Visiting Netherlands Most Unique Football Stadium

[@bokoe7469]

As a Feyenoord fan it’s nice to see that the clubs outside of the top three also get some recognition because of your videos. Some of those clubs (Sparta being one of them) have long standing traditions, unique stadiums and proper fanbases but are not well known at all outside of the Netherlands. Thank you for giving our beautiful league a platform!

[@fusionjosh]

thank you for the fantastic comment and I will continue to shine your league in a good way which it deserves and cover more of there smaller clubs!

[@3065_]

Momenteel is Feyenoord ook geen top 3

[@SirBarKer]

@@3065_ Hij bedoelt de klassieke top 3, niet de top 3 op het moment dat jij naar de actuele stand kijkt.

[@Benerniet123]

@@3065_ alleen ajax psv en feyenoord hebben sterren 🤔🤫

[@bokoe7469]

@@3065_ je weet wat ik bedoel simpele

[@timv17]

As a fan of another Dutch club, I think what makes Sparta generally one of the more well-liked teams around the country is the fact that they're so good at embracing their identity. They're one of the oldest teams (1888), play in a traditional shirt, had their glory days a long time ago, have a freakin' castle for a stadium, play the Sparta March at every occasion, have all these art deco ornaments and fonts everywhere and originally attract a certain burgeouisie part of the Rotterdam population. What really helped is that their most famous fan was Jules Deelder, quite an eccentric artist/street philosopher/poet who was able to combine bluntness with great poetry. He would only go out in full black suit and sunglasses. They immortalized one of his famous poems in the stadium. You can see it at 03:50. There's a line that says "Dat de Hemelpoort verdacht veel weg heeft van het Kasteel". It's the last line of a poem that's about death. It roughly translates into "Sooner or later / You die / Can't change that / You'll never grow as old as Sparta / And there probably won't be a heaven when you go out / but when you do, you'll see / that Heaven quite strikingly resembles the Kasteel"

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Correct . iam a supporter of another dutch club as well. but sparta has the the reputation that you still can bring your family to the games. with out issues . Also having a great club song.

[@stevenlars4914]

Goed uitgelegd. Sparta naar voorruuh!

[@jeroenvanpoeijer4339]

Isn't sparta the oldest professional club in NL?

[@marcusfranconium3392]

@@jeroenvanpoeijer4339 Sparta is the oldest of these proffesional clubs , but the oldest Eredivisie club is Vitesse . and oldest football club in the Netherlands is Koninklijke HFC they existed before the first football leagues starterd in 1883 .

[@zorgvraaginpersona4603]

@@jeroenvanpoeijer4339yes

[@gaminghole1963]

As a sparta fan the atmosphere at the games is always amazing everytime the anthem sounds it just gives you this feeling of coming home to your huge family.

[@peter51171]

During the renovation in 1999, the field rotated a quarter. I'm not sure, but it could be that the floodlights are still in their original location.

[@Danpuffpuff65]

Had the pleasure of visiting Sparta Rotterdam last season, I also really enjoyed my visit there, it was a 6:30pm kick off so I managed to also tick off a local Amatuer ground at 2pm on the same day. I also returned from the Netherlands this weekend having visited NEC Nijmegen & MSV Duisburg in Germany. We really do have the best hobby in the world

[@fusionjosh]

Mateee NEC is phenomenal, really enjoyed my time there - I see you on Twitter mate, we're living the dream going to all these matches!! Thank you for the comment 😅

[@Danpuffpuff65]

@@fusionjosh no worries, keep up the great content!

[@Dd-fr6vc]

To which game did you go?

[@markvanharten3995]

I am an FC Emmen fan, I like seeing you visit matches in The Netherlands. In the KKD (second division) you have got to visit NAC Breda, Willem 2 and De Graafschap, they are all teams which are worth the visit!

[@hdmnjdj]

Groningen not to forget😉

[@twanzwart]

and Cambuur!

[@erikthehalfabee6234]

How humble of you not to mention FC Emmen.

[@lucas1984]

MVV is really fun, too. 🙂

[@EvertonPride]

Sparta Rotterdam is a proper Dutch Football Club with still a unique identity and history. I think Go Ahead Eagles also should be a must visit on short term.. old school ''English'' Dutch Football Club. In the second division (Keuken Kampioen Divisie) like mentioned NAC, Graafschap and Willem 2 are hotspots. But I would definitely also visit MVV Maastricht. One of the greatest cities of the Netherlands to have a great weekend and easily to combine with a Belgium or German match the day after because it's close to both borders. MVV has relatively a small crowd but they are fanatic and loyal after 24 years of shite football in the second division. Cheers you have a new sub. Greetings from a Dutch Evertonian.

[@aidygooner]

Sparta's anthem is legendary in the Netherlands and oozes class and tradition. 👏👏🔴⚪

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Dont forget the most known spartaan the night mayor of Rotterdam , Jules Deelder. R.I.P .

[@PendelSteven]

1:22 As you can see on the floor here... Sparta was founded in 1888, making it the oldest footballclub in the Eredivisie In fact, it is the oldest professional football club in the Netherlands As such all footballfans in the Netherlands have respect for the oldest club in the national: good old Sparta!

[@ivoluijendijk5529]

As an Ajax fan all my life, my first ever football match was at the Kasteel, watching Sparta while they were at the second level. The atmosphere a het Kasteel was so amazing that it turned me into a bit of a Sparta fan as well. As a 6 year old, watching Sparta play there with my dad and older brother became a core memory. Sparta is precious for anyone that loves football in the Netherlands, I think.

[@Braziliance]

That's quality than the fans gave you a helping hand mate, that's what it's all about! Seems like a lovely little ground, keep them coming Josh, you'll hit the 100k subs eventually undoubtedly

[@fusionjosh]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@tikkietakka4693]

If i can give you a suggestion, go to FC Groningen. They are playing atm in the second tier but there are always 20.000+ people in the stadium. The club has a big history with player’s like suarez, robben, Van Dijk, Koeman and many more big name’s. Always a nice atmosphere. Definitely nice for a video! There are also a lot of other big teams at the second tier like nac, Roda JC, De Graafschap and willem 2. I think the atmosphere is almost the same and sometimes even better then at first tier clubs.

[@jimwest7107]

Yes I followed them from the UK for a while at the Euroborg! They need proper investment and they'd be top 6 each season

[@fcdordrecht_west]

ik zat in het uitvak heb jullie niet eens 5 minuten horen zingen alleen die trommel hoorde je

[@jeroenoldeman9774]

Great video, love to see you like our club and stadium so much!

[@kanekaas2507]

Thanks so much for visiting our beautiful stadium! I really enjoyed this video :)

[@tanjavanderlinden1130]

SPARTA ❤ love my club. The most beautiful stadion in our country. 👊

[@maltysaltyy]

The food you ate at 4:58 called a kroket which is basically like a meat based ragout filling with a fried outer layer. It's very much a dutch staple! You should also try a "frikandel" if you haven't already!

[@JSG2005]

Michiel Kramer liked this comment

[@bramusa]

You missed out, while you were here we had a true relegation game with Utrecht - Ajax, which was an insane duel as well.

[@jordistruijk4033]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@henkdemollie]

😂😂 ja hoor mooi verhaal. Ik had ajax graag in de KKD gezien , maar degradatiewedstrijd was zeker voor de winterstop echt een sensatietitel.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Sparta Rotterdam , has the most titles after the big 3 that are still active at the highest level , they where the club to beat before the introduction of the professional era . 6 league titles. 3 dutch cups .

[@milandewitte6576]

Glad you liked it! It is great how respectful you are

[@wetenschap123]

A fun fact about Sparta, Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands. it started 135 years ago, imagine that...135 years. and to add it was Sparta who introduced the goal with a crossbar and nets. Before them, only a rope was stretched between the posts.

[@koenbres7718]

Willem II / De Graafschap / Groningen and nac are actually also a must in the Netherlands, even in the KKD.

[@JSG2005]

how about ADO?

[@UnityEnt.]

Nice to hear that you've had a good day at our club bro, any time!

[@fusionjosh]

I really enjoyed it :))

[@jibberism9910]

They did a proper job rebuilding that stadium. Absolute jewel. Btw, have you visited FEBO? If not, you should. It's not an FC, but they got snacks. Nice series!

[@KeiHard]

NAC Breda isn't in the Eredivisie right now, but looking at the ambiance it truly feels like an Eredivisie club. Lots of singing and chants. You definintely need to experience a game at the stadium once.

[@fusionjosh]

I will defo experience it one day!!

[@FR1908_]

Komt wel weer goed met NAC. Horen natuurlijk in de eredivisie

[@ThomVDijk-jm1fr]

@@FR1908_ 🖤💛

[@96erikh]

You have to visit NAC vc Willem 2 in december. Its a derby and the Atmosphere will be insane

[@6MDV6]

Sparta, the gentleman's football club.

[@fromthebarrierandbeyond6036]

Straight onto the 'must do' list .. top video again

[@docfun68]

Great video Josh. Planning a w/e to Holland next year to tick a few off and this great little club is on my wish list. Always love visiting this country as the people are so friendly, it's very clean and the transport is excellent. Looking forward to your next vlogs.

[@gebakkenpalingkje]

i love to see you visiting the eredivisie. i would really recommend to visit Go Ahead Eagles Deventer. Great atmosphere!

[@frontrowviews]

Not many people may know this, but FC Twente is actually one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands. Can’t wait for you to visit the Grolsch Veste

[@amadeus8857]

You should visit Cambuur Leeuwarden. They played eredivisie for the last couple of years but unfortunately relegated last year. This is the last season in the old stadium. From beginning of 2024/25 they will go to a new stadium so will be the last chance. It's in the middle of an old naberhood and always sold out. in my opinion definitely worth it. It's also close to Heerenveen so maybe you can combine it since it's still on your checklist. Love your channel btw!

[@1stutterafter]

I see a football vlogger wearing a MLS kit I simply like the video instantly.

[@Delmar9885]

SC Heerenveen is unique in its own way as they sing the Frisian anthem before every home game. And it is currently the only club from the northern provinces in the Eredivisie. The city of Heerenveen itself isn't that big so it is perfect if you have multiple games to visit in a weekend. FC Utrecht isn't doing too well and has had issues with fans during the season but as one of the biggest cities in the Netherlands I can recommend visiting Utrecht. Other clubs/cities that are great to visit are FC Twente from Enschede and Go Ahead Eagles from Deventer. The club from Deventer has a rivalry with PEC Zwolle so visiting that the matchup between those clubs also can be a shout.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

yep people tend to forget how great the atmosphers are with all dutch clubs . all unique .

[@VikingerOnYT]

I live like 10 mins from there haha! Would've loved to show you Rotterdam :)

[@tijshulst2869]

So cool to see that you came to see our team, glad to see you enjoyed it! Crazy how I didn't see you, I was only a few seats behind you haha

[@ixnairoz25]

If you ever go for another football match in the Netherlands, Willem 2 is a good pick. They have been around since 1896 and the matches always have a lot of energy from the fans

[@MuZeSiCk77]

You should have seen the old stadium of Sparta. It was so much better then. More atmosphere. Just a little small. Now the Castle is on the sideline but is used to be behind the goal. Look it up.

[@seck1ng766]

Sparta doing great things this season great to watch !

[@S0reana]

My hometowns stadium (Ostseestadion) has the floodlights far outside of the actual stadium aswell. Thats the case there because they where built in the 60s, long before the current stadium was even built. So I'm guessing Spartas Stadium has the same floodlighthistory

[@stan1773]

Come to FC Twente, amazing atmosphere and the best stadium food in the world: Broodje Beenham 😋🤤 I would also recommend Go Ahead Eagles, looks like an English stadium and De Graafschap (they play in the first division, but great atmosphere)

[@JSG2005]

its actually called Twenteham (I am a Twente fan)

[@stevenrobertson2404]

Josh great video - now want to go to one of their games. Your my favourite KZbinr and I’m 50. Keep up the great work and hopefully you achieve your 109k subs as you definitely deserve the award

[@geenvis6156]

I am a big fan of sparta. You should look pictures of the old stadium is was much nicer in my opinion

[@Flippityflap]

I'm an ajax fan and my father's friend has skybox Sparta tickets and we always get invited to Sparta - Ajax by this lad. We always go and have a great time. The parties after the game are sick. Even when they lost hahah. Sparta is now definitely my second favourite team in Holland. We've been going for 3 years now. Free alcohol as well

[@9EscFan5]

As an Ajax-fan, I really like Sparta. Their stadium is amazing and it just seems such an unproblematic club and fanbase. Nowadays that's quite rare.

[@EmanuelVandersteene]

Sparta our brothers from the netherlands I'm a waregem fan

[@RealConstructor]

The stadium looks different from the time I once visited it for a game in the eighties. They had a massive high grandstand on one side, which was out of the ordinary for a small stadium, it didn’t match with the rest of the stadium.

[@pietkeizer5279]

You’re right. The stadium was renovated in 1997. The field has changed a quarter turn. The Castle used to be behind the goal, now to the side. The enormous Maas stand you mention has been demolished. There are plans to also enlarge this stadium. Greetings from a Sparta supporter.

[@lukasvandecauter4224]

Sparta is a great club my favoriete club in the netherlands. You should come Watch Zulte Waregem we are good friends with the Sparta ultra’s . Great vids

[@stevenlars4914]

Zulte en Sparta hebben een goede band inderdaad.

[@renzoeerens]

There are a fair few stadiums with the floodlights outside the stadium in the Netherlands, Willem II being one of them

[@fusionjosh]

Oh wow!! thats interesting, thanks for letting me know!

[@FR1908_]

Nooit geweten, ziet er wel grappig uit

[@stanruijters7847]

@@fusionjosh Would love to see you @ a Fortuna Sittard game! The old Fortuna Sittard stadium also had the lights outside the stadium…

[@Guus5]

SPARTA FOR LIFE

[@robbysfootyfocus]

Beautiful stadium, amazing club

[@FanFirstMatchday]

Amazing video bro! Just started making video’s of football games myself and you are my example!

[@hejzr1]

In your eredivisie checklist you used the badge for sportclub Feyenoord, not Feyenoord Rotterdam the pro football club

[@vojtechkostovski951]

In Hradec Králové (Czech Republic) 4 floodlights are also in some distance from the stadium and they are called lollypops because they have a shape of lollypop actually. Sparta Rotterdam ticked off. What about Sparta Prague next? 👍

[@WeEt-zw3oq]

As a Sparta supporter i like you visit our club/ stadium!

[@MRW024]

You didn't really get your first taste of broodje kroket after so many visits in NL, did you? Should be mandatory scran on matchday. With mustard, of course.

[@COBOListhefuture]

Come to [Hometown club], it's the best club in [country of residence]

[@janeising3585]

Fun fact. A few years ago the pitch was turned 90°.

[@davidarends668]

Curious as to why you're wearing an NYCFC kit in the thumbnail?

[@edoverloove6631]

You should really visit some teams from the second division. In the second division there are some big teams as well: N.A.C. Breda, FC groningen, Willem II, de graafschap

[@byERRE]

Good video bro, your channel and your content is look so cool, shout out from Spain amigo👍

[@paesyt6496]

You have to go to Fortuna Sittard and RODA JC.They are very close to eachother and are beautiful stadiums with a great athmosfere.

[@kingofgames8037]

Second time that we were in the stadium as away fans! First at NEC and now against Sparta

[@mo_hennep]

Jullie nieuwe logo is echt poep. Oude logo is veel mooier

[@sanderSPARTA]

Great video!! But the first game wasn't agains Rangers. It was in 1916 agains Willem II. In 2000 the stadium was renovated and for the opening the played agains Rangers. The stadion was always on the same location. Sparta was also the first club in The Netherlands. With a great youth. Players as Depay, Wijnaldum, De Roon, Jorrel Hato, Dumfries, El Ghazi, Ar'jany Martha, Ian Maatsen, Lutsharel Geertruida, came from the Sparta youth. Unfortunaltey Ajax, PSV & Feyenoord buy the most players very young from Sparta so not all the players could make it to the first team of Sparta.

[@jelletijhof7215]

You really needs to visit the stadium of Heracles Almelo its a small stadium with 2 Floors and his capacity is around 10.000 people

[@brendanvansark3467]

Nice to see you again 💪🏽

[@Rivalriesaroundtheworld]

Maybe I miss it but Sparta is the oldest existing football club in The Netherlands. Said among fans it is considered THE genuine club of Rotterdam. But of course that is up for debate amoung the fans of the 3 clubs in Rotterdam

[@remybrakenhoff8751]

about 4 years ago i was a assistant referee there in the stadium, for sparta u15 agains az alkmaar u15!! also that was a very great expierience 🙃

[@roadend78]

Iam Feyenoord fan glad you went to Sparta the situation Rotterdam being a seaport is I think like Liverpool like a massive club like and a small club like Everton in the UK .

[@stevenlars4914]

Both Sparta and Everton where at one point bigger and more successful than their rivals and still have a glorious history and hopefully a great future as well.

[@nevercrossvinnie]

I just got recommended this video, turns out we went to the same game. I am an Ajax fan but some clients of my work invited me to this game. So its either convenience that i got recommended this, or google really stalks people. Anyways, love the vid, i am gonna watch you more.

[@nielsjunker1487]

Great video love your passion 💪 respect from Denmark

[@erik061093]

That kroket you love so much is one of the items in that food wall you thought looked nasty 😂

[@LeedsAway]

Floodlights outside of the stadium is pretty common I think. We have them (leeds)

[@aminegamezzz]

love this series keep doing it

[@andorvbs84]

Good to see and hear my boyhood club again!

[@arthermortimer9878]

Cool to see you so excited of a wooden box n a couple bricks

[@shiv5314]

You will be 3 times at rotterdam for feyenoord sparta and excelsior for you a rotterdam tour also

[@c.yuhsuan7620]

Can you make a playlist for all your netherland content ?

[@fusionjosh]

Very good idea! I will sort this as soon as I can!

[@c.yuhsuan7620]

@@fusionjosh thank you!

[@thecrazydog7928]

go to roda jc they are first in the second divison of netherlands

[@jimdeboer9946]

Did your brother went to Volendam last week? I've met a guy from england and he told he's brother also went to matches

[@PaulPiraat]

Two fun facts: their club anthem is just spelling the clubs name (in Dutch: Ess Pay, Ah Air, Tay Ah = SP AR TA). And secondly that goalscorer who got a red said in an interview he felt like he couldn't do any wrong after scoring so just flew in tackles like a madman 😂

[@LarsHuisinga]

it´s nice that you, as an englishman, do a dutch tour for football stadiums! But i do have one question, i suppert a club that relegated last season, as 18th. FC groningen, currently 13th in the KKD (keuken kampioen divisie, 2nd division). You should visit it, because, the stadium isn't the best, but it's good. Cheers :), love from Groningen 💚💜🤍

[@lucadewit6482]

I played in the stadium was the best experience ever

[@iyt6407]

Broodje Kroket is addictive

[@dylanrijsbergen-ph3fg]

sparta is a rea;y good choice man it has a lot of history and the fansbase is great i am a sparta rotterdam fan myself i also have a season pass so i go to all the home games and its fantastic great choice

[@kingofgames8037]

I hope to see you in Waalwijk soon!

[@petersky9067]

Nice to see you enjoyed your first (and second) "broodje kroket".

[@arjanvanraaij8440]

Josh go visit Go Ahead Eagels Deventer they have propper old fashion stadium and hurry they have the greatest season of the century this year.

[@shiv5314]

My man is doing a whole eredivisie tour

[@Thijs_NL]

wait... you didn't say "THIS IS SPARTA!!!!" when you where standing in front of it? Missed opportunity :p

[@dtimmermans1981]

Only club in europe which starting squad gets number 1 till 11.

[@Niek-0316]

Hey man, Nice video. In i can ever help you with tickets for de Graafschap let me know in the comments!

[@groninger0509]

Do you buy jersey's when you visit a football club?

[@davyjagt146]

Visit Stadion de Koel... VVV-Venlo.

[@yannichusers3060]

You should've visited FC Twente! Known to be an unobtainable foretress, also known about their utmost unfortunate losses while the stadium collapsed..

[@grumpierlion2217]

The one game I'm not there...

[@biekebos58]

Thank you so much for saying that is it cool en happy place

[@retry7131]

Are u going to Lazio Feyenoord? Will there be a way to meet up? Lazio supporter btw

[@fusionjosh]

👀👀

[@THO-BRO2000]

I think that VVV-Venlo actually has the most unique stadium, though of course Het Kasteel is als a very unique stadium :)

[@jeohist]

Josh komt ook van Rotterdam Centraal 😂

[@nicknieuwelink351]

Rotterdam is so beautiful i love my town

[@stuartibbertson2009]

fantastic video