My Rotterdam Challengers Experience

Last night I went to my first Rotterdam Challengers game here in Rotterdam.  A friend of mine (who will remain nameless to save her from being hounded for favors) told me she had a friend who could get her free tickets so I was like, oh HELL yeah!  I love basketball!

I’ve been to many basketball games back in Canada, but I somehow remembered it as being more exciting than the game was last night.  Perhaps it was the lack of fans that attended (or maybe there just aren’t that many, I don’t know), or the poor performance by the team I was supposed to be cheering for, but after a short while I was thinking more about how sore my ass was from the plastic chairs than anything about the game.

I brought along my camera to play around with and have a go at some sports shots.  I’m pretty sure I’ll never be a sports photographer, but it did make the evening a bit more interesting.  Not having the first clue on how to take photos of sports, I did what any good camera newbie would do and set it to the sports setting and hoped for the best.

They were playing WCAA Bergen op Zoom who I’m afraid to say wiped the floor with our Rotterdam team.  There were a few moments where I thought they were going to perhaps make a comeback but they were short lived.  The away team just seemed to have their game on more than ours did, it was pretty obvious and even a non-sporty like me could see it.  I’m pretty sure that’s what the referees were discussing as well.

All in all it was a good evening, I enjoy getting out with friends and trying new things, even if your friends spend the evening whacking you for clapping for the opposing team! (Hey, it’s the polite thing to do!  I’m Canadian, remember?  It’s just how we roll!)  Not sure I’m really eager to go to another game but at least now I can say I have been.  Plus, we had a good time comparing which of the players we thought was cuter.  Mine was on the opposing team, which earned me another smack…

So, not a huge fan of basketball in the Netherlands.  In a country where it’s not a very popular sport, you definitely feel the difference when compared to North America where the stands are full and the crowds are boisterous!  I think if I want to really get a feeling for Dutch enthusiasm for sports, I will have to catch a football game instead.  Living only a stones throw from Stadion Feijenoord should make that a pretty achievable goal!

Getting my non-sporty, rather dive into a pool of razors and lemon juice than watch a game hubby to go with me may prove to be the real challenge!