Just as Tijmen rolled the opening pass to Amani, the faint drizzle over Amsterdam finally ceased, leaving the pitch at Sportcomplex De Toekomst slick and gleaming under the muted April sunlight. It was a cool afternoon, around eight degrees Celsius, and the damp air held an edge that sharpened every movement, every breath. The game was bumped from 60 minutes to 90 minutes for the final.
On commentary duty, a duo of broadcasters set the scene in live, energetic tones. "Welcome to De Toekomst for the Future Cup final. It's Ajax versus FC Utrecht U17, and what a setting we have – cool winds, dew on the grass, and two talented teams ready to battle," the play-by-play commentator announced, his voice echoing across televisions and the stadium PA.
