The Feyenoord players gave their emotions free rein just after the lost final of the Conference League against AS Rome (1-0). But they were soon comforted by the accompanying fans, who expressed their appreciation for a series of nineteen exciting European duels with thunderous applause.
Feyenoord players and supporters have grown closer together, partly due to the matches in the Conference League. Of course the disappointment was great after the defeat against AS Roma. But when everyone is on vacation and is relaxing on the beach for a while, a sense of pride will probably prevail.
The Conference League has brought a lot to the team of trainer Arne Slot. Feyenoord performed better with a third place in the Eredivisie than in the previous football year under the departed coach Dick Advocaat. But after 34 competition matches, the gap with champion Ajax (12 points) and number 2 PSV (10 points) was again considerable.
Thousands of fans
Thanks to the Conference League, Feyenoord has been back in the spotlight in recent months as it was five years ago, when the club captured its fifteenth league title. Thousands of fans traveled to Tirana for the final, as they flocked to Marseille, Prague and Berlin earlier this season. De Kuip also filled up during the final battle, as did the Stadhuisplein and the pubs in Rotterdam and the surrounding area.
Feyenoord earned more than 13 million euros in premiums from UEFA this season. On top of that, there are also the receipts from eight home matches in a full Kuip. And European clubs now know who Cyriel Dessers, Luis Sinisterra, Tyrell Malacia, Justin Bijlow and Orkun Kökçü are. Feyenoord also took a lot of points for Dutch football. It won’t be long before the number 2 in the Eredivisie also qualifies for the Champions League.
Unforgettable trip
National coach Louis van Gaal once referred to the Conference League as the Jut and Jul League. Supporters from other clubs talked about the Confetti League. At Feyenoord last year, just before the first European game with the unknown FC Drita on July 22, they didn’t quite know what to think of the Conference League. But after adventures in Kosovo, Switzerland, Sweden, Israel, Czech Republic, Germany, Serbia, again Czech Republic, France and now Albania, they speak of an unforgettable journey.
Feyenoord is back on the European map and can try to realize all international ambitions next year in the more highly regarded Europa League. And if that doesn’t work, the Conference League can serve as a safety net. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing at all. The third UEFA competition has brought Feyenoord a lot of beautiful things this season.