One hundred thousand PSV fans turn out to celebrate: ‘Most beautiful title ever’ | Football

Toen Guus (62) enkele weken geleden hoorde dat hij niet meer gaat genezen van uitgezaaide keelkanker, had hij nog twee grote wensen: PSV kampioen zien worden en samen met zijn zoon Djordy aanwezig zijn bij de huldiging.

Maandag is het zover en bekijkt hij de huldiging vanuit zijn ziekenhuisbed, vanaf de zijkant van het podium. Guus is een PSV-supporter in hart en nieren, kijkt volgens zijn zoon alle wedstrijden van de club en maakte vele titels mee. Dit wordt zijn laatste.

“Maar dit is absoluut de mooiste. De manier waarop, de dominantie. Het is bijzonder dat ik dit nog heb mogen meemaken. Na zes jaar weer een kampioenschap. Prachtig”, vertelt Guus, terwijl zoon Djordy aan zijn ziekenhuisbed staat.

Guus is een van de supporters die maandag in de binnenstad van Eindhoven zijn om misschien wel een van de beste PSV-teams ooit te huldigen. Het 18 Septemberplein, de Markt, het Stratumseind en het plein voor het stadion: overal is het volgestroomd met mensen.

There is speculation about the busiest PSV tribute ever, which cost the municipality 276,000 euros and PSV and catering operators 172,000 euros. There are reportedly more than 100,000 people in the city center of Eindhoven.

At 2 p.m., twenty thousand of them have already arrived at Stadhuisplein. When the gates are opened, they rush into the square like a herd of animals. It is full within minutes, including flares, bangs, flags and people on bollards and buildings.

Monday looks like an extended Liberation Day in Eindhoven. After six years, the city was liberated from Rotterdam and especially Amsterdam dominance. “You noticed that the whole city was yearning for it. We needed this,” says supporter Lotte (21).

Danny (47) took his two daughters to the ceremony for the first time. He speaks of “the most beautiful championship ever”. “Also because of football. We won 28 of the 32 competition matches. I have never seen us play football so dominantly.”

Supporters praise trainer Peter Bosz, who has meant a lot to PSV. “He got it done very quickly. Everything is well put together. This PSV has been a great collective, which has given us as fans a lot of joy,” says supporter Lucas (34).

The joy that radiates from the Eindhoven supporters is logically also noticeable among the players. They start their day in the stadium, where the club has organized a ceremony for children and disabled people.

About fifteen thousand fans – the entire bottom ring is filled – honor their heroes. Particularly popular are Luuk de Jong, Joey Veerman and Noa Lang, who enters the field with a gold chain and a glass of whisky. The players then step onto the flat cart.

Once on the traditional championship car, the hustling PSV players are interviewed by reporter Maddy Janssen from PSV TV. It appears that most PSV players have let go of their boundaries after a long season.

A hoarse-sounding Schouten, who is very calm on the field, goes wild. “If you become champion, I can even dance.” Til, who says he is “completely drunk”, does not get much further than ‘Fritsje Philips, Romáriooo’ in two interviews.

Once on the cart, Patrick van Aanholt gives an in-depth interview. What did he do last night? “Nice party.” How much did he enjoy it? “I always enjoy it, especially today.” And what was his plan on Stadhuisplein? “I always have a plan.”

The PSV players went out on Sunday evening at Stratumseind. “Everyone danced, from players to management,” says Ismael Saibari. It is indicative of the unity of PSV, which has caused so much joy this season with its flashy attacking football.

At the same time, individuals from Eindhoven often excelled, just like during the party on Stadhuisplein. The PSV selection arrives around 7:30 PM – as do the two other flat carts, containing the players’ family.

Cultural guardians and pacesetters Veerman and De Jong, both with bad voices, joke around. Malik Tillman, who had a hard time after the ceremony after many alcoholic drinks, tries to disrupt every interview.

Veerman says at the town hall that he experienced one of the best days of his life. “The day I became a father was special, but this certainly comes close.”

PSV becomes champion once a year until Oh Eindhoven, it’s overcrowded, all PSV songs will be performed during the ceremony. Jordan Teze throws out an imitation of Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, who stole the show at PSV’s last national title with a corrupted version of Come on PSV to sing.

Noa Lang – stage name Noano – sings his song 7K at your party. And Bosz sets We Are the Champions in. Visibly emotional, he expresses his admiration for the supporters. “You guys are just as great as my squad.”

It goes down very well with the supporters, especially when Guus Meeuwis with his drunken namesake Til het song Brabant stake. They wave their arms back and forth for their PSV, which has not made the Eindhoven supporters shiver for a moment this year.

Not long after, PSV’s celebration is over. Not the mission this season. The Eindhoven team can become the best Eredivisie team ever with two victories in the last two matches. It would make the club’s dream year even more special.

And, Lang promised during the ceremony: “PSV will be here again next year.” Guus no longer experiences that. The doctors give him a few more weeks. “But the fact that I was still there is indescribable. This was a special day for all of Eindhoven.”