At the breakfast table this morning, Olivier was already nervous. “He said: ‘Tonight is the big game. This is the big day, Dad'”, father Axel tells EditieNL. At a young age, Olivier was already hard to beat at Feyenoord. Axel thinks it’s great that he can now experience a European final. “This will be an unforgettable evening for him.”
That is, if the young supporter manages to stay awake. Normally he goes to bed at 6.30 pm, his parents read a story and he is allowed to read for himself. “But if the light goes out half an hour later, he immediately goes to sleep. We are therefore curious how he will last,” says Axel.
cheering
Olivier is also aware that it is actually too late for him. “For example, on the weekend he asked: ‘Would the match have already started?’ But that was far from the case then.” In preparation for the final, he therefore started with a sleep training. “Starting over the weekend, he stayed on the couch a little longer every night to practice staying awake.”
For example, Olivier stayed up until 10.30 pm the day before yesterday, a personal record. But the match lasts at least until 10:45 PM. “I think he can bridge that. I provide food and drinks so that he can stay in the atmosphere. Then you can hardly get tired.”
And if Feyenoord scores, sleeping will be the last thing on the Feyenoord’s mind. “Then he stands on his chair and cheers.”
stretching bedtime
Olivier’s Feyenoord suit, which has just become too small, is ready to be packed. Father and son are sleeping with grandparents in Bergschenhoek tonight, because that is closer to the Kuip. When the final is over, it will be necessary for Olivier to go to bed as quickly as possible. “Unless they win. Then daddy will of course stay in the Kuip for a while to enjoy the atmosphere. Then he will have to extend his bedtime.”
