Friday, May 10, 2024 at 9:57 PM
FC Groningen has been promoted to the Eredivisie. The Pride of the North defeated competitor Roda JC in a direct match in Euroborg 2-0. At halftime, the FC led 1-0 thanks to a goal by Johan Hove. After the break, Jorg Schreuders scored in a phenomenally atmospheric green-white stadium. With the win, coach Dick Lukkien’s team climbed over the Limburgers on the last matchday and finished in second place in the KKD with 75 points.
Euroborg was bursting at the seams with 22,391 supporters inside the gates of the Green Cathedral. While the green and white had taken over the city all day, the colors came together before kick-off in a beautiful atmospheric campaign carried out over the entire stadium and designed by the Noordtribune Groningen.
FC Groningen played well in the first half, had the ball frequently and was supported by the crowd that never kept quiet for a moment. Thom van Bergen had two opportunities within 10 minutes of play, but shot over and fell just short on Laros Duarte’s shot wide. Captain Leandro Bacuna tested goalkeeper Calvin Raatsie after 18 minutes of play and Luciano Valente saw a shot towards goal blocked.
Top scorer Romano Postema shot on the outside of the post halfway through the first half. The FC shot towards Raatsie’s goal no fewer than ten times, seven of which between the posts. Roda JC had no bet on Hidde Jurjus’ goal.
FC Groningen rewarded itself just before half time. Van Bergen set up an attack and when it seemed to fail, the attacker continued excellently. The striker received the ball at the side of the field via Bacuna and his tight cross was headed in at the near post by Johan Hove. As a result, the Pride of the North went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, the FC literally had the fanatical support of the North Stand at its back, although all four stands contributed in terms of atmosphere on Friday evening. Coach Dick Lukkien’s team continued where it left off in the first half. Once again, FC Groningen managed to put pressure on the opponent everywhere on the field. It resulted in possession high up on the pitch. After a combination between Van Bergen and Postema, the former was unable to print, but it was easy for Jorg Schreuders to get the ball into the empty goal. FC Groningen doubled their lead after 50 minutes of play, 2-0.
The goal caused a hurricane of joy, inside the lines and in the stands. The whole of Euroborg stood up for FC Groningen. Although the FC left the ball to the opponent more in the second half than before half time, it remained dangerous. After more than an hour of play, Van Bergen shot narrowly wide into the side netting. Opponent Roda shot between the posts a few times in the second half, but Jurjus never got into trouble.
In the final phase of the match, Bacuna curled the ball onto the crossbar from a great distance and fell to the ground. Roda also continued to fight for its chance, forcing Marco Rente off the line with two minutes to go. The score remained 2-0, meaning the FC returned to the highest level after one season in the Kitchen Champion Division.
