The month of January has come to an end. High time to get our reporters together. Like every month, they give their opinion on the most important sports events of the past few weeks in the NH Sportforum.
Telstar bet the line up?
Telstar had a good month. They lost 2-1 against FC Volendam, but then Telstar won against MVV (2-1) and Jong Ajax (1-0). Last Sunday the Velsenaren played 0-0 at Almere City FC. In the KNVB Cup, Telstar lost 2-1 to PSV, but they played a great game.
“I’m a bit more positive about Telstar than last time”
“Completely in view of the many injuries, they have had a great month,” said reporter Thomas Brood. In February, a difficult program awaits the footballers with matches against De Graafschap, Helmond Sport, NAC and ADO Den Haag. “I think they’re going to take four points. I’m a bit more positive about Telstar than the last time“, is the expectation of presenter Stef Swagers.
Flash transfer Denso Kasius to Bologna
Denso Kasius made a last minute dream transfer to Bologna. The right back of FC Utrecht was rented out to FC Volendam, but the team of trainer Wim Jonk has lost Kasius immediately. Kasius has signed for 4.5 years and the transfer fee is above three million euros.
“Has FC Volendam done its job in the negotiations with FC Utrecht?”
FC Volendam only receives ‘compensation’. Technical director Jasper van Leeuwen does not mention any amounts, but does say that one should not propose too much. In any case, less than a hundred thousand euros. “If you then receive a small compensation, I wonder whether FC Volendam has done its job in the negotiations with FC Utrecht,” says reporter Stephan Brandhorst.
Sports chief Edward Dekker is surprised that a rented player can just be sold and that there is a small compensation for the tenant. “Then you as a tenant are always on the bad side of the coin.” When asked, Van Leeuwen stated that these agreements had been made, because it involved a relatively long rental period of one and a half years.
“He says it’s a boyhood dream. I’m missing one word. I think it’s a financial boyhood dream.”
Without having played one minute in the Eredivisie, Kasius will therefore start at the highest level in Italy. In the sports department, the reporters wonder if he will make minutes. “I understand, but I think it’s a shame,” says Dekker. “He says it is a boyhood dream. I am missing one word. I think it is a financial boyhood dream,” laughs Brood.
Ajax champion and arrival Ihattaren
Ajax beat PSV 2-1 last week and dealt a hard blow in the championship race. “I don’t see it as a sledgehammer. The race is not over yet”, Swagers looks ahead to the rest of the season. Brood also thinks that the Eredivisie has not yet been decided. After the win, Ajax is first, but PSV is only two points behind.
“Ajax takes a business gamble by contracting Ihattaren”
Ajax signed Mo Ihattaren last weekend. The fallen PSV talent went to Juventus last summer and was loaned out to Sampdoria. There things went awry and Ihattaren returned to the Netherlands. “Suppose it doesn’t work out, then they can write off two million. That’s not much for Ajax. If they do manage to get him fit again, they can sell him for ten million euros,” Brood is of the opinion. “A business gamble,” adds Dekker.
Great series AZ
AZ seems to have got the hang of it and has climbed quite a bit in the Eredivisie after the bad start. The Alkmaarders are now fifth with two points behind number four FC Twente.
“AZ is working on a strong series. They can even compete for third place”
“I did not expect it, but a fourth place is certainly possible. The position in the ranking does not lie,” says Brood. Brandhorst goes a step further. “AZ is working on a strong series. They can even compete for third place.”
European Futsal Championship in the Netherlands
The Dutch futsal team failed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the European Championship in its own country. In the all-deciding game, Serbia lost 3-2. The Netherlands wanted to put futsal on the map. Swagers doubts whether that has worked. “I have not been captivated for 40 minutes.” Brandhorst is also critical. “I think the goal is just too small. You can park the bus very easily and nobody will get through.”
ice skating riot
In the run-up to the Games, Irene Schouten’s skating team is followed in a documentary. The viewer sees that Schouten is not too positive about Ireen Wüst. Schouten and Wüst come into action together in the team pursuit section, so that seems to put a bomb in the run-up to the Games.
“The rows are now closed because the Games are about to start. I doubt all the old sore has been brushed away”
According to those involved, the cold was taken out of the air after the documentary was broadcast. “I wonder if the riot has been calmed down. The rows are now closed because the Games are about to start. I doubt whether all the old stuff has been brushed away,” Dekker believes. “You always have different characters in a team. In this team you have two leaders and that clash”, Brandhorst notes.
Corona
Quite a few sports competitions have been canceled in recent weeks due to too many corona cases. For example, the entire round of play in the women’s basketball competition was canceled last weekend. The virus also disrupts competitions in korfball, handball and various other sports.
Nevertheless, the measures in the Netherlands have been relaxed and the public is allowed to attend the competitions. “I hold my breath. You always have a hard core that gets together and doesn’t care about the rules. Football tells itself that the stadiums are only one third full, but I don’t think you can prevent this ” concludes Brood.
Listen to the next NH Sportforum on NH Radio on Sunday 27 February!
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