1960/1961 – Fredrikstad FK
In August 1960, the first official match between a Norwegian club and Ajax took place. On the last day of that month, the Ajacieden travelled to Frederikstad for the Europa Cup for league champions. Ajax coach Vic Buckingham's team visited the Norwegian champion Fredrikstad. The home team showed enough mental resilience and came back twice from a deficit after goals from Cees Groot and Sjaak Swart. After ninety minutes of football on a heavy and slippery pitch, the scoreboard ultimately showed 4-3 in favour of the Norwegians. The decision would be made in Amsterdam.
A week later, on September 7, 1960, the two teams faced each other at the Olympic Stadium. Fredrikstad closely marked the Ajax attackers, threw themselves at every ball, and when an Ajax player did manage to break through, there was no chance of getting past goalkeeper Per Mosgaard. Even when the Norwegians were reduced to nine men in the final stages due to two injuries, they held firm. Ajax's attacking efforts were in vain, and after just one round, the European ambitions of the Ajacieden were crushed after a 0-0 draw.
1977/1978 – Lillestrøm SK
Seventeen years later, Ajax once again faced a Norwegian club in the first round of the European Cup for Champions. Once again, an away game was first on the agenda. This time, Lillestrøm SK was the opponent.
The Norwegian champions needed less than a minute to take the lead against Ajax. The Norwegians were known for their ruthless set-piece situations and quickly scored from a corner kick. A stunned Ajax watched as the enthusiastic Lillestrøm SK passed them from all sides. Fifteen minutes later, it was 2-0 again, this time also from a corner kick. Ajax created little chances and had to give their all in Amsterdam.
On September 28, 1977, the return leg was scheduled at De Meer. Attack, attack, and attack was the motto of the Ajax players. With four forwards, Tomislav Ivic went all out on the attack. Ajax took control of the game from the kickoff and pinned down the Norwegian defense. Ajax's wingers Tscheu La Ling and Simon Tahamata were in excellent form, driving the Norwegians to desperation. The Amsterdam-based team won 4-0 convincingly thanks to goals from La Ling (2), Ruud Geels, and Jan Birkelund (own goal). It resulted in the iconic photo of Bob Haarms and Tahamata afterwards. The first official victory against a Norwegian opponent and qualification for the second round had been achieved.
2002/2003 – Rosenborg
In the memorable Champions League season of 2002/2003, Ajax travelled to Trondheim in October 2002 for a group-stage match against Rosenborg. The Amsterdam-based team went to Norway after a 2-1 victory against Olympique Lyon and a 1-0 loss to Inter.
Against the experienced Norwegians, Ronald Koeman's team held their ground. In the atmospheric and cold Lerkendal Stadium, Ajax secured a point with a 0-0 draw. In a mediocre match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mido, and Richard Witschge came close to scoring for Ajax, but they failed to turn their chances into goals.
Three weeks later, the Norwegians visited Amsterdam for the fourth group-stage match. Despite Ajax's fresh and attractive performance, the match ended in another draw. Especially in the first half, Ajax dominated the game. This resulted in Ibrahimovic's goal, scoring 1-0 after a fine cross from the advancing Hatem Trabelsi. It was already the third Champions League goal by the talented Swede of that season. Ajax's approach changed after half-time, adopting a more defensive style, which gave the Norwegians opportunities. Just before the end, the equaliser came after Jelle van Damme handled the ball on the goal line, leading to a red card and a penalty: 1-1.
2006/2007 – IK Start
In 2006, Ajax visited IK Start in the preliminary round of the then UEFA Cup. Henk ten Cate's team had previously been eliminated from the chase for a Champions League spot by FC Copenhagen. IK Start earned two matches with Ajax through the preliminary rounds but had to move their home game to Lillestrøm SK's stadium.
With players like Jaap Stam, John Heitinga, Wesley Sneijder, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Ajax, despite struggling in some game phases, proved too strong for the Norwegians. IK Start defended admirably and equalised twice but ultimately surrendered after goals from Huntelaar (2), Markus Rosenberg, Sneijder, and Roger: 2-5.
For coach Ten Cate, the return leg in Amsterdam, where they had to defend a 5-2 lead, was an opportunity to rotate the squad. Goalkeeper Dennis Gentenaar made his European debut for Ajax, mostly watching his teammates threaten the Norwegian goal. With two goals from Rosenberg and one from Zdenek Grygera, the score was already 3-0 at halftime. After the break, Ajax eased off, and only substitute Ryan Babel found the net. Ajax won 4-0 and comfortably secured a place in the group stage.
2015/2016 – Molde FK
In the 2015/2016 season, Ajax participated in the Europa League, grouped with Celtic, Fenerbahçe, and Norwegian side Molde FK. After the opening match against Celtic (2-2), Ajax faced Molde FK away at the Aker Stadion. Ajax played decently at times in Norway, but it didn't deliver the desired number of goals. The missed chances on Ajax’s side eventually broke up Frank de Boer’s team.
On Molde FK's artificial grass, where the weather circumstances were windy, Ajax conceded a goal due to an unfortunate loss of ball possession. Ajax equalised via Vicktor Fischer, but that was the final score. In the final phase of the match, where the Norwegians created a few dangerous moments, Ajax failed to score for the second time. Till the end, despite some dangerous moments from both sides.
The home game against Molde, over two months later, marked Ajax's European elimination. Once again, Ajax had the better of the game against the Norwegians, but the match ended 1-1 again. This time, Ajax took the lead with Donny van de Beek's goal, but shortly after, the Norwegians equalised. Ajax's European adventure came to an end after failing to secure a win against Molde FK once again.
2017/2018 – Rosenborg
Rosenborg is the only club Ajax faced more than once. After the Champions League group stage in 2002, the two teams met again in 2017, this time in the Europa League preliminary round. In the previous season, 2016/2017, Ajax reached the Europa League final. However, six months later, the qualification for the main tournament against Rosenborg did not materialise.
In Amsterdam, Marcel Keizer's team suffered a late goal from Samuel Adegbenro. The crucial match took place a week later in Trondheim, but Ajax stumbled again. Ajax started well, but the home team took the lead. After halftime, Keizer brought in an extra attacker, Huntelaar, which paid off. Goals from Amin Younes and Lasse Schöne seemed to secure Ajax's passage, but that was not the case. In a stunning final phase of the match, Adegbenro once again broke Ajax’s hearts with two goals: 3-2.
Balance
The balance against Norwegian opponents in Europe is negative, with three victories, five draws and four losses. Thursday’s opponent is Bodø/Glimt, a team which will be added to the great list of Norwegian opponents in the history of Ajax.
