Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 8:56 PM
FC Groningen drew the practice match against Norwegian Viking FK on Thursday evening. After 90 minutes of football, the scoreboard showed the same score as at the start of the match: 0-0. Striker Alex Mortensen made his return to the main squad in this practice match after a long rehabilitation.
Although a storm was predicted, FC Groningen and Viking played in Euroborg under excellent conditions. At FC Groningen, Marvin Peersman returned to the starting line-up. Former FC player Hampus Finndell kicked off with Viking’s guests.
The first half in Euroborg went smoothly. It provided opportunities for both goals, although the biggest chance was for the Norwegians. Midway through the first half, Viking shot a ball onto the crossbar behind goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus.
The Pride of the North’s biggest opportunity was for Rui Mendes. Midfielder Luciano Valente looked for a way forward after 37 minutes of play, eliminated several opponents with a solo and passed the ball to the Portuguese. The attacker shot quickly, but was blocked at the last moment. A few minutes later, Norwegian Johan Hove shot a ball hard from a corner in search of a teammate’s outstretched leg. However, it was not possible to effectively change the direction of the ball.
After the break, David van der Werff made his entrance in Euroborg. The attacker plays for FC Groningen under-21 and was with the main squad in Euroborg for the first time. In the first fifteen minutes after the break, not much happened for either goal and the teams kept each other in balance.
After an hour of play, Noam Emeran, Maxim Mariani, Marco Speelman, Stije Resink and Alex Mortensen came on. A special moment for the latter, because after his long rehabilitation, the young Swede made his return to the main squad. Not long after his arrival on the field, Mortensen rushed past his opponent with the ball at his feet and pulled the ball back. However, none of the attackers could run into the cross. Later the striker had another chance to head the ball. Mortensen headed wide from a difficult position.
Nils Eggens was also allowed to come on in the final phase and brought the necessary energy to the team. That energy rubbed off on the audience present. In the final minutes, FC Groningen looked for that one goal to win the practice match. Unfortunately, that one goal did not come and the score remained 0-0 in Euroborg.
The competition will not be played next weekend due to international football. FC Utrecht will visit Euroborg on Sunday, October 20. That match starts at 2:30 PM. Tickets are only available in Sportsbar Club 1971 or via the Ticket Market:
FC Groningen line-up: Jurjus, Stam (60′ Mariani), Rente (46′ Blokzijl), Peersman, Prins (60′ Speelman), Pelupessy, Valente (60′ Resink), Mendes (60′ Emeran), Hove (46′ Van der Werff), Oosting (82′ Eggens), Postema (60′ Mortensen).
