HANDBALL – These are the numbers four and five of the handball premier league: E&O from Emmen against HV Unitas from Rolde. The brand new Premier League debutant Unitas is doing very well. With twelve points, the team is in fourth place, with an equal number of points as leader Arnhem. E&O follows in fifth place with eleven points.
For the first time in history, both Drenthe teams will meet each other at competition level. Reason enough to look ahead with both trainers.
What kind of match can we expect?
Jan Gerald Mulder trainer of E&O:
“Every match is important, but this one has a bit more prestige, a bit more excitement. Besides the fact that they are two Drenthe teams, we are also close to each other in the rankings. Still, I see it as a match like any other. We know each other well, the boys also know each other. It will be evenly matched, because the selections are quite evenly matched. The ranking also shows that.”
Henk Smeenge trainer of Unitas:
“Of course we meet each other more often, but then in the cup or in practice matches, which is very different. I expect some tension on Saturday, also among the players. So it is a real derby: fun, exciting, a lot of competition. And as it should be with a derby: probably not always the most beautiful handball, but a spectacle.”
How important is this competition?
“I actually think all matches are important. And this one is no exception. We want to be at the top and for us the most important thing is the play-offs at the end of the season. We will do everything we can to win this match. We want to win everything and this one too.”
“I am sometimes amazed at how well we are doing. Our goal is to finish in the top eight, but now that things are going so well, we naturally want to continue that trend. Despite the score, I think E&O is the favorite tonight: they are playing at home and say they want to become champions. But we are going for it.”
Does this feel different from a ‘normal’ match?
“Yes, that is the case. Even though it is a ‘normal’ competition match, you feel that there is something extra going on. The sports hall will soon be full, they will also bring a lot of spectators. It is really alive. All the ingredients are there for a great handball evening.”
“There is a lot of experience, I notice that among the boys. There is a lot of audience, which is always fun. Of course there will be some tension, but the pressure is on E&O, as far as I am concerned. For us, it is bonus points if we win. We want to show what we can do and we are just committed to creating an unforgettable handball evening in any case.”
The match will be extra special for the Pronk family. Brothers Wouter (E&O) and Casper (Unitas) will face each other for the first time on Saturday. Wouter plays as a circle player, Casper as a defensive force in the middle block, making a confrontation between the two seem inevitable.
The match starts on Saturday evening at 8.45 pm in Sporthal Angelslo in Emmen. An extensive summary can be seen on Sunday at 5 p.m. on TV Drenthe.