As if it was just September 28, 1983 again. With every goal there was deafening applause on Thursday evening in Huize Maas in Groningen, where the heroes of the FC Groningen-Atlético Madrid match were reunited.
Ron Jans 1-0. Erwin Koeman 2-0. Jan van Dijk 3-0. Nearly four hundred supporters intensely relived the match against Atlético Madrid with a large part of the selection from back then. Like initiator Rob McDonald , the scorer of the first European goal in the history of the Pride of the North. The now 65-year-old Englishman scored the historic goal during the first leg on September 14 in Estadio Vincente Calderón (2-1).
“We had a very close group at the time,” says McDonald, who really enjoyed seeing his former teammates again. “No arguments among ourselves, very friendly, but tough when we had to play football. We played 4-3-3 with a lot of pressure, even when we had to play against Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord. That didn’t matter. With some experienced boys, the current FC Groningen could also achieve results.”
That was also the opinion Jan van Dijk (67) agreed. “I would like to compliment Dick Lukkien,” says Mister FC Groningen. “He has put together a team that radiates enthusiasm and is very well put together. From a sporting point of view, it wouldn’t be that bad to wait another year for promotion, so that a group is created that can reach European football in the following years and play against Atlético Madrid again.”
Old argument
There were not only former players from the past at the reunion, with the presenters Jacques d’Ancona (86) and Evert ten Napel (79) were also the chef d’équipe who arranged the entire trip at the time and the NOS commentator of the time. McDonald settled an old argument with Ten Napel, who claimed in 1983 that the striker scored the goal with his ‘weak’ left leg. “I didn’t have a weak leg,” McDonald said.
There was also a delegation on behalf of the former president Renze de Vries present. The widow of the former chairman recorded a video message from the nursing home where the strong lady is recovering from a broken back after a fall. “Renze de Vries and FC Groningen were one, he enjoyed it immensely,” said the 92-year-old. Her grandson Renze junior was in the audience. “Even though I wasn’t there at the time, I can still dream about the match, grandpa told me so often, especially in his dying days when he could only talk about the past,” he says.
The former coaches Theo Desire (82) and the resident in Australia Han Berger spoke to their men again through the screen. Former players as defenders Karel Hiddink (67), right back Ronald Steenge (60), defender Henk de Haan (61), midfielder Jos Roossien (63), left back Anne Mulder (66), striker Jan de Jonge (60), but also former assistant coach Paul Zweverink, club doctor Peter Hut and caregiver Henk Hagenauw listened attentively.
Erwin Koeman
Also current assistant national coach Erwin Koeman (62) made an appearance. As a ‘ten’, the attacking midfielder was responsible for goals and assists at the time. Koeman also praised the team performance of that time. “You couldn’t go wrong with guys like that.” He also made the bridge to the current FC Groningen. Koeman is closely following developments. “I see a nice group of young boys who have the attitude that belongs to FC Groningen. You have to play according to the DNA of the club. We did that too and it is happening again now. There is still a lot to be done, but they are on the right track.”