Talampaya 2006

It's coming this weekend: Talampaya 2006!

With DJ evilboy doing the party on Saturday night at the field.

Feel free to come.

2006 UEFA Champions League Final

Yesterday was the match that I was waiting for a while. Barcelona vs Arsenal in Paris, battling for the UEFA Champions League. It was sort of a dream final, with Ronaldinho pitted against Thierry Henry, two of the best footballers in the world.

The pub was full, jam packed. I ordered a burger and it took an hour for it to be ready. Luckily a friend was sitting up front so I got good position to see the game.

The game was eventful. In the early minutes Henry had a great chance but Valdes saved his shot. Then Lehman stopped Eto'o just outside the box. The ball rolled on and Giuly scored a goal but the ref stopped play. Which means that Lehmann was getting a red card and Barca gets a free kick. That is correct according to the rulebook but I guess the most of the world would have been happier if he allowed the goal and gave Lehmann a yellow card.

A ten-man Arsenal then fought strongly and Eboue eventually fell down after bumping into thin air. The resulting free kick, taken by Henry, was headed in by Sol Campbell. Arsenal 1, Barca 0 when in fact it should have been the other way around.

In the second half Rijkaard put in Iniesta and took out Edmilson. Barca began attacking Arsenal. After a while Henke Larsson - playing his final game for Barca - went on and he pretty much decided the game. Not Ronaldinho, not Henry, not Eto'o or Fabregas, but 34-year old Larsson. His two assists gave Barca the lead, which they held until the end. 2-1 Barcelona.

Since Barca is the Spanish Ajax, I am happy.

Bristol & Sainsbury's

Last weekend me and my girlfriend went to Bristol in the south-west of England. It's the town where she went to university and we also visited a friend who just had a cute little baby girl.

Bristol is a very nice town. Lots of things to see and do and it's very green. It definitely has that "student" air to it. On Saturday we stayed in a beautiful hotel in the countryside, about 20 minutes drive from Bristol (after we have visited the local mall of course).

But what amazed me most was Sainsbury's. We went to it just before going to the airport to pick up some stuff. First of all, I'm amazed we can go there on Sunday whereas here it's impossible to do so. Second, it's just full of good stuff and you can get anything you ever wanted. I move to England just to be near a Sainsbury.

And Alka-Seltzer is a miracle drug...

Oranje to Germany

Last Sunday, Marco van Basten announced the 23 players he wants to take to Germany to win the 2006 World Cup.

Here's the complete list:

Goal: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (AZ)

Defense: Khalid Boulahrouz (Hamburger SV), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ), John Heitinga (Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool), Joris Mathijsen (AZ), André Ooijer (PSV)

Midfield: Mark van Bommel (Barcelona), Phillip Cocu (PSV), Denny Landzaat (AZ), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV).

Attack: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV)

The most suprising name missing is Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The topscorer from Ajax has been left at home because van Basten only wants to bring 3 central strikers with him. Van Nistelrooy and Kuijt are already guaranteed a place, so that leaves Huntelaar to fight it out with Vennegoor of Hesselink. In the end VoH won the battle. Even Ryan Babel's comment shows how much everyone is suprised by the ommission of Huntelaar. Babel: "I don't understand how he isn't in the squad while I am."

Edgar Davids is missing as well, but he was a bit out of form playing for Spurs. For the rest I think this is the best Dutch squad available.

Hup Holland Hup!

Ajax wins 2006 Dutch Cup

Ajax has won the Dutch Cup after beating PSV 2-1!!

After finishing 4th in the Dutch league, this prize is definitely one to cherish. And of course winning the play-offs which makes Ajax eligible for the Champions League next year.

Thanks to a young man called Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (holding the cup below).

The Da Vinci Code Quest

Have you read the book?
Are you waiting for the movie to come out?

Do you have time to spare?
Like a challenge?

Then try the Da Vinci Code quest by Google.

Try it!

It's addictive...