20,000 Screaming Children Watch A Soccer Match

The last time AZ Alkmaar came to town, an Ajax fan attacked their keeper. AZ was pulled off the field, and the Dutch FA later declared the game a wash. Today was the replay, but due to the Netherlands' — and specifically's Ajax's — problems with ultras, the match was supposed to be played in an empty arena. Instead, a compromise: the tickets were given to 20,000 local children, with just a handful of adults as chaperones.

AZ manager Gertjan Verbeek called it "a strange atmosphere, but also a nice one." AZ won 3-2, but every time Ajax scored, the place sounded like the Teen Choice Awards.

[via Dirty Tackle]