“90 Minuten Lang”
Unadulterated passion for 90 minutes and beyond
Researching football ultras is something of interest for me and the pleasure of sharing my findings with the world on here is beyond what I could have ever imagined. So with that being said, after the highly controversial post on the Ultras Sur and their return to the Bernabeu, I thought I’d shed some light on a more respectable and unifying group of ultras, rather than giving any more light to the divisive and highly political nature of extremist ideological views held by the ultras of Real Madrid, so here goes:
In the capital of the Netherlands, there has been one club that has reigned supreme in recent times. One club who have won everything that there is to win. One club who are considered to be European football royalty. That club?
Ajax Amsterdam.
Forever synonymous with Johan Cruyff, the club’s philosophy from day one was clear. Play total football. Play football wherein it is one with art, with grace, with majesty and above all, intending to win. Another aspect of Ajax that is lauded by many is their trust in youth. You say Hale End, Carrington and Cobham — I say AFC Ajax. It is their investment in top of the line training and youth development. Regularly, the youngest average age on the pitch, the recent success of the 2018/19 Champions League Cinderella run is testament to this. By some miracle, a one in a thousand chance, Real Madrid and Juventus both crashed out at the hands of the mighty de Godenzonen and their unshakable fight. It was this unbreakable spirit and inherent belief that pushed them to the tip of the precipice. While the exploits of Matthias De Ligt, Frenkie De Jong and Hakim Ziyech, who secured moves to European giants after this season, were impressive, to say the least, the credit goes to the heart of all of the starting XI, the substitutes and reserves — and by extension whole club for that matter.
It is this spirit that is reflective of not only the club but the city as a whole. For what it’s worth, that squad is not merely just football players. They are warriors. Playing not only for a win, nor just the badge but for the pride of the city of Amsterdam. In time, reminiscence of the past can show us what we could not at the time. We could not see then, that run was the beginning of something new. A new era of Ajax, shaped not only by the beautiful football played with Erik Ten Haag at the helm but shaped by the Ajax character. It is this character that has swept the city, and with each European night, what we forgot seems to resurface, not to haunt us, but remind all of us of the beauty of football. By extension, therefore, it is customary to praise their ultras.
As it is more often than not, they are with their team through thick and thin, unlike the typical football fan. They will, without hesitation, give their life to the club. Certainly inspired by the players’ unwavering fight every time they exit the tunnel into the crowd of the Johan Cruyff Arena. Their support is out of this world. For 90 minutes, their voices flood the streets of Amsterdam, and for 90 minutes more, the home ground will echo the words:
90 minuten lang…
90 minutes long. Never once stopping, unfaltering in their unity. Enough to put the fear of God into the opposing sides, that stand filled with red flares and pyro understand their role. To send a message.
To tell the world that this is Ajax Amsterdam, and they will not give up.
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