Former international Frank Rijkaard (62) is relaxing between the fields on Dam Square while children play street football finals. “They played on all those little fields through the city. And now they can call themselves here, on Dam Square, all champion of Amsterdam. This is so important!”
32 football teams compete in the final on Dam Square
No fewer than 32 teams, selected through preliminary rounds in all districts and Weesp, competed under the watchful eye of parents, volunteers, Dutch celebrities and tourists in the finals after a months -long battle: Neighborhood against Neighborhood – Noord against West, Weesp against Center.
“I was a street footballer myself, absolutely,” says Frank Rijkaard, surrounded by fans who want to be photographed with him. “In the Kinkerbuurt, I played, then hardly any cars, so we just played football on the street. That was our education. There you laid the foundation.”
At the prize -giving ceremony on Dam Square, a large banner stated that says: “Nouri we think of you!” © Richard Mouw
The spirit of Appie Nouri now hangs on the large square. During the award ceremony, some finalists keep up a large banner. In thick letters it says: “Nouri, we think of you. A lot of strength.”
Tragic Lot Noura made a deep impression on the youth
Nouri – once a promising player of Ajax – was badly damaged in his brain in 2017 during a friendly match in Austria after a cardiac arrest. Since then he has been living in a state of minimal consciousness. His tragic fate made a deep impression on the whole of the Netherlands, and especially on the youth.
His brother, Abderrahim Nouri, is present on Dam Square. Earlier in the day he showed that he can conjure up with a ball: with graceful movements he plays a young player through his legs and keeps balls high. Children push around him for a selfie. Nouri’s brother is recognized faster by many young people than Frank Rijkaard.
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“Appie was super popular, and still,” says Rijkaard a little later. “He too is a street footballer, pur sang. What happened to him is terrible. But I understand that he is still alive here. He connects. Again again.”
Disappointment football team South-East Groot
The sporting tension can now be felt on all fields. Each team plays five games – even if they don’t win. But for some teams it’s all about more than participating. The disappointment was especially for South-East. The boys and the girls made it to the final, but both grabbed the main prize.
“They deserved to win,” says mother Daniëlle, who came to encourage her son. He previously played for 2.5 years in the youth academy of PSV. “But that stopped – traveling too far, too much pressure. He is now playing football at AFC, close to school. If he is really good, Ajax will come to get him later.”
The Dam had just become a large football field, where no fewer than 32 teams from different neighborhoods of Amsterdam competed against each other. © Richard Mouw
About the tournament: “This is so important for children from South-East. It is free, it is on the street, it is theirs. They were blood fanatic. The best, really. But yes … the ball is round. The disappointment that they just didn’t make it is very big.”
In the Girls 10-12 years the title went to Weesp, until recently an independent village just outside Amsterdam. Now, as a new city area, it is proud of the highest stage. The girls receive the cup under loud cheers. “Let us hear for Weesp!” It sounds. The atmosphere is exuberant. “Amazing!” Calls an American tourist, focusing his camera on the scene.
The football girls from Weesp were crazy with their prize. © Richard Mouw
Between the matches there is music, dance, a boxing clinic, make -up and a football clinic from Samir Skills. “Street football connects the youth from the better and poorer neighborhoods,” says one of the big sponsors who does not want his name in the newspaper.
‘Johan Cruijff had this in mind’
“This is what Johan Cruijff had in mind,” says Rijkaard. “And you see that. Throughout Amsterdam lies those fields. In fact, throughout Europe, the world even. It gives children room. To play, to meet, to be a normal child. And perhaps to make dreams come true.”