No Bridge Too Far: Go Ahead Eagles Deventer bridge display

Images: Han Balk

The city of Deventer is alive on this Saturday night, you can hardly find a seat on the terraces of the bars and restaurants on the historic Brink square.

After days of rain, summer is back, at least for a few days.

Under the IJssel bridge, the lads of the Sfeerteam ADHD, Go Ahead Eagles’ ultra group, gather for their annual season opening. Meanwhile, families take a stand on the quay of the IJssel river, having a proper view on the bridge and with their mobile phones ready for some action.

The noise does not go unnoticed on the terraces near the river either and they might have the best seats in the house, enjoying the last of the sun and a few drinks.

At nine PM, a 100 yard long banner is revealed, showing club icons, including founder and holocaust victim Han Hollander and also the local talent Sam Beukema, who left AZ Alkmaar this summer for Italian Serie A-team Bologna.

A little later, the Wilhelmina bridge is lit up with pyro, just like it was in the summer of 1976, standing in as a movie location for the Arnhem bridge in the Richard Attenborough movie A Bridge Too Far.

After the smoke, flares and fireworks, Go Ahead Eagles and its supporters are ready for another Eredivisie season.

A day later they lost 5-1 away at AZ Alkmaar. They never said it would be easy.