After two failed attempts, Velocitas 1897 finally took the title of the second division L. The old rival Be Quick 1887 was defeated 2-1 on the Esserberg.
In Assen at Achilles 1894 it did not work (2-2). And the championship was also not won at home against SV Bedum (1-3). With only two points left of the huge lead over runner-up Marum, the question was whether the nerves would be kept under control on the last day of play.
Viscous
Ultimately, that question can be answered with yes. But oh how difficult it was. Just like last week in the second half against Bedum, it was difficult for the leader. The game was viscous and the depth was sought too quickly with a high ball, so that the home team’s rear guard remained upright quite easily.
The first big chance was even for the already relegated Be Quick. Kay Dollenkamp was only allowed to approach goalkeeper Tuur de Vries from the right flank, but he turned the bet with his legs. After about half an hour of play, there was also a good opportunity for the guests. Rutger Hofsteenge’s shot, however, hit the post.
Unrest in game leader
The break seemed to break without goals, but just before the half-time signal, things went well for the leader. To everyone’s surprise, a curled cross from Hofsteenge after a short corner disappeared stiffly into the intersection: 0-1.
When Jesse Bosgraaf scored 0-2 shortly after the break, it seemed that the battle had been settled. Until twenty minutes before the end, Be Quick substitute Floris Diebels actually made the connection out of the blue. Immediately unrest crept into the game of the leader again. Be Quick was unable to take advantage and so the small win meant that Velocitas could finally celebrate the championship.
Fourth title in a row
It was already the fourth title in a row for the green-whites since the switch to Saturday in 2017. A unique achievement, coach Erik Wormmeester also realized. “I don’t think this would have happened very often. It was difficult again today and I have no idea why. At 0-2 we had the game in our hands, but after the goal a lot went wrong again. We are deserved champions, but we should quickly forget the last games.”
At Velocitas, the brothers Kelvin and Fabian de Vries leave together with Nick Elderman for neighbor PKC’83 and Rutger Hofsteenge will also not make the transition to the first division. Wormmeester isn’t worried yet. “We will think carefully about next season next week. Let’s finally enjoy the championship now.”
Be Quick 1887-Velocitas 1897:1-2
Scoring progression : 44. Hofsteenge 0-1, 55. Bosgraaf 0-2, 69. Diebels 1-2.
Yellow card : Van der Wal (Be Quick 1887).
Referee : Build.
Spectators : 250.
Be Quick 1887 : Kruize, Mick Dollenkamp, Pasveer, Nanninga, Van der Wal, Speulman, Kay Dollenkamp, Versteegen. Blaauw (60. Diebels), Doelkamid (60. Roofthooft), Liewes.
Velocitas 1897 : De Vries, Zijlstra, Elderman, Bos, Jochem de Vries, Kelvin de Vries, Hofsteenge (84. Prins), Pinas, Fabian de Vries, Bosgraaf, Steenbergen (84. El Jawashi).