Get ready for some exciting football! FC Groningen kicks off the Eredivisie season this Friday night, and the excitement is palpable. After a successful preseason where they didn’t lose a single friendly match, the team is eager to take on NAC Breda at home. As Coach Dick Lukkien puts it, “We are curious to see how we measure up against the rest of the league.”
A Season of New Dreams and Memories
Lukkien is pleased with how the team has prepared for the upcoming season. “We were able to step up our game,” he explains. “The new players have been eager to learn and fit right in with our style. We have new goals and are looking to create new memories. We want our supporters to be excited to come to the stadium. When we play with passion, we create a fantastic connection with our fans.”
Facing the Unknown
How good is FC Groningen? That’s the “million-dollar question,” according to Lukkien. “I don’t have enough insight to answer that yet,” he admits. “How good are our opponents? Of course, I followed the league last season. Things have changed. Teams have signed new players and had to let some go. It takes time to get a clear understanding of that. We’ll see how it all unfolds.”
A Few Notable Absences
Unfortunately, Thijmen Blokzijl and Romano Postema will miss the opening game due to injuries. Wouter Prins is also likely to be sidelined due to illness. This gives Finn Stam and Rui Mendes the chance to shine in the starting lineup. Stam, who joined FC Groningen on loan from AZ this summer, has impressed Lukkien. “I think he has grown during the preseason,” says Lukkien. “It took him a while to adjust at the beginning, which is understandable. New players need to adapt to our style. But he’s been playing exceptionally well in recent weeks.” Lukkien is equally pleased with Mendes. “He’s had a great preseason.”
A New Face in the Lineup
Tika de Jonge is also set to make his first start for FC Groningen. The midfielder earned his spot in the starting lineup during the last two friendly matches against PAS Lamia and Heracles Almelo. He’ll be filling in for Laros Duarte, who recently expressed a desire to leave the club. “I think Tika is a good player,” says Lukkien. “His strengths include his passing ability, his ability to control the flow of the game, his tactical awareness, and his ability to play the ball through the lines. He brings speed to our game.” Lukkien emphasizes that Duarte’s departure is not the sole reason for De Jonge’s starting position.
Schreuders Signs Long-Term Contract
There was a lot of buzz surrounding Jorg Schreuders’ contract extension in recent weeks. The good news came this week, with the midfielder signing a new contract that will keep him at FC Groningen until the summer of 2027. “I received a lot of positive feedback,” says Schreuders. “It turned into a big deal, even though it was pretty clear to me all along. Many people are happy, including myself.”
Looking Ahead to the First Game
Schreuders is looking forward to the first match of the season. “I’m excited and curious to see how we do. A packed Euroborg is always a treat, so hopefully it will be another great game for everyone. I want to be a key player for the team this season and make my mark in the Eredivisie. Those are my goals for the year.”
Johan Hove Ready to Roll
Midfielder Johan Hove is also happy that the season is finally underway. The Norwegian player wasn’t completely content at FC Groningen earlier in his career, but after their promotion, he decided to stay with the team for another season. He has a lot of confidence in the squad, which has only undergone minimal changes over the summer. “It’s always an advantage when you play with players you already know. We had a few minor injuries during the preseason, but that’s part of the game.”
Thom van Bergen’s “Wondersloffen”
Thom van Bergen has a bit of a unique situation going into the first game. His football boots are looking a little worse for wear, with a hole revealing his sock. “These are my wonder boots,” jokes Van Bergen, who has played many games in these boots. “I have wide feet, so when I need to break in new boots, it takes two weeks before they feel comfortable.” The hole in his boots needs fixing. “I’ll have my dad take a look at them. He’ll get them fixed up.”
