In the 2017/18 season, NH Sport closely followed the talents of Jong AZ. Reporter Thomas Brood was particularly struck by the silence in the locker room. “They were of course very young guys, so you mainly heard trainers Martin Haar and Denny Landzaat. Only Nick Olij was an exception,” says Brood.
Fragment from the documentary “At the end are the flowers” – NH News
Jong AZ is in its first season in professional football in 2017. Under the leadership of Haar and Landzaat, the talents were prepared for a further career in professional football.
“We are letting each other down. This is not possible. We have conceded 41 goals in 19 games”
The start in that first season in the first division was difficult. More is lost than won and Olij also does not keep well. The low point that season was the 7-2 defeat at home against NEC. For the first time in months, a player opens his mouth. “7-2 at home. Do we realize this, boys? We are letting each other down. This is not possible! We have conceded 41 goals in 19 games,” a visibly frustrated Olij shouts in the dressing room afterwards.
Years later, Olij plays for Sparta and is in the selection of the Dutch national team for the first time. It seems that the Haarlemmer will not be on goal against France on Friday. National coach has cautiously hinted that Bart Verbruggen will start.
“Six years ago I never expected that Olij would make the Dutch national team”
From AC Milan to Stormvogels
“That season I really enjoyed the freedom I was given. I was able to be everywhere with the camera and also capture this moment in the dressing room. I now also follow the boys who were in that team with extra interest. Six years ago I never expected that Olij would make the Dutch national team,” says Brood.
The players of the Jong AZ selection have gone in all directions. The most striking development is by Tijjani Reijnders. The midfielder now plays for AC Milan. Jamie Jacobs plays in Denmark for Viborg FF and Mees Hoedemakers for NEC. However, a number of boys did not make it to professional football. For example, Melle Springer now plays for the amateurs of Stormvogels and Yoeri Church for HHC Hardenberg.