Champions League Part 1 of 3, the preliminary rounds, fond memories, and the cost.

In 20 years, we'll still be talking about this season, the double, and the unforgettable Champions League adventure. We started this year in the arena against Sturm Graz; a 2-0 home victory gave us a good starting position for the return leg. In Graz, it was 1-3, with 2 goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

The next round meant a two-legged tie closer to home; Standard Liège was the next hurdle. The first leg seemed to be decided after just over half an hour, an early 0-2 lead, and no problems in sight. In the second half, it turned out that the concentration was not optimal, and in injury time, it eventually became 2-2 from a penalty.

While the media speculated about a 'grueling return leg', in the arena, after one half of play, it was practically over. Shortly after half-time, Neres made it 3-0, and the rest of the match was for the statistics.

It was also the match where we first had the new windbreakers available online and at the stalls. We were surprised by the great interest and proud to see that the windbreakers were so well received.

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(Windbreaker black, now also available in Navy and Red, including bag)

The last hurdle in the preliminary round turned out to be Dynamo Kyiv. Everyone still remembered the images from 2010 of Suarez scoring. At home, the start was textbook, an early 1-0 lead by Donny meant a release of emotion in the arena. Everything seemed to go smoothly, until, after fifteen minutes, an undeserved equalizer fell out of nowhere. 1-1 and an away goal conceded, the arena did what it would do so much more often later in the year, elevating Ajax to a higher level by producing a hurricane of sound.

Before half-time, the score became 2-1 and 3-1, which turned out to be the final result. In Kyiv, it was 0-0, which meant qualification for the Champions League group stage. We were happy after qualifying and looked forward to the return journey; what a dilapidated city Kyiv is!

The qualification for the final round also meant that the first cost estimate could be made. The cheapest ticket this time was for the away game in Kyiv; for 4 whole euros, we had a ticket. Later, it turned out that more than half of those 4 euros went to UEFA. The trip to Kyiv, on the other hand, was a slightly more expensive joke. Via Warsaw by plane, a long layover, and a lot of hassle at customs.

The flight cost 387 euros, and the hotel 200 euros for 2 nights in Kyiv. On match day, we did our best to spend our monopoly money, which turned out to be a good anesthetic. At the 'secured area' where we had to gather on Ajax's recommendation, the corrupt police apparently gave the cowardly boys from Kyiv free rein. Out of nowhere, 200 men came from all sides; the bricks flying through the air didn't just land on the ground. The many beers proved to be enough anesthesia to still be able to attend the match.

The away matches against Standard Liège and Sturm Graz were watched from our holiday address. It remains a strange sensation, those preliminary rounds in the middle of summer. For the home match tickets, we paid 38.25 for Sturm Graz, 41.00 euros for Standard Liège, and 42.75 for Kyiv at home.