This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl
Football pundits have been observing the Eredivisie players' performances during the 2007/08 season and the winners of the annual award, presented by the Dutch daily De Telegraaf, met at hotel Résidence in Vinkeveen in Heerenveen on Monday night.
Ajax defender John Heitinga, who has meanwhile completed a deal with the Spanish side Atlético Madrid, won the first prize in the list of overall rankings, while Heurelho da Silva Gomes and Danijel Pranjic were both awarded the silver boot. Dick Jol has been named referee of the year. The three winners had plenty of things to talk about during their animated conversations.
Gomes could not stop laughing, when the Ajax defender attempted to speak a few words of Spanish. 'I can't make head or tails of it', screamed the Brazilian with laughter. The two players have a lot of respect for each other, although there is a healthy competition between ruling champions PSV and Ajax. They talked about this season's final chapter and discussed each others' displays during the 2007/08 campaign. Heitinga paid tribute to Gomes for playing a major role in PSV's successful efforts to win their fourth consecutive Eredivisie title. The Brazilian stopper, on his part, praised Heitinga for his commanding performances and wished him the best of luck in the Spanish league. Photographer Hans van Tilburg has taken these exclusive pictures.