Handball player Youri Braker experienced his own fairytale on Saturday. In his first game at the highest level, he scored the winning goal for Drenth Groep Hurry-Up against Izegem.
The 19-year-old left corner player thus secured the 34-33 victory over the Belgians in the closing seconds in Zwartemeer. That happened in a BeNe-League match, which became unexpectedly exciting well into the second half. With only 25 seconds to go, promoted Izegem had leveled, after which Braker struck. The remaining time was too short for Izegem to do anything in return.
“I didn’t expect this anymore and I’m happy that I was able to score this goal,” said Braker, after celebrating the victory with his team, shouting and shouting. “I had missed from the same position before. So there was so much pressure on this last goal, but it worked. We dominated for a long time, but became sloppy in the end. We let them run too easily in coverage, which meant that Izegem often had someone free at the circle. We suddenly fell behind the times and it became even more difficult.”
Youri Braker was also a talented footballer
Thanks to the resident of Oosterhesselen, who, as a talented footballer, once rejected an invitation to the youth academy of FC Emmen, things turned out well for Hurry-Up. “This was the first time I participated here,” said Braker, who ultimately liked handball more than football. “Normally I play in the Premier League at E&O/Hurry-Up, but they only come into action on Sunday. That’s why I was able to participate here. It’s a busy schedule. But my weekend can’t go wrong anymore. I’m definitely going to celebrate this victory in the canteen soon. Even if I don’t make it too late; I have to get back to work tomorrow.”
The still winless Izegem seemed to be an easy prey for the young team of coach Sven Hemmes. Hurry-Up is having a good season so far with nine points from seven games. Good for fifth place. But the Zwartemeer residents could have known that the Belgians would be capable of more than their meager numbers suggested. For example, last weekend Izegem only lost by one goal to number two, Volendam.
Izegem showed that it can fight
For a long time, there seemed to be little going on for the Zwartemeer residents. Hurry-Up dominated the match and took a 14-10 lead. Izegem showed that they can fight and crept closer after missed opportunities by the home team. The visitors found the free man especially at the circle. The tall circle player Robin Samyn became the top scorer for the Belgians with eight goals.
After halftime (19-17), Izegem briefly leveled. Hurry-Up then seemed to have dealt the final blow at 29-21 after a strong period, in which director Emiel Hoogland intercepted a ball twice in succession and scored. But nothing turned out to be further from the truth: Izegem, which now played its best handball, came back to 33-33, after which Braker struck in extremis.
We hung our heads a bit
“We changed players and hung our heads a bit,” said center builder Hoogland about Hurry-Up’s sudden collapse. “We didn’t fight for the balls anymore. When we were way ahead we should have finished it. But we are a young team. Although you should never give away an eight-goal lead, no matter how young you are. This is a lesson for future matches. Overall, this win is well deserved.”
Hurry-Up-Izegem 34-33
Rest position: 19-17.
Spectators: 400.
Hurry Up Scores: Hoogland 7, Vermeer 6, Riksten 4, Braker 3, Gracio 3, Boonstra 3, Bos 3, Wennink 2, Meijer, Bijl and Jansen.
Top scorer Izegem: Robin Samyn 8.
Next game: Sittard, Sunday 4 p.m.: Lions-Hurry-Up.