
The empty Wagener and the blob of mayo
While Mathijssen reflects on that unforgettable highlight, mini-hamburgers and beers are going around in the lounge of the Wagener Stadium. Pretty festive. We can’t say the same for the legendary venue. Rarely has a packed Wagener seemed so far away as Saturday. That was only because three of the four stands were fenced off, due to an impending demolition. The crowd, thus seated only in the main stands, was not exactly spoiled before halftime. That only happened in the second half, which started a little later because – you don’t make it up – a kid dropped a blob of mayonnaise on the field at halftime.
Only the sleeves on Amsterdam’s jerseys Saturday were a tangible remnant of last season. They now bear the logo of the Euro Hockey League, in which the team is one of the top three teams in the Netherlands. ‘It’s wonderful what we’ve been through,’ Mathijssen said. ‘We won’t just step over that. But we shouldn’t hang in there too long either. Then we won’t make the playoffs. No matter how nice, there is a very thick line under last year. I don’t even know where the championship bowl is in the clubhouse.’
‘Nor do I think we are defending our title this year. We are attacking it again, that’s how we want to play field hockey. That’s a different mindset. Because we have nothing,’ it sounds emphatic. ‘There are just seven candidates for the playoffs again. We belong there, absolutely. But it’s not like we stand out because of last year.’
The classy substitute striker Mirco Pruyser. Photo: Bart Scheulderman
À la Alcaraz
It all happened much faster than Mathijssen expected. He started a year ago with the three-year mission to make Amsterdam attractive again. To restore its luster, get back in the top and compete for the title. In that order. So that project ended up in a pressure cooker.
‘Once, we skipped years and achieved a goal. But after that, it’s not finished. Look, Carlos Alcaraz won the US Open the other day. He didn’t like it after that either. He will be going for the Australian Open soon. We too want more and are competing in many areas this year. In the league, in the EHL, in the hall and also there we play European.’ Of course that last tournament is not a main event. ‘But a prize again. And that is very nice after all the years in which Amsterdam played for nothing. That’s boring.’
Amsterdam can do that with a selection that has only gotten stronger. All star players stayed on board and in goal came the desired international experience. As a result, Joren Romijn had to give up his spot to English international Ollie Payne. Piquant: Romijn immediately faced his old club during the season opener. Especially in the first half he kept excellent. ‘Joren also did a fantastic job last season. Partly because of him we won the final. But for our defense it is very good that Payne is there now, who has a little more experience with important moments in big matches. We need that.
No Lucas Middendorp, but 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 yet the case for Lucas Middendorp (Klein Zwitserland). The nephew of star player Floris Middendorp is still recovering from a foot fracture. The same goes for Lee Morton, the Scottish back. They will both be out for another four weeks or so. Striker Sam Steins Bisschop was also missing Saturday, but is expected back on Thursday – which is already the second round of play.
Because of the filled sickbay, Amsterdam called on former international Mirco Pruyser on Saturday. He quit top hockey two and a half years ago. The 36-year-old striker scored a brilliant characteristic goal (the 2-0): take it, ultra-short turn, rock hard. ‘He is our striker coach,’ Mathijssen says proudly. ‘He picks up that attacking part completely. We determined on Thursday that he would participate. Isn’t it wonderful that he still competes with the boys he trains himself? Isn’t that nice for everyone?’
After that goal, Amsterdam ran out to 5-1. The first tick can be made in the post-championship year. ‘It was a must win this match. We did. Sunday we will be the only ones sitting in front of TV with popcorn, with three points in our pockets. Delicious.’
