The decision game of the semi-final of the play-offs between Hovocubo and Tigers Roermond in sports hall De Opgang in Zwaag has been cancelled. After a fight between trainers and substitutes of both teams, the public also got involved. The referees decided not to continue playing. Hovocubo led 2-0 with 5.36 minutes left on the clock.
“It started with a riot at the players’ benches and that caused a stir,” says commentator Leo Giovannangelo, who reported on behalf of Hovocubo TV. “Then bottles were thrown into the room from the section with Limburg fans, after which the referees decided to stop the game.”
“Worthless”
In the ‘best of three’ in the semi-finals of the play-offs, both teams won once, after which a decision game had to determine who would go to the final. In De Opgang sports hall, Hovocubo led 2-0 thanks to hits from Karim Mossaoui and Hicham Aklalouch.
“This is worthless, of course,” says chairman Winfred Wester of Hovocubo disappointed. “You hope for a beautiful afternoon between two beautiful football teams and then this. I have not yet seen the images and want to keep out of it who is to blame, but I understand the decision of the referees.”
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“As far as I have seen, there has been no fighting,” Giovannagelo saw from the side. “It remained with some pushing and pulling, but that should not have a name. The police did appear outside the sports hall, but fortunately that went smoothly.”
“I’m recovering a bit now, but I’m really disappointed about this,” Wester continues his story. The chairman of the reigning national champion was looking forward to this decision match.
‘Football trend’
“First of all I am a sports enthusiast, but this seems to be a trend in football. It is now up to the KNVB,” says Wester.
At the time of striking, there were still 5.36 minutes on the clock. The winner of this diptych will compete against FC Eindhoven. The Brabant team defeated Lebo from Amsterdam in the other semi-final.
In the video below you can see the moment of striking at around 1 hour 39 minutes.
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