AJAX--On Saturday, March 17, the virtual Ajax Amsterdam stadium in the Ajax sim will open to the public and broadcast real soccer action in the Netherlands.

The stadium, created by SL residents Caliandris Pendragon and Oclee Hornet of Nemesis Content Creation is an exact replica, complete with skyboxes in which visitors can sit and watch clips of previous Ajax soccer matches.

Sunday, March 18 is the highlight of the opening, when two of the best Dutch teams, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven play against each other in Eindhoven at 6 :30 a.m. SL time. That match will be streamed live at the virtual stadium.

PSV (Philips Sports Union) Eindhoven, and Ajax are two top football the Eresdivisie, Holland's premiere soccer league. The matches are broadcast by Dutch TV station Tele2.

Jetje Jibilla, (Henriette Goor in real life), works in the Internet division of Dutch communications giant KPN and spearheaded the effort to bring live matches to Second Life.

"Planet.nl (which sponsors live clips at http://www.ajaxinternettv.nl/ ) is becoming a real media brand and because KPN is connected to Ajax and Amsterdam Arena, and because we have the internet rights to broadcast live soccer games, we thought of this concept," Jibilla said. "We asked Ajax and Amsterdam Arena to cooperate and they did. They are very enthusiastic."

Jibilla said up to 80 people could fit on the sim to watch the match, which in real life is taking place not at Ajax, but at Philips Stadion Eindhoven, Netherlands. It is a free exhibition match open to the general public. PSV Eindhoven is the favored team in the UEFA Champions league quarterfinals against Liverpoolwhich will be played April 3. Ajax did not make the Champions league (formerly called the European Cup) this year.

Pendragon says the stadium's strength is the shared experience that Ajax fans feel when watching a soccer match together. "The beauty of it is companionship."
Pendragon says Nemesis was chosen to create the build after KPN went down the list of developers on the Second Life Web site.

"Then Oclee says that it was his charm and masterful pitching that got the job, " she said.
Hornet is from the Netherlands.

The opening will be a milestone because Ajax celebrates its 107th birthday Saturday.
Outside the virtual stadium, Ajax fans can visit the concession stands and buy the Ajax team uniform, or an Ajax ring or bracelet. After the game, visitors can head to the nearby Planet Bar to dance.

The real Ajax Amsterdam stadium also hosts concerts, and this summer Justin Timberlake, Genesis and the Police will all pass through the stadium on their world tours.