FC Groningen and FC Emmen know where they stand next season. Football association KNVB announced the competition schedule (draft) for the first division on Wednesday. The first Hondsrugderby is scheduled for October.
Both demoted, both chasing rehabilitation. It is clear that FC Groningen and FC Emmen want to return to the premier league as soon as possible after an extremely disappointing season. Rather today than tomorrow, it logically sounds at the offices at both ends of the Hondsrug. It is also clear that it seems to be a hell of a job in advance. Competition is fierce with clubs such as SC Cambuur, Willem II, ADO Den Haag, NAC Breda, Roda JC, De Graafschap, FC Eindhoven and VVV Venlo.
First 10 duels FC Groningen
1. Friday, August 11, 2023: FC Groningen – Young Ajax (20:00)
2. Monday, August 21, 2023: Jong FC Utrecht – FC Groningen (20:00)
3. Sunday, August 27, 2023: FC Groningen – Willem II (14:30)
4. Friday, September 1, 2023: TOP Oss – FC Groningen (20:00)
5. Friday, September 15, 2023: FC Groningen – ADO The Hague (20:00)
6. Monday, September 18, 2023: FC Groningen – Jong PSV (20:00)
7. Friday, September 22, 2023: Helmond Sport – FC Groningen (20:00)
8. Friday, September 29, 2023: FC Groningen – FC Den Bosch (20:00)
9. Friday, October 6, 2023: NAC Breda – FC Groningen (20:00)
10. Friday, October 20, 2023 De Graafschap – FC Groningen (20:00)
Wet chest
From the (draft) competition schedule published by the KNVB on Wednesday morning, which may therefore still be subject to changes in the run-up to the season, it appears that FC Emmen can make a big splash right from the first round. On August 11, a meeting is scheduled in Leeuwarden with that other relegated player, SC Cambuur. On that same day, FC Groningen will receive the ever unpredictable talents of Jong Ajax in Euroborg.
In total, FC Groningen will play 26 matches on Friday, one on Saturday, five on Sunday and six on Monday next season. FC Emmen plays 30 matches on Friday, one on Saturday, two on Sunday and five on Monday evening. Occasionally it will be different, but what is striking is that the Drenths generally play out when the Groningen team has a home game and vice versa. This is partly due to the pressure on supporting parties such as the police and medical services.
First 10 duels FC Emmen
1. Friday, August 11, 2023: SC Cambuur – FC Emmen (20:00)
2. Friday, August 18, 2023: FC Emmen – VVV-Venlo (20:00)
3. Friday, August 25, 2023 De Graafschap – FC Emmen (20:00)
4. Friday, September 1, 2023: FC Emmen – FC Dordrecht (20:00)
5. Friday, September 15, 2023: Young Ajax – FC Emmen (20:00)
6. Monday, September 18, 2023: FC Emmen Jong – FC Utrecht (20:00)
7. Friday, September 22, 2023: NAC Breda – FC Emmen (20:00)
8. Friday 29 September 2023: TOP Oss – FC Emmen (20:00)
9. Friday 6 October 2023: FC Emmen – Telstar (20:00)
10. Friday, October 20, 2023: FC Emmen – ADO The Hague (20:00)
Dog Rugby Derby
The fact that both FC’s will also play at the same level next year means that the Hondsrugderby is again on the program. The first of the two meetings between FC Groningen and FC Emmen will take place on Monday, October 23 at 8 p.m. in Groningen. Less than three months later, the second game is scheduled, because on Friday evening, January 19, FC Groningen, the team of former coach Dick Lukkien, will visit De Oude Meerdijk (also at 8 p.m.).
These are competitions for which the clubs have to cover relatively few kilometers. For the other matches, the buses of FC Groningen and FC Emmen almost invariably set course for the South, where most first division clubs are located. It is therefore not surprising that FC Groningen will have to travel the most of all second-level clubs with approximately 8400 kilometers next season. FC Emmen (7780) and SC Cambuur (7777) follow at an appropriate distance.
Tricky puzzle
According to Jan Bluyssen, manager of professional football competition matters, it is becoming increasingly difficult to establish a solid schedule with all the wishes of those involved. “If we have to deal with the same obstacles and obstacles for the 2024-2025 season as for this season, it will not be possible to make a competition program. The puzzle gets more and more difficult. With a lot of trial and error, we succeeded this year. We thank everyone who showed their flexibility at crucial moments.”
The full (draft) competition schedule can be viewed via this link .