After four days of training, FC Groningen clearly had to take a shot against VV Annen. The pros did not get further than 0-2 on Wednesday evening. Nevertheless, the curiosity among the supporters was great.
Until the end of Wednesday afternoon, it was still a tight squeeze for the organization in Annen whether the squatter against FC Groningen could continue. Around four o’clock the Northern Netherlands had also had the worst of storm Poly and the lights could turn green at the local second division team.
It turned out to be the right choice, as witnessed by the more than 2000 spectators who came to the match. Except for a few drops in the first half, it remained dry above the beautiful sports park De Hofakkers, where an entire army of volunteers from the village ensured perfect conditions.
Main dish
Of course, in the end it was all about the main course. Where Annen coach Jouke Jan Meertens instructed his men to sell the skin as dearly as possible against the pros, FC Groningen coach Dick Lukkien seized the first practice game of the preparation to let his selection gain rhythm. For that reason, everyone on the FC Groningen side got exactly 45 minutes of playing time, except for goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus who came over from De Graafschap. He was allowed to stay under the bar for the entire match.
Along the line, the curiosity about the new faces at FC Groningen was particularly great. Kevin van Veen’s name in particular was buzzing around. In his presentation, the striker claimed to assume that he is good for at least thirty goals in the first division this season. The spectators in Annen wanted to see that. After Daleho Irandust’s beautiful opening goal, the goal thief, who shot 29 in Scotland last season, scored one, but that was it for the time being.
Marco Rent
Another newcomer who came in the first half was Marco Rente. The 26-year-old German defender, who incidentally speaks excellent Dutch, formed a couple with Radinio Balker in the heart of the defense. Interest came over this summer from the promoted Heracles Almelo. A remarkable transition, from a champion to the relegated FC Groningen.
,,I understand that many people do not understand that I have made this choice, but I have experienced a few things in the field of transfers”, says Rente. The footballer from Siegen would make a dream transfer to Coventry City last year. Everything was in cans and jugs. However, the transfer to England was canceled at the very last minute because a formality (EU rules in combination with Brexit) was not in order. It bewildered Rente. Disillusioned, he returned to the Netherlands, where he picked up the thread again at Heracles, who had just been relegated.
The good feeling
,,That affair means that I have now more quickly chosen to be safe than sorry”, he explains. ,,I started a conversation with FC Groningen immediately after the end of the season and I got a very positive feeling from the conversations with trainer Dick Lukkien and director Wouter Gudde. Then I said to myself: why not listen to that good feeling? FC Groningen is a big and great club. I really wanted to wear that shirt.”
It was the first time in Annen. Interest was confirmed in his choice in recent days. So far he likes it very well in the North. He also had an explanation for the meager score against Annen – it remained at 0-2. “Training is tough. Apart from that, I have a really good impression of our team, the staff, everyone. I am very happy that I settled in Groningen. It really is a new beginning. The atmosphere is good. It’s up to us to bring back the positivity, on the pitch and towards the fans. I hope to be able to be important in that.”
Funda
Only finding a house in Groningen turns out to be a really difficult task for Rente. He is looking for something for his young family and dachshund Balou. “I have looked at many houses and searched a lot on Funda, but we have not yet found anything suitable. I would prefer to buy a house in a place where I can also distance myself from football a bit. I need that after training and competitions. Then I really want to be home.”
The practice campaign of FC Groningen continues on Sunday. Then the match against Onstwedder Boys is scheduled at 3 p.m. in Onstwedde.
Vv Annen-FC Groningen: 0-2
Scoring progression: 16. Irandust 0-1, 20. Van Veen 0-2.
Selection vv Annen: Boer, De Wals, Kranenborg, Weiss, Ploeg, Hegge, Nijborg, Mulder, Speelman, Bodewes, Mulder, Dijkstra, Tiersma, Lex Veltink, Pim Veltink, Kruize, Knol, Boersma.
FC Groningen, first half: Jurjus; Beukers, Rente, Balker and Peersman; Schreuders and Oratmangoen; Irandust, Kruger and Slor; Van Veen.
FC Groningen, second half: Jurjus; Van Gelderen, Blokzijl, Musampa and Määttä; Pelupessy and Valente; Turay, Van Bergen and De Jonge; Postema.