Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 2:14 PM
FC Groningen drew against AZ in Euroborg on Sunday afternoon. There was a lot of fighting, but neither team scored. FC Groningen played in the 050 kit based on the story of Gronings Ontzet.
The City of Groningen celebrates the Groningen Relief next Wednesday on August 28th, in which Bommen Berend was defeated by the Groningen troops in 1672 and the city held out. The outfit was worn by the players and by many of the 21,981 supporters in the stands.
FC Groningen and AZ both had a perfect score from the previous two matches at the start of the match. In fact, they were the two teams that were ahead the longest (FC Groningen 161 minutes, AZ 160 minutes). However, neither the Pride of the North nor the guests from Alkmaar managed to take the lead in the match between them.
FC Groningen had a bit more possession in the first fifteen minutes of the match, but they were unable to create any scoring opportunities. It wasn’t a lack of fight on the field in the special 050 kit or passion in the stands. Once again, Euroborg was fully behind the team.
AZ took the initiative in possession of the ball after the first fifteen minutes and put pressure on the FC defence. The latter, just like in 1672 before the break, held up excellently. There were no major chances for the visitors either. Sven Mijnans came closest after half an hour of play, but the midfielder could not extend a dangerous inward cross.
The visitors did get a chance right after the break, and goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen had to take action. Ruben van Bommel was able to shoot from about 12 meters right in front of the goal, but Vaessen stood at his post. The signal for Euroborg to once again stand guard en masse behind the men.
It resulted in a phase in which FC Groningen tried to break down the Alkmaarders’ defence through combination football. Striker Romano Postema got the first real big chance for the Pride of the North ten minutes after the break. However, he was stopped by the advancing goalkeeper on a pass from Thom van Bergen.
The battle remained evenly matched, also in the second half of the match. FC Groningen fought for every meter and engaged in duels all over the field. Postema and Finn Stam went to the sidelines, exhausted, fifteen minutes before the end. Thijs Oosting and Wouter Prins were their replacements.
AZ was threatening in the final phase of the match, but FC kept the ranks closed excellently, did not capitulate and lurked for the counterattack where possible. All led by a very noisy North Stand. The counter chance came in the last minute of injury time, but could not be played out optimally, partly due to fatigue.
The score remained 0-0 in Euroborg. Next Saturday, FC will play away at Almere City, kick-off is at 16:30. After the international break, Feyenoord will visit Groningen. That match will be played on Saturday 14 September at 18:45. Season ticket and club card holders can purchase a maximum of 1 ticket (extra) for this match via
