The rugby players of RFC Haarlem played against DIOK for the national championship on Saturday. In a spectacular game, the North Hollanders eventually lost 35-33 in overtime. “What a bizarre match”, said RFC Haarlem captain Lucas de Waaij.
In the last minute of regular time, Haarlem equalized to make it 27-27. In the exciting extra time, Haarlem even took the lead, but in the end it was DIOK who extended the national title.
“This is only the beginning. Haarlem is now on the map and talking about us”, coach Mike Panoho commented afterwards. RFC Haarlem had a special season. The North Hollanders played their first season in the league of honor and immediately reached the final.
Tears after video
NH Sport accompanied the Haarlem team all day long. They met on Saturday morning in the clubhouse of Haarlem for a joint breakfast. Then the rugby players watched a motivational video. Relatives, who sometimes live on the other side of the world, wished the men luck towards the final. That brought tears to some of the selection.
Around 12:00 the men got on the bus to Amsterdam. The final was played in the National Rugby Center Amsterdam.