My Experience with Football Hooligans

Rating: 8/10 (13 May 2009)

I was in Amsterdam a few months ago. I was walking the streets and noticed the police searching young men as they entered a particular street. I asked a cop what was going on. He told me that it was football night. Excited, I continued down the street onto Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Plaza) and found myself in the middle of about 150 enthusiastic football supporters. They were chanting, drinking lots of beer and having a great time, just like in the movie. I asked one guy what team I should be supporting so I won't get my ass kicked. He got in my face and yelled "Ajax" (which he pronounced "Iyax" due to his thick Dutch accent)! They were all jumping up and down and giving me the finger as I snapped pictures of the wild mob.
A couple of supporters approached me and asked, "where are you from?" (with a very think Dutch accent). I told them that I was from Texas.
"Texas - f*cking Texas?" he replied, "f*cking excellent! Later, I was told by a few guys to "shoot at your own risk." I told him that I was returning to my room to put my camera up. He then added, "come back." I had a few beers with the crowd and had one hell of a time. I don't know if these guys beat the hell out of opposing supporters like the British football supporters do or like the GSE in the movie, but all the pubs in Amsterdam Centrum closed early that night out of fear of a riot.
All in all, I really liked these guys because as I told the supporters that I met, "you guys seem like the only real men who will fight if your backs were against the wall. I admire that." AJAX - FOREVER!!!