The artificial grass hurt and some teams rather dropped out earlier to look up the shade and a drink as quickly as possible. While other organizers in the region blew events or adjusting its schedule, on Saturday at the sports complex between the Leyen in Bavel, it was featured. Without major problems. But nobody could do it: also at the tournament for the NOAD Cup, a football tournament for mostly amateurs, the heat played a major role.
“Of course you keep an eye on it again so we have taken some measures. There are bins everywhere with water and sponges and we also hand out ice creams where necessary,” says organizer Thijs Kroezen. “We recommend drinking a lot of water, but we see that other drinks are also drunk to stay cool.”
“Only crazy people are here.”
It is clear that the players have not gained any experience in the heat of the Spanish or Brazilian football competition. “Unfortunately we lost in the quarterfinals, but that’s okay, because the heat was bad, now I can cool down.” Tells a player out along the line. “Unfortunately, I have to burn again, my feet burn from the artificial grass. Only crazy people are here, lovers we call it,” sighs a fellow sufferer in the other dug-out. While the last teams are fighting to call themselves the winner of this tournament, the benches and tables, in the shade, are full of disabled teams and their supporters. Drinking, in their own words, succeeds a lot better than playing football today.
“Players are eager, I think it’s club love.”
Despite the heat, the atmosphere is good on the fields of RKVV Jeka and there is also nothing to be said about the turnout. “We have 60 participating teams, we play 7 against 7, but most teams actually consist of around ten supporters. All in all there are a man or a thousand people here,” Kroezen explains. According to a number of supporters, that will be precisely, because this is a tournament especially for the supporters of Eredivisie club NAC Breda. “I think there were five hundred people here to play this morning to play those games,” said a sweaty football player. “I think it is club love, the solidarity, drink a beer together. We have been finding each other here for five years so that is nice. Whether it is 30 degrees or -10, NAC supporters always find each other.”
Former NAC striker Ralf Seuntjens also underlines the feeling that prevails during the tournament. “Being among NAC supporters feels a bit like coming home. They are all nice people, nice and common feeling.” And the striker is also very pleased with the organization. “I have to say that she really has a great time. Also how everything is kept. I have had many amateur tournaments, but this is the World Cup final under the amateur tournaments.”