8 May 2002 showed that the relatively successful nineties were just a springboard to an even greater achievement. Under Bert van Marwijk and driven on by the brilliance of Pierre van Hooijdonk a rejuvenated Feyenoord claimed the Uefa Cup on home turf at De Kuip 28 years after the last triumph. No one in the Netherlands really believed it could be done in the era of big bucks.

Feyenoord started the 2001/02 season in the Champions League, but they found it tough going and it took all their strength to secure third berth in the group to win a place in the Uefa Cup. Things would get better however. The first opponents were SC Freiburg. Racked by injuries and suspensions Feyenoord managed to gain a slender one-goal lead at De Kuip thanks to Shinji Ono. In Germany the adventure looked to be over when the home side took a two-goal lead, but then Feyenoord were awarded a free kick over by the dead-ball line on the left flank. Pierre van Hooijdonk stepped up to guide the ball across the ball and behind a despairing keeper to score perhaps the most remarkable goal of recent seasons. It was an important one too, because the home side never really recovered from the shock, and Leonardo levelled the game at the death to confirm Feyenoord’s advancement to the next round.

The European campaign resumed after the winter break and Feyenoord immediately looked hungrier and more confident. With Van Hooijdonk in inspirational form, Feyenoord locked horns with Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers. It was an emotional return to Ibrox for Van Hooijdonk, who had plied his trade with the Gers’ old-firm rivals Celtic across the city. Shinji Ono gave the Rotterdammers the lead in Scotland, but a lot of huff and puff from the home side finally won a penalty that brought them level. Back in Rotterdam Rangers scored first, but Van Hooijdonk sent a signal to the rest of Europe by converting two almost identical free kicks before the break to give his side more than a fighting chance. After the turnaround Bonaventure Kalou added the third with his head, after European debutant Robin van Persie had waltzed through the Scottish defence. The Scots got their second penalty of the tie just before the end, but Ferguson’s strike was not enough to save the visitors.

There was a domestic opponent in the quarter final, as Feyenoord were drawn against PSV. The two sides met five times that season and four of them ended in deadlock after ninety minutes. The game in Eindhoven was worthy of the occasion, but it was back at De Kuip that the fireworks started in a night that the Feyenoord legion will surely never forget. The home side played well, but with fourteen minutes left PSV took an aggregate lead through Bert van Marwijk’s son-in-law Mark van Bommel. As the clock ticked down it looked like curtains for Feyenoord, until that is Pierre van Hooijdonk got his head on Johan Elmander’s 94-minute cross to find the back of the net and send the stadium into raptures. Extra time brought no more goals, although there was a red card for Van Bommel, and the game went to penalties. At 4-3 to Feyenoord Edwin Zoetebier stopped Gakhokidze’s spot kick, setting it up for Pierre to shoot Feyenoord into the semis. As De Kuip celebrated the victory, Van Hooijdonk was not the only one with tears in his eyes.

San Siro hosted the first leg of the semi-final, after Feyenoord were drawn against Inter Milan. Around 10,000 fans made the trip to the scene of Feyenoord’s 1970 European Cup victory and they were rewarded with a mature performance from their team, which ended in victory for the Rotterdammers thanks to Cordoba’s own goal. Suddenly the dream was in sight. Back at De Kuip Feyenoord played a powerful game against the Italians, brushing Internazionale aside in the first 70 minutes to take a two-goal lead – Van Hooijdonk and Kalou were the scorers. With the final within touching distance Bert van Marwijk’s side showed some nerves in the last 20 minutes as Inter pulled a goal back, but it was too little too late.

Feyenoord had reached their first European final in 28 years and, as if predestined, it was to take place at their very own De Kuip stadium. The Feijenoord stadium was a-wash of red and white on the one hand and yellow and black on the other on 8 May 2002, as Feyenoord lined up against Borussia Dortmund in the final. It was an emotional evening in which Pierre van Hooijdonk once again excelled for the Rotterdammers. Two goals from the big man in the first half – including of course one of those trade mark free kicks – gave Feyenoord a great start, and after a German goal early in the second half a Jon Dahl Tomasson strike restored the ‘home’ side’s lead. A thunderous Jan Koller effort was not enough to stand in the way of Feyenoord’s date with destiny, however as Paul Bosvelt lifted the trophy amidst some poignant scenes at De Kuip.

Sorce: Feyenoord Media