Well, Ajax survived their financially challenged season, and more than that, they walked away with two cups, the KNWB cup and the CL cup. Although I was almost sure I had ruined my season by spending too much money the summer before, only one big injury came into play and the gap left in the forward line was well covered by Gutierrez and Hamsun. The latter really surprised me, with a ranking of 59 he probably wouldn't even have had a chance if he hadn't netted a hat-trick in a cup game. PSV took the league with a healthy 10 point lead, and Ajax came next, again 10 points ahead of third place. But near the end all the focus was on the CL, and to a lesser extent the KNWB cup, which was won 1-0.
Next up was the final in Europes biggest competition, I had glimpsed a chance of meeting Liverpool in the final in the quarter finals, about the same time as when I edged out Barcelona on an away goal (0-0 at home, the away game was a frantic affair, with 1-1 being the final result. a split second before the final whistle Villa hit a 40 yarder into my crossbar... a heartstopping moment for sure). Semi finals were less of a hassle against Marseille, even with another 0-0 home draw Ajax strolled the away game 3-0. Liverpool took care of Real Madrid and then there was the final.
Luis Garcia netted around 20 minutes after a fumbled clearance from Agger that fell before Garcias legs. Buffon, now in the Liverpool goal, had no chance against a cool finish. But the bliss was short lived, Jovanovich had equalized mere moments later, after a cross into the box, where he was unmarked and had no trouble finishing. After that the game was deadlocked, few chances but tension always high. Into overtime, it was 112 minutes untill the whole thing opened up again. Ajax weren't excactly pressing, but at one point Lavezzi got the ball up the wing and managed to get up to the endline. Gudjohnsen was heading into the box, and lavezzi sent a low cross, hoping for a miracle. Gudjohnsen hit the ball with his left foot, a weak effort, sure to roll quietly past the right post. but then something special happened, the "weak" shot had a wicked curl, turning inside at the last moment, and Buffon beaten. With little time to go, Ajax managed to keep the ball for the most part untill the final whistle.
In the next summer there have been many changes, with key players leaving but others coming in to take their place. The funny thing is, the accidental money gamble the summer before paid off, with the cups in the house and big players sold, even with some large names secured (Pirlo, Van der Vaart to name some) the bank is full of money. Good times.
Next up was the final in Europes biggest competition, I had glimpsed a chance of meeting Liverpool in the final in the quarter finals, about the same time as when I edged out Barcelona on an away goal (0-0 at home, the away game was a frantic affair, with 1-1 being the final result. a split second before the final whistle Villa hit a 40 yarder into my crossbar... a heartstopping moment for sure). Semi finals were less of a hassle against Marseille, even with another 0-0 home draw Ajax strolled the away game 3-0. Liverpool took care of Real Madrid and then there was the final.
Luis Garcia netted around 20 minutes after a fumbled clearance from Agger that fell before Garcias legs. Buffon, now in the Liverpool goal, had no chance against a cool finish. But the bliss was short lived, Jovanovich had equalized mere moments later, after a cross into the box, where he was unmarked and had no trouble finishing. After that the game was deadlocked, few chances but tension always high. Into overtime, it was 112 minutes untill the whole thing opened up again. Ajax weren't excactly pressing, but at one point Lavezzi got the ball up the wing and managed to get up to the endline. Gudjohnsen was heading into the box, and lavezzi sent a low cross, hoping for a miracle. Gudjohnsen hit the ball with his left foot, a weak effort, sure to roll quietly past the right post. but then something special happened, the "weak" shot had a wicked curl, turning inside at the last moment, and Buffon beaten. With little time to go, Ajax managed to keep the ball for the most part untill the final whistle.
In the next summer there have been many changes, with key players leaving but others coming in to take their place. The funny thing is, the accidental money gamble the summer before paid off, with the cups in the house and big players sold, even with some large names secured (Pirlo, Van der Vaart to name some) the bank is full of money. Good times.
)