The 25th jubilee Dutch Knudde 6aside tournament was an enormous success!

24 struggling teams and of course also a 6aside Youth Tournament were the formula for a fantastic successful day. Knudde has achieved her setup goals with great efforts because what was rather a ‘mensday’ has been transformed now into a family happening since 7 years so we are on the top of the mountain now and want to maintain and continue that. With naturally big thankfulness to the organizers and motors, Arnold van der Veen and Wouter Lindner, behind the screens and the support of another few persons like myself.

Remarkable whipping cream and cherry on the big Jubilee Cake was the attending of our Dutch Ambassador in Indonesia, Mr. Treffers who managed to do the reaching out of the trophees to the seniors and the youth as well. He acted as a real father figure there on that stage with touching words and comments for all the winners. Another colorful person who is well known in Jakarta and to the JIFL was that day on the spot... No one else than former Knudde Chairman, Organiser of 9 years six a side tournaments from 1988 until 1997 Sjef de Backer came from Holland via Manila to this event.

Germans wouldn’t be Germans if with a lot of damned luck like always and 5 players because of a real scandalous and shamefull foul on us, scored the 3^rd and winning goal. For some moments it became a breathtaking war again like in The World Cup Final 1974 and the Semi Final of the Euro 1988. Our east neighbours were justified eliminated by the earlier mentioned Malang FC., a good mix of Javanese Lads and 2 priest sons (Kees is obviously not the only one) who took the sharp desired title and celebrated live on stage under a standing ovation of the audience and the beautiful directed sounds of “Gonna fly now- Theme of Rocky” and “We are the champions of Queen”

Still Ajax was standing with empty hands but don’t be sad-Always look at the bright side of life Monthy Python sang; With typical Amsterdamned bravado, courage and a bit of arrogance we are going to claim the title and the cup on Sunday June 5^th at the Scottish Highland Gatherings at Karawachi. The AJAX caravan continues it’s hunting for noble metal. By the  way Knudde is going to Bandung in the weekend June 10^th – 12^th to have her annual meeting and clash with the Bandung All stars and to Bangkok for it’s famous Six A Side in November.

One sound of complain and critics is going to teams who were complaining about our Ajax en Feyenoord music what is a heart and soul support for Arnold’s and my team during their matches. I understand demonstrants who doesn’t like Dutch Music all day and I agree with that. It’s an International family event so if Knudde organizes and invests many many free hours to make everyone happy such a day, it also has the right to play some music repeatedly during Knudde’s team matches. See it like you are invited to a party at our house and you are complaining about the music we play. I think it’s very impolite. We wouldn’t have the guts to complain when we come to your house. I mean we are the guests. You are the host then. You know what I mean?

Maybe it’s a good topic for the 1^st JIFL meeting next season to discuss this. I propose that we just can play our footballsongs only during our matches. Also I propose that other teams bring their CD with footballsongs to play during their matches. Mates, I mean to say I never hear anymore:….” We got the whole worlds in our hands” ’79   or other songs like ….”We’re going for England—Eng-ge-land! ’88 or “Football is coming home” ’96. So bring your own favorite songs and we make a more great day of it next year, okay!

I am looking back to a very great and successful day but also exhausting day. Arnold and me are going to Barbeque very soon and will write an official Jubilee report for ‘The Umbrella” (That is the monthly magazine for the Dutch Community in Indonesia)

At the end I have a question to everyone who reads this and is concerned with Knudde and the Six a Side in the future. I’m going to set up Knudde’s 1^st website ever before I leave to The Netherlands for half a year for work. Who from all the JIFL teams owns pictures or videos or nice and funny stories of all former 6aside tournaments and matches vs. Knudde in all former JIFL and ISC competitions since 1976, please send this to me by email or to my home address:

Jeroen Lezer
Jl. Abdul Rahman 15
Rt 15/Rw 5 Cibubur, Ciracas
13720 Jakarta Timur

Or give me a call at home: 872 93 12 or 872 58 10 or mobile: 0811 873 624. Thanks. Closing this Knudde 6aside report I mention Knudde M.I.A.’s (Missing in Actions). If you have heard anything of them, address or phone numbers please report it to me also.