Ajax fans celebrate Eredivisie title with flares and flags

By Janene Pieters on May 16, 2019 - 07:59
Ajax
Ajax. (Photo: vverve/DepositPhotos)

Ajax took its 34th Eredivisie title with a 4-1 victory over De Graafschap on Wednesday. This is the first time in five years that the Amsterdam team wins the national championship. Hundreds of enthusiastic fans took to the streets to celebrate with flags and flares, NOS reports.

Leidseplein, where Ajax's successes are traditionally celebrated, was crowded from early in the evening. Hundreds of supporters watched the championship match in bars on and around the square. The celebration started immediately after the final whistle. The atmosphere in the city was pleasant, according to the broadcaster.

The Ajax players arrived at the Johan Cruijff Arena by bus just after 1:00 a.m., and were greeted by a very enthusiastic crowd.

The team will be officially honored on Museumplein at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. This is the first time that an Ajax celebration takes place on the square since 2011. In that year the party turned into riots. Since then, all Ajax ceremonies were moved to a site near the Johan Cruijff Arena.

According to Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema, the city learned lessons from 2011 and she believes that today's ceremony will go well. The large museums around the Museumplein expect the same, according to NOS. "Since then, the municipality has taken all kinds of measures to ensure that the event runs smoothly. Everyone assumes that this will be a great party", a spokesperson for the Van Gogh Museum said to the broadcaster. 

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