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Match Report: Ajax optimism continues on nostalgic night

20 December: Watching the footage of 1971's European Champions Cup final between Panathinaikos and Ajax, it's simply amazing how the game of football has changed. The speed of play, the space players get, the number of fouls, the harsh defending - football was a completely different game 29 years ago, in 1971, the year in which Ajax won its first European Cup, with Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens, Ruud Krol, Johnny Rep and Sjaak Swart.

Most of the living legends who performed at Wembley in 1971, now played a 25 minute replay of that final, as the last of many Ajax centennial festivities of this year. Panathinaikos won, 0-1, and - more importantly, the gentlemen - 37 in total - had a marvellous time.

Quite paradoxically, the subsequent game between the current first teams of both clubs looked much more like the 1971 final: Ajax dominated for 90 minutes, creating as many chances as they wanted - and the final score was the same as on 2 June, 1971, in London: 2-0 to Ajax. Back then it was Ajax's manifesto as one of the world's most succesful clubs and the start of the most glorious era in Ajax history. Now, at the ArenA, the 2-0 victory meant nothing, although an enthusiastic Ajax team once more underlined the new-born optimism, which is almost tangible at the ArenA these days.

You can hardly talk about "the Ajax team" that played Panathinaikos: actually, Ajax played wit two teams. In the first half, Adriaanse brought his strongest league line-up onto the pitch, except goalkeeper Fred Grim. Bogdan Lobont played the full 90 minutes - and was not forced to perform one single save. The Ajax-1 line-up played surprisingly well, considering that it was friendly game. Numerous chances were created and missed. Nikos Machlas came closest to a goal, as he hit the post with a diving header.

No less than eight second choice players were subbed in in the second half, including the unlucky veterans Aron Winter and Richard Witschge. It didn't change a thing. Ajax kept entertaining the crowd better than anyone had thought beforehand. The atmosphere in the stadium was warm, despite the freezing cold in Amsterdam. Ajax-2 did what Ajax-1 had not done: scoring.

Wamberto, impressive once again, opened the score by firing a high shot into the net from the left side of the penalty box (55). Aron Winter added a second, finishing off a rebouncing shot (81). He didn't cheer.

After the game, Ajax's centennial year was rung out by a spectacular laser and fireworks show on the ArenA pitch. Impressive, just like the one minute of complete silence for the two players of the 1971 team who have passed away since: Nico Rijnders and Dick van Dijk. It was a night of typical Amsterdam wit, club pride and nostalgic memories. Great, but the best thing about it is the optimism for the future. Justified optimism, considering the ease with which players like Yakubu, Hersi, Kanu, Van der Vaart and Van der Gun played against a club still going strong in this year's Champions League.

Things looked completely different at the beginning of this centennial year. But a lot has changed. The second half of the centennial year brought the start of the process which mad Ajax big in 1971, in 1987, in 1992 and in 1995. Ajax supporters have seen it happen before and they just know it's okay. Everyone at Ajax seems convinced that the new year, 2001, is gonna be 'happy' indeed. (MP)

GOALS

• 55' 1-0 Wamberto
• 81' 2-0 Aron Winter

Referee: Van Hulten
Attendance: 22,500
Ajax line-up: Lobont; Bergd¢lmo (46. Sier), Pasanen (46. Yakubu), Chivu (46. Kanu), De Cler; Galásek (46. Winter), Van der Vaart (46. Witschge); Van der Meyde (70. Cruz), Van der Gun (46. Ikedia), Machlas (46. Hersi), Wamberto.
Panathinaikos line-up: Nikopolidis (58. Kotsolis); Henriksen, Olivares (20. Kola/64. Simos), Goumas (73. Delmekouras), Nasiopoulos (65. Alexopoupos); Sigurdsson (46. Koutsoures), Basinas, Liberopoulos, Vokolos; Fissas, Warzycha (46. Pflipsen).

"AJAX 1971" - "PANATHINAIKOS 1971" 0-1
(25 minute replay of 1971 European Champions Cup final at Wembley, London)

16 players used in "Ajax 1971" team: Stuy, Vasovic, Suurbier, Hulshoff, Krol, Swart, Gerrie Mühren, Blankenburg, Haan, Muller, Suurendonk, Rep, Pronk, Kleton, Nuninga, La Ling.

19 players used in "Panathinaikos 1971" team: Oikonomopoulos, Tomaras, Vlahos, Eleftherakis, Kamaras, Sourpis, Grammos, Filakouis, Antoniadis, Domazos, Kaspis, Dimitriou, Gonios, Delegianis, Papdimitriou, Rokidis, Athanasopoulos, Mitropoulos, Kalligeris.