With 2013 coming to a close, we pick our award winners from the past year in Dutch football.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
After the horror show that was Euro 2012! Netherlands national team have enjoyed an excellent 2013, remaining undefeated throughout the year, and qualifying for next summers World Cup with ease.
Domestically Frank de Boer’s Ajax won their third Eredivisie title in a row,and impressed in the Champions League, while PEC Zwolle, and Go Ahead Eagles have also had a memorable year.
Now onto the players, Arjen Robben got over his 2010 World Cup demons to score the winner in the Champions League final. Robin van Persie fired Manchester United to the Premier League title, while a number of hugely talented youngsters have broken through in the Eredivisie as the future for Netherlands looks bright.
Our award winners for 2013 are as follows:
Dutch player of the year: Winner- Arjen Robben
A perfect year for Arjen Robben has seen him among the world’s best this year. Bayern Munich’s flying Dutchman scored the winner in the Champions League final, whilst helping his side reclaim the Bundesliga title from Dortmund.
2nd Robin Van Persie, 3rd Daley Blind
Eredivisie player of the year: Winner- Alfred Finnbogason
27 goals in 30 appearances throughout the year, and eight assists make it the perfect year for the Heerenveen striker. 2014 may see him move on to another team, but Finnbogason was lethal in the Eredivisie in 2013.
2nd- Graziano Pelle, 3rd- Daley Blind
Team of the year: Ajax
Three Eredivisie wins in a row, and a good showing in the Champions League have made it another good year for Ajax. Beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Amsterdam Arena with 10 men a highlight.
2nd- Vitesse, 3rd- PEC Zwolle
Coach of the year: Winner- Frank de Boer
Won his third Eredivisie title in a row with Ajax, and has so far guided them to the top of the table this season in a bid to become the first ever Ajax coach to win 4 titles in a row.
2nd- Ron Jans, 3rd- Louis van Gaal
Goal of the year: Winner- Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich v Dortmund, Champions League final, watch here)
Maybe not the best goal to look at, but the magnitude it will have on the career of Arjen Robben is huge. Known for missing that huge chance against Iker Casillas in the World Cup final, and missing a penalty in a previous Champions League final, Robben finally made himself the hero.
2nd- Hakim Ziyech (Heerenveen v RKC, watch here ), 3rd- Michael de Leeuw (Groningen v NEC, watch here)
Young player of the year: Winner-
Match of the year: Winner- PSV 2-3 Ajax (14/4/13)
The game that all but decided the 2012-13 title was going to Ajax in a pulsating game at the Philips Stadion. A late Derk Boerrigter goal turned out to be the decider.
2nd- Ajax 2-1 Barcelona (26/11/13), 3rd- Netherlands 8-1 Hungary (11/10/13
Young Dutch player of the year: Winner- Bruno Martins-Indi
The Feyenoord defender has had a brilliant year, and is now a crucial part of Netherlands national team. The 21-year old can play left back, but has impressed as a solid centre back, who could prove to be one of Europe’s best in his age category.
2nd- Marco van Ginkel, 3rd- Adam Maher
One to watch in 2014: Winner- Memphis Depay
PSV may have had a disappointing start to the season, but 19-year-old Memphis Depay’s performances have led to three national team caps. 2014 could see Depay taken to the World cup as Louis van Gaals wildcard. A left winger with terrific skill, and a rocket shot, the next Robben or Van Persie?
2nd- Joel Veltman, 3rd Jean-Paul Boetius
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