Report: double celebration for water polo players ZV De Zaan: men and women win cup

While the men from De Zaan quietly warmed up for their match against Donk, the women took on Polar Bears from Ede. Supported by the many fans who traveled from Zaandam, the water polo players took an early lead with a goal from Loïs den Ouden.

The first two periods of the match were even, but in the third quarter the Zaankanters distanced themselves from the Eden team. Ultimately, Polar Bears came back to 10-12, but according to captain Lieke Rogge, that did not alter the fact that it was a ‘calm and controlled’ victory.

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Double hit

The men of ZV De Zaan initially had more difficulty with the opponent. On the hunt for the third cup win in a row, they came across GZC Donk from Gouda. At the beginning of the match, the Zaandamers were unable to find the goal. The opponent took a 0-2 lead in the second quarter, but then the Zaan engine started running.

De Zaan came back into the match with the help of Stan Meijn. After the 5-5, Andreas Miralis’ team took the lead for the first time. From that moment on, the Zaandammers easily walked away to a big victory: 11-7. “Today was the very first match that we went all the way,” said Meijn.

Three in a row

The victory means that the men of the water polo players from Zaandam win the cup for the third time in a row. “I am very proud of what my boys have already shown over the past three years,” said Miralis. “The way they give 100% in the water every day makes me proud.”

Meijn noted that the cup is somewhat larger than last year. “Last year’s was very small, I thought. So this cup certainly still fits in the trophy cabinet,” said Meijn before kissing the cup.