The trip began with myself and Olly heading off down to Waterloo to board the Eurostar to Brussels. After a quick trip through the tunnel, we made it to the Belgian capital.
The most interesting thing at Brussels Midi station was this amazing vending machine which sold absolutely everything. We were tempted to buy something just to see how it worked.
Another train took us on to Amsterdam, where we met John, who had already been out in the Netherlands for a few days and seen a couple of games. We bought some cherry beer and chilled out for another couple of hours as we headed on to Heerenveen.
Tournamnet fever had definitely not swept this sleepy town, though they had made a bit of effort which was nice to see.
After a short walk we arrived at the Abe Lenstra Stadium. We were off to see Israel play Belgium. 
Inside, the ground was decidely empty, it did fill up a bit but there were still plenty of spare seats. The game itself wasn't too bad, the card happy Scottish referee booking most of the Belgian team in the first half and sent one off. Another went in the second half for a one bookable offence... the embarrased official later realising his error and calling the player back. Despite these setbacks, Belgium became stronger as the game wore on and managed to win 1-0 with a late goal. This was the tournament's fifth game and only its third goal.
After the game, we headed back to Amsterdam, where we checked into the hotel, which would become our home for the next four days.
THURSDAY 14th JUNE: ENGLAND V ITALY (ARNHEM)
A few more pictures of our hotel, and it's surrounds.
After all the travelling the previous day, we were happy to chill out a bit. So we headed down to the local cafe for the lunch. We were all pretty hungry.
All stocked up, we headed down to Utrecht.
From the station, it was a short bus ride out to the Galgenwaard.
In the fanshop, we bought souvenir badges scarves, while John blagged his way into the ground. This was one of our favourite grounds on the trip.
Utrecht itself was a pretty cool city.
Onwards to Arnhem for the main event of the day, England v Italy. With neither side having won their opening matches this was a crucial game for both teams. There was lots going on around the ground, like games of football. We also noticed that a lot of locals had cycled to the game, which was a nice touch.
Yummy
The pre-match entertainment included people in strange costumes who waved at you, and army cadettes descending from the roof, which was fully closed up.
We played a game of guess who with the flag. It turned out to be Howard & Olly Minton's.
FRIDAY 15TH JUNE: FOUR STADIUMS IN A DAY
We kicked off on Friday by buying tickets for the Ajax stadium tour. We then headed out on the metro to the stadium. The Amsterdam metro was horrid, with hard plastic seats and lots of graffiti everywhere. Upon arrival, we were rather annoyed to find that the tour wasn't running due to there being a concert at the stadium the following day. It wasn't a completely wasted visit though, as we took a few photos and dropped in on the club shop. This also allowed more time for our endeavours in the rest of the day.
We kicked off on Friday by buying tickets for the Ajax stadium tour. We then headed out on the metro to the stadium. The Amsterdam metro was horrid, with hard plastic seats and lots of graffiti everywhere. Upon arrival, we were rather annoyed to find that the tour wasn't running due to there being a concert at the stadium the following day. It wasn't a completely wasted visit though, as we took a few photos and dropped in on the club shop. This also allowed more time for our endeavours in the rest of the day.
Back at the ticket booth, we got refunds on our tour tickets and then headed out again, this time on the train to Rotterdam. Here we bought day passes for the tram and headed first to De Kuip, Feyenoord.
The most interesting aspect of the stadium was the elaborate scheme designed to segregate rival fans. Visitors arrive at the own station, then pass through this special tube which takes them straight into the away section of the stadium.
After a decent tour of De Kuip, we got back on the tram for a trip to our third ground of the day, Excelsior. Our journey through the middle of Rotterdam took us past these crazy houses as well as some giraffes.
The Woudestein, home of another of Holland's top flight clubs, could hardly have been more different. Excelsior's ground holds a just 3,500 and so their promotion to, and survival in the first division is a fine achievment. As at Utrecht, we were invited inside.
This is one of the few Dutch grounds with terraces. The first picture shows the small standing section in the home end, while the second shows the larger away terrace.
Another trip across Rotterdam took us to our final ground of the day, the Sparta Stadium. The
front of the stadium looked like a castle, while a giant songsheet was provided to help you along. Unfortunately the club shop was shut, much to Olly's despair.
We visited the club office and were given old yearbooks and ski hats. We couldn't get inside the ground, but managed to get a few pictures through the gates.
After all that touring, we chilled out with a few beers in the city centre. Westmalle was a popular choice.
After breakfast, we headed back to the hotel, passing a school football tournament in Dam Square. The orange teams kit was sponsored by Hummel and not too dissimilar to Barnet's.
Returning to port, we retired to the pub, where Dave became the quizmaster.
Afterwards, we retired to the hotel for a quiet night in. Kieran handled the paint stipper (11.6%!) rather better than Olly and demolished two cans worth. Meanwhile, the area around the hotel came alive to the sound of music.
After a decent tour of De Kuip, we got back on the tram for a trip to our third ground of the day, Excelsior. Our journey through the middle of Rotterdam took us past these crazy houses as well as some giraffes.
The Woudestein, home of another of Holland's top flight clubs, could hardly have been more different. Excelsior's ground holds a just 3,500 and so their promotion to, and survival in the first division is a fine achievment. As at Utrecht, we were invited inside.
This is one of the few Dutch grounds with terraces. The first picture shows the small standing section in the home end, while the second shows the larger away terrace.
Another trip across Rotterdam took us to our final ground of the day, the Sparta Stadium. Thefront of the stadium looked like a castle, while a giant songsheet was provided to help you along. Unfortunately the club shop was shut, much to Olly's despair.
We visited the club office and were given old yearbooks and ski hats. We couldn't get inside the ground, but managed to get a few pictures through the gates. 
After all that touring, we chilled out with a few beers in the city centre. Westmalle was a popular choice. 
SATURDAY 16TH JUNE: AMSTERDAM
The day kicked off early as I wandered down to Centraal station to meet Kieran, David and John Hunt who had come on the bus overnight. Olly & John entertained themselves in the hotel.
The day kicked off early as I wandered down to Centraal station to meet Kieran, David and John Hunt who had come on the bus overnight. Olly & John entertained themselves in the hotel.
After breakfast, we headed back to the hotel, passing a school football tournament in Dam Square. The orange teams kit was sponsored by Hummel and not too dissimilar to Barnet's.
David was his usual entertaining self, packing enough for a trip to the moon, proudly displaying his underwear and then passing out from the excitement.
In the afternoon, we took a boat trip around town.
Returning to port, we retired to the pub, where Dave became the quizmaster.
Afterwards, we retired to the hotel for a quiet night in. Kieran handled the paint stipper (11.6%!) rather better than Olly and demolished two cans worth. Meanwhile, the area around the hotel came alive to the sound of music.
SUNDAY 17TH JUNE: ENGLAND v SERBIA (Nijmegen)
The following day we bid farewell to Amsterdam and headed out to Arnhem, where we were staying the night. Our taxi drove around in circles and ended up costing us twice as much as it should have done, which was pretty annoying.
Back in Arnhem, we met up with Chris and David and the seven of us made the short trip down
to Nijmegen.
In Nijemegen, we bumped into Olly & Howard and headed on towards the ground. Most unusually, it was in the middle of a dark forest.
Out of the darkness came the stadium, which on the outside oozed style and character.
Inside the ground was rather less inspiring, having been built in functional English style with a single tier of seating all the way around.
Some of our party:
Afterwards, we celebrated in front of the Sky cameras before heading back to Arnhem for our final night. By now, most of us were pretty blotto.
Except Chris & Dave.
MONDAY 18TH JUNE: THE JOURNEY HOME
The following day we bid farewell to Amsterdam and headed out to Arnhem, where we were staying the night. Our taxi drove around in circles and ended up costing us twice as much as it should have done, which was pretty annoying.
Back in Arnhem, we met up with Chris and David and the seven of us made the short trip down
to Nijmegen.
In Nijemegen, we bumped into Olly & Howard and headed on towards the ground. Most unusually, it was in the middle of a dark forest.
Out of the darkness came the stadium, which on the outside oozed style and character.
Inside the ground was rather less inspiring, having been built in functional English style with a single tier of seating all the way around.As is common in the Netherlands, the ground had moats around it seperating supporters from the pitch. They are a good alternative to fences.
There was an impressive display of flags around the ground.
While much of the ground was unsegregated, the usual away section was reserved for Serbian supporters. While the choreography and noise level was impressive, things turned rather more sinister with racist chanting directed towards Nedum Onouha.
While much of the ground was unsegregated, the usual away section was reserved for Serbian supporters. While the choreography and noise level was impressive, things turned rather more sinister with racist chanting directed towards Nedum Onouha.
The build up to the game featured the tournament 'mascots' dressed in silly costumes.
Some of our party:
The game started well with Leroy Lita heading England into an early lead. With news that Italy were beating the Czech Republic, it became essential that England won the game. The nerves were finally settled twelve minutes from time when Matt Derbyshire rifled home a second. The Serbs were not best pleased about this, as one of their players was down at the time and a mass brawl erupted. The Serbian's, of course, were a model of sportsmanship.
Afterwards, we celebrated in front of the Sky cameras before heading back to Arnhem for our final night. By now, most of us were pretty blotto.
Except Chris & Dave. 
MONDAY 18TH JUNE: THE JOURNEY HOMEThe following day, it was time to make our way back home.
Tilburg or Breda (?):
Roosendaal:
Finally, the tube home.
Another fantastic trip, the Dutch grounds have a very different feel to those in Germany but are nonetheless interesting to visit; a trip back to the Netherlands next season to take in a domestic game or two is definitely on the cards.
On the way we passed a few more grounds, Den Bosch:
A random non-league ground:
Tilburg or Breda (?): Roosendaal:
Changing trains in Roosendaal, we came across the rare phenomen of a late running train, the only one of our trip. This is the evidence, taken just before arrival.
Onwards into Belgium, we found another ground, I think this one was in Antwerp.
Back to the Eurostar terminal, we bought souvenir beer and chocolates and then headed back to London.
Finally, the tube home. 
Another fantastic trip, the Dutch grounds have a very different feel to those in Germany but are nonetheless interesting to visit; a trip back to the Netherlands next season to take in a domestic game or two is definitely on the cards. 
