The only player on the field, who was not yet eligible to vote on Wednesday, became the deciding factor in Germanicus’ win. ZZVV only got past the excellent Loyd Kuiper once.
Loyd Kuiper (17) from De Krim switched from FC Emmen to Germanicus last summer: “I spent the entire youth training there and was allowed to stay. I hesitated for a while and when I decided I wanted to stay, I didn’t have to anymore. Well, Germanicus is a warm club and I’m having a good time.”
ZZVV plays in the eastern second division on Saturday and is doing excellently. It ranks third and above renowned clubs such as DOS Kampen, WVF and Nunspeet. Germanicus plays at the same level and is the leader, but on Sunday, with Bon Boys and De Tukkers as main competitors. A season and a half ago there were still two classes between the two clubs.
Change earlier than usual
Trainer Hans Slender of ZZVV takes the cup match against Germanicus seriously: “Certainly, as you progress a little further, it becomes more interesting. We don’t spare people, but I will change earlier than usual. Another important game on Saturday.” Leader Jans Rutgers of Germanicus: “We are keeping a few men on the side, including Roelof van Dijk, but we would like to win!” Last Sunday, Germanicus lost points for the first time. Dalen returned from Coevorden with a draw.
In the first half hour, little happened at the beautiful sports park in Zuidwolde, where the public interest was certainly not disappointing. Both teams were unable to convert their solid build-up into opportunities. ZZVV played a little easier football before half time, but the men from Coevorden took the lead. Robin Barels skilfully cut through ZZVV’s defense and then it was a breeze for Nance Hoogeveen to open the score (0-1).
Flair from a celebrity
Germanicus occasionally took a lot of risks through captain Devon Smit and Erwin Modderjongen, but it always ended well. Shortly after the opening goal, Kain Hoogeveen scored for the 0-2. He did it all himself with the flair of a star; a reward for his good play. Goalkeeper Sjors van der Weide did not look strong with this goal.
Only in the last minutes of the first act did ZZVV become dangerous. First, Nick Vredenborg barely found the ball catcher in a free position. Jovanni van Dijk, who has scored no fewer than 76 goals in the past two seasons, showed his class, but his header ended up against the post.
A few extra pounds
Halfway through, there was little hope among the ZZVV supporters for a continuation in the cup tournament. ZZVV brought on Paul Bos at the start of the second half: “He cannot possibly play three times in eight days,” linesman Ten Hoopen joked. Bos may have carried a few extra pounds, but he did bring new impetus. Van Dijk – noticeably left free – blasted a corner from Vredenborg behind the hopeless Kuiper (1-2).
Kain Hoogeveen continued to be a nuisance for ZZVV and Smit’s header was cleared off the goal line. The best save of the attractive match could be admired on the other side. Kuiper beautifully tapped a flying shot from Stefan Dijkstra from the intersection, while the home club’s audience cheered.
ZZVV became more and more in a hurry, but there were no real opportunities anymore. Germanicus played the match in a routine manner. “Insanely good, that goalkeeper,” said ZZVV coach Slender with praise. Willy Nijland, who served the coffee and drinks afterwards in the boardroom, hoped that the board members and referee would hurry up: “I also find those election nights on television so exciting.”
ZZVV- Germanicus 1-2
Referee: IJkema
Yellow: Van der Boonen (ZZVV)
Spectators: 200
Score progression: 30. Nance Hoogeveen 0-1, 42. Kain Hoogeveen 52. Van Dijk 1-2.
ZZVV: Van der Weide; Van der Boonen, Dijkstra, Bosscher (46. Bos), Van Veen, Vredenborg (68 Vlasveld), Marinus, Tinholt (68. Cazemier), Pol (84. Zuidema), Van Dijk, Adema.
Germanicus: Cooper; Barels, Smit, Van der Wetering, Erwin Modderjongen, Kain Hoogeveen, Nance Hoogeveen, Rotmensen, Pol, Meijerink (82. Kortstam), Tsatsajeva.