Amsterdam will not host the Eurovision Song Competition. The Ziggo Dome, the intended location, is not available when the Song Competition is set to be held. " This in connection with bookings and reservations that on closer inspection can not be rebooked", Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema wrote in a letter.
The city tried to find another location, but it was to no avail. The RAI and Johan Cruijff Arena are also unavailable. And AFAS Live is too small.
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.
The semi-final match between Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur in the Johan Cruijff Arena, and Ajax's last-second elimination from the Champions League, led to unrest in various places in Amsterdam on Wednesday night. The Amsterdam police arrested a total of around 30 people during the evening, NU.nl reports.
The Ajax players are extremely disappointed by their last-second elimination from the Champions League in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, but they are also proud of how far they've come and the impressive season they've had in the league.
What looked like a certain victory for Amsterdam's football club Ajax turned into heartbreak as the team was eliminated from the Champions League competition by Tottenham Hotspur in the last minutes of a spectacular match on Wednesday night in Amsterdam. Ajax fans were left in tears as the final whistle blew and their team lost the match 2-3, despite racking up a 2-0 lead in the first half of the semi-final match, even having entered the second leg carrying a 1-0 lead.
Excitement is mounting in Amsterdam as the Champions League semi-final match between Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur approaches. Ajax fans are planning the "biggest entrada ever" at the Johan Cruijff stadium before the match. Statistically, Ajax has a very good chance to make it through to the finals or the first time since 1996, NU.nl reports.
The Amsterdam triangle of municipality, police and Public Prosecutor call on Ajax supporters to not light fireworks or torches before, during and after the Champions League semi-final match against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. The city will allow a so-called entrada, but only on Arenapark next to the stadium and only if no fireworks are lit.
The Amsterdam police carried out charges before the Champions League quarter final match between Ajax and Juventus at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Wednesday evening. Over 30 football supporters were arrested. Earlier in the day the police arrested over a hundred armed Italian supporters. The total number of arrests came to more than 140, NU.nl reports.
Despite the Netherlands suffering a 2-3 defeat against Germany in the European Championship qualifier on Sunday, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman is still very proud of his team. After ending the first half 0-2 behind the German team, Oranje made a major comeback in the second half. "I am proud of how we played in the second half. We were 2-0 behind. Then you can just give up, but we played great", Koeman said to NOS.
Pepper spray was released at four Amsterdam Dance Event parties over the weekend. Multiple attendees had to be treated for burning eyes and breathing problems, though no one had to go to hospital. Despite these incidents, the city of Amsterdam speaks of a "calm" 23rd edition of the dance festival.
Six people were arrested because of a disturbance in the Johan Cruiff Arena in Amsterdam on Saturday night, during a match between Ajax and Heracles Almelo. The police are investigating whether this incident in the stands is connected with a steward having a heart attack in the stadium, Het Parool reports.
The suspects, five men and a woman, were arrested in and outside the stadium. The investigation is still in full swing, the police said on Sunday. Officers are talking to witnesses and viewing surveillance camera footage.
Motorists can expect busy roads and traffic jams this weekend, both at home and abroad. In the Netherlands the roads will be crowded due to festivals and concerts. And many holidaymakers are expected on the roads abroad, RTL Nieuws reports.
Angry Ajax supporters stopped the players bus at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Sunday evening, after the football team returned from a humiliating loss against PSV in Eindhoven. PSV won the match 3-0, thereby securing the league title for the 24th time in the Eindhoven team's history, NOS reports.
The bus carrying the Amsterdam footballers arrived at the Johan Cruijff Arena around 8:30 p.m., where angry fans had been waiting for some time. Witnesses described the atmosphere as threatening and police officers were on site, according to NOS.
The Amsterdam Arena will officially be renamed the Johan Cruijff Arena from the next football season, was announced on Thursday after long negotiations between stadium management, the Amsterdam municipality and Ajax. The Dutch football legend's family is pleased that a decision has finally been made, though it could have happened faster, Carole Thate, who acts as spokesperson for the family, said to NU.nl.
A 2015 traffic accident involving once-prominent VVD politician Fred Teeven was caused by his own use of his phone while driving. Now a professional bus driver, the former Number 2 at the Justice Ministry stated his mea culpa in an interview with De Telegraaf.
The April 2 accident was serious enough to later require a brain operation.
The family of football legend Johan Cruijff regrets that that still no agreement has been reached about renaming the Amsterdam Arena to the Johan Cruijff Arena, Cruijff's son Jordi Cruijff wrote in his column in the Telegraaf on Monday.
Despite a win against Sweden on Tuesday, the Dutch national football team will not go through to the World Cup in Russia next year. Oranje beat Sweden 2-0, but a win of 7-0 was needed for the Dutch team to place in the playoffs for the World Cup, RTL Nieuws reports.
Goose bumps and tears filled the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Tuesday night as tribute was paid to Ajax footballer Abdelhak Nouri during the Championship League match between Ajax and Nice. Nouri sustained serious and permanent brain damage after he collapsed during a practice match a few weeks ago.
The Amsterdam ArenA football stadium and concert venue will be renamed Johan Cruijff Arena, a move that will no doubt please fans of both Amsterdam football club AFC Ajax and the Dutch national football team. The announcement was made late on Tuesday evening, what would have been Cruijff's 70th birthday. The football legend died on March 24, 2016, after battling lung cancer.
