Over 2000 Ajax supporters will be making their way to Riga to support their team against Latvian champions RFS in a highly anticipated Europa League clash.
There is palpable excitement in the Dutch media focused on Ajax at the news that RFS released more then the minimum, UEFA prescribed 5% allocation for away fans. In total, 2268 fans are expected to arrive on away side tickets with a further few hundred projected to be attending on a general ticket in the main stand. Ajax will have an entire stand at Daugava stadium in Riga allocated to their fans.
Ajax, who currently sit in the 11th position in the Europa league, with 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses are only 3 points above the elimination zone with two games to play – against RFS on the 23rd of January and against Turkish Galatasaray on the 30th of January 2025. The Turks will, no doubt, have no positive memories of Daugava Stadium to share with their Dutch opponents, having draws RFS there on 3rd October 2024 there.
RFS are in the 34th position, still looking for a win but with 2 draws and 4 losses. The Latvian champions are also the only team to make a debut in the Europa League this season and are only the second team from the Baltics to play in Europa league main stages (after FK Ventspils in 2009).
Latvian football season, like in the rest of the Baltics, runs from March to November, so being able to play on natural grass in January is going to be a historic first for the central Baltic state. The weather is expected to be mild for the Northern European winter, but both home and away fans best hope that the game itself will keep them on the edges of their seats as it will by no means be comfortable at the Daugava Stadium that time of year.
In a recent interview to Futbolbumbas, RFS general director Māris Verpakovskis disclosed that the team will be preparing for their final Europa League clashes against Ajax and Dinamo Kyiv in a training camp in Turkey.