Amsterdam Tournament

The Amsterdam Tournament is an annual association football tournament played in the pre-season, hosted by Ajax Amsterdam. It is organised by the International Event Partnership (IEP).

Related Topics:
Amsterdam - Association football - Ajax Amsterdam

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The Amsterdam Tournament in its present form is the successor to the Amsterdam 700 Tournament, which began life in 1975 to celebrate 700 years of the city of Amsterdam's history. It was thereafter held annually until 1992, when the last edition of the "old" tournament was played. The next edition was not played until 1999, when the tournament got off the ground with the backing of the IEP.

Related Topics:
1975 - 1992 - 1999

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The tournament involves four teams, one of which is always the host. Other teams to have competed in the tournament since its reincarnation in 1999 include Arsenal, Galatasaray, Manchester United, Internazionale, Lazio and Valencia.

Related Topics:
Arsenal - Galatasaray - Manchester United - Internazionale - Lazio - Valencia

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The tournament has four matches, all played at Ajax's home ground, the Amsterdam ArenA. The games take place over three days in July or August, the second of which is used to rest between the first and third days. The only exception to this is the 1999 tournament, which took place over only two days, with no rest day in between.

Related Topics:
Amsterdam ArenA - July - August

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The Amsterdam Tournament uses an unusual points-scoring system. As with most football, a victory results in three points; a draw in one; and a defeat in none. However, teams are rewarded one extra point for every goal they score. For example, a 3-3 draw brings the same number of points as a 1-0 victory. This system is designed to encourage more attacking football.

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As it is a pre-season friendly tournament, games are typically not played as competitively as matches during the main season. In spite of this, it is still taken as a useful gauge of each team's ability going into the new season.

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The 2005 event saw Ajax, Arsenal, Boca Juniors and FC Porto compete.

Related Topics:
2005 - Boca Juniors - FC Porto

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