The details that break the mold on a match day at the stadium of the rich in Eindhoven » Strictly forbidden, but present everywhere

The GSP reporters came to Eindhoven at a particularly significant moment. Ahead of the game with Volendam, the club paid tribute to the legendary Willy van der Kuijlen, nicknamed 'Mister PSV', the top goalscorer in the history of the Eredivisie, a 'scorcher' who many Dutch football fans say had his career 'sabotaged' by Johan Cruyff.

The family of the late footballer, who died in 2021, witnessed today the naming of one of the promenades near the stadium in “Willy van der Kuijlen”.

• Van der Kuijlen has 660 games and 403 goals for PSV.

Matchday in Eindhoven: the glories, in the place of honor

Respect for the club's glories could be seen in every area of ​​the stadium. Posters, drawings with historical moments, a box full of legends at today's game.

Images from the match PSV – Volendam 3-0 PHOTO: Ionuţ Iordache (GSP)

The area dedicated to people in wheelchairs is also remarkable. More than 100 people enjoyed the victory of the favorites from a few meters from the lawn. As many as the children who waited for a picture or an autograph.

In the stands, the spectators were well dressed. Literally, but also figuratively. The drawn roof of the arena amplifies the cold sensation in the upper rings. In the world of Dutch ultras, PSV is seen as a “rich man's team”.

Eindhoven is one of the prosperous cities, a place of expats and the IT industry, but also an area with a strong Catholic identity, unlike the Protestant regions in the North.

494 million eurosis the market value of the PSV club, according to the latest edition of “Football Clubs' Valuation”. It ranks 31st in Europe. The leader is Real Madrid, 6.278 billion euros

The atmosphere was rather subdued, with only 200-300 people singing on a lawn, out of a total attendance of 34,700. Instead, luxury and opulence in the area of ​​restaurants, cafes and bars.

Beer, weed, peace

If we still got to the bars, beer is allowed in the stadiums in Holland. Despite the cold, hundreds of brave men turned out to empty the barrels. A glass of 0.5 liters costs 6.30 euros. Other prices:

• white wine – 5 euros/glass
• red wine – 5 euros/glass
• Red Bull – 5 euros
• coffee – 3.40 euros
• tea – 3 euros
• Coca Cola – 6 euros/0.5 liter bottle

Images from the match PSV – Volendam 3-0 PHOTO: Ionuţ Iordache (GSP)

The faces of PSV footballers are drawn on the beer glasses. Dennis Man was missing and the moment the girls at the bar were asked about him raised smiles. It seemed like the first time I heard the name.

Although the first point of the regulation placed at each entrance states “it is forbidden to bring objects with which the order can be disturbed, as well as alcoholic beverages or narcotic substances”, the smell of “grass” hit you strongly from all directions.

A protest banner also appeared in the stands: “Stop collective punishmentUltras of all teams believe that the governing body of the Eredivisie (KNVB) is overzealous when it closes sectors or entire lawns because of crimes committed by only a few individuals.

Images from the match PSV – Volendam 3-0 PHOTO: Ionuţ Iordache (GSP)

View from the press table

The area intended for journalists is positioned high in Tribune 2. The conditions are top notch. Sufficient seats, friendly staff to guide you, the match is playing on small monitors in front of you, sufficient and working sockets, high speed Wi-Fi. On a speed read, they seem like trivial things. The experience of the stadiums in Romania, but not only, destroys the preconception.

Every 5 minutes, the club staff served hot tea, coffee, water and various snacks. Again, an unconventional approach.

Let's stay in the media area. More than 30 journalists were present at the press conference where Joey Veerman, the scorer of the first goal, and coach Peter Bosz.