De Klassieker

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The rivalry between Feijenoord and Ajax grew intense quickly after professional football began. Matches between the two clubs were dubbed 'de Klassieker' ('The Classic'). One of the most memorable early Klassiekers from a Feijenoord point of view was on 11 November 1956, when Daan den Bleijker scored four goals to give Feijenoord a 7–3 win. In 1961, on the road to Feijenoord's first professional Eredivisie championship, Ajax was beaten 9–5 in De Kuip, with four goals scored by Henk Schouten. In 1962, Feijenoord reached the final of the Intertoto Cup 1961–62, where they faced arch-rival Ajax in the final and lost 4–2.

In Their Own Story

The first memorable Klassieker from a Feijenoord point of view took place at 11 November 1956, when Daan den Bleijker scored four times to give Feijenoord a 7–3 win over their archrivals. In 1961, on the road to the title, Ajax was beaten 9–5 in De Kuip, four of Feijenoord's goals were scored by Henk Schouten. In 1962, Feijenoord faced arch-rival Ajax in the final of the Intertoto Cup 1961–62 and subsequently lost 4–2.

Reader's Guide

De Klassieker is the longstanding rivalry between Ajax and Feyenoord, a clash between two teams from the two biggest cities in the Netherlands. The rivalry grew intense after the start of professional football in the 1954/1955 season. Feijenoord won a memorable 7–3 victory on 11 November 1956, with Daan den Bleijker scoring four goals. In 1961, Feijenoord beat Ajax 9–5 in De Kuip, with four goals from Henk Schouten. The following year, Ajax beat Feijenoord 4–2 in the Intertoto Cup final. Along with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord is one of the country's "big three" clubs that have dominated the Eredivisie.

Did You Know?

• The first memorable Klassieker from a Feijenoord point of view was on 11 November 1956, when Daan den Bleijker scored four times in a 7–3 win.
• In 1961, Feijenoord beat Ajax 9–5 in De Kuip, with four goals from Henk Schouten.
• Feijenoord faced arch-rival Ajax in the 1962 Intertoto Cup final and lost 4–2.
• Along with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord is one of the country's 'big three' clubs.