The ZAP handball players are still waiting for their first victory in the premier league after ten matches. Yet there is no panic at all at the club from Breezand. “I don’t think it’s an ordeal. You have to enjoy everything that is presented to you and try to learn from it,” says optimistic trainer Stefan Baars.
“We did not become glorious champions in the first division last year. So we knew that this would be a hard season,” says player Tess de Vries. Against expectations, ZAP was promoted to the Premier League last summer.
The highest level in the Netherlands takes some getting used to for ZAP. The first nine matches in the competition were lost and the North Holland team also fell short against VZV last Saturday. In ‘t Veld it was 43-23 for the reigning national champion. “This is the difference between the top of the Netherlands and where we are now,” says Baars.
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Since this season, the competition format has changed in the Premier League. “Even if we are at the bottom after 26 games, you still have a chance against number 11. If you win that match, you are actually safe. If you lose, you still have a chance. There are quite a lot of chances to stay in it,” Baars looks ahead.
NH Sport was present at the match on Saturday and made the video report above.