FC Emmen opponent Almere City in final playoffs – NAC stays in first division

FC Emmen and Almere City in finals

A beautiful soccer day comes to an end, which took us via Eindhoven, London and Almere to Emmen. There the local FC celebrates, after a fine win over NAC.

Next Tuesday and Sunday, Almere City and FC Emmen will decide who to watch in the premier league next year. Tomorrow we will be back with a new soccer blog, focusing on the playoffs for European soccer.

At 2:30 p.m. FC Twente plays against sc Heerenveen. At 6 p.m., Sparta follows against FC Utrecht. See you tomorrow!

EMM-NAC | 80′ Banzuzi heads straight at the goalkeeper

Banzuzi could have made it really exciting again, but kicks right into the hands of Van der Hart. There could have been more.

NAC is now pressing more and more.

Janssen upset after losing final: ‘Lots of emotions involved’

Dominique Janssen needed some time Saturday to process the defeat in the Champions League final against FC Barcelona (3-2). “It’s hard to put your finger on the sore spot,” said the VfL Wolfsburg defender. “There are a lot of emotions involved.”

Wolfsburg was still leading 2-0 at half-time in the nearly sold-out Philips Stadium. “We were focused and wanted to keep going and continue the way we ended the first half,” said the Dutch defender, who also lost the Champions League final with Wolfsburg three years ago. “But you also know that Barcelona will come back onto the pitch after halftime in a different way. You have to be prepared for that. We get two goals against in the same way. We have to look at that as a team, we have to improve.”

KNVB executive De Jong: ‘We are going to bring in the Women’s World Cup’

Gijs de Jong is confident that in four years’ time the Netherlands will get to host the Women’s World Cup together with Germany and Belgium. The KNVB secretary general looked back on the organization of the Champions League final between FC Barcelona and VfL Wolfsburg (3-2) at the Philips Stadium with a good feeling. “These images go around the world, I wouldn’t know now what could have been done better,” he said.

The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium face competition from Brazil, South Africa and the United States/Mexico combination to host the 2027 World Cup. “We are going to win of course, that has to be the attitude,” De Jong spoke. “For that, first of all you have to submit a rock-solid bid. That is why we are very happy with the Cabinet’s support.”

EMM-NAC | 44′ Goal NAC does not go ahead

Banzuzi shoots the ball behind Van der Hart, but leading up to the goal Omgba appeared to have been offside.

The party does not continue for NAC.

EMM-NAC | 30′ NAC grows into the match

FC Emmen started this match well, but is sinking further and further into the match. NAC just started to play better soccer by the minute.

The Bredenaars are tapping the ball around nicely and are threatening.

Ibrahimovic leaves AC Milan: farewell message leaked

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving AC Milan. The Swedish vedette will no longer receive a new contract at the top Italian club.

Given his age (41), injuries and therefore his limited share in AC Milan’s successes this season, this decision is not so shocking. What is striking, however, is the way the news came out.

The day before the home game with Hellas Verona, the necessary preparations were made, with the farewell message “Godbye Zlatan” leaked to Ibrahimovic.

ALM-VVV | 106′ The chance for VVV!

Yasar had the 2-1 in front of him, but missed. The substitute did score the winning goal in the previous playoff round, but today he does not play the role of hero. Venema could also have scored from the corner.

By the way, the first half of the extension is now over.

ALM-VVV | 96′ Extension waves up and down

Through substitute Yasar, VVV just became dangerous. Moments later, Almere City standout Van La Parra takes the ball full on his slipper, but his hard shot is cracked.

Chances back and forth, but still that 1-1 score.

ALM-VVV | 85′ Chances for Almere

A good phase by Almere City. Hilterman gets the chance to score the winning goal twice, but he shoots against the goalkeeper.

Still, this will give Almere good courage.

Meanwhile in Almere: match abandoned after 1-1

VVV just equalized through a goal by Allouch. He got the ball just before the sixteen meter, dribbled inside and curled the ball in matchless fashion into the top right corner.

After the goal, the match was briefly stopped. From the VVV outbox, while celebrating the goal, a cup was thrown which landed on the pitch.

BAR-WOL | 59′ Wolfsburg staggers

Roord, Wilms and Janssen now have a very tough time against Barcelona. The Catalans only started to play better soccer after the second quick goals after halftime.

Coach Stroot must quickly figure out how to turn the tide now.

CIT-MUN | 46′ Second half started at Wembley

City – United is also on the road again. The second half started less stormy than the first.

There was one chance shortly after the resumption, though. City came through well on the right, but De Bruyne’s cross lacked precision.

BAR-WOL | 50′ FC Barcelona goal!

The same recipe: Hansen’s forehand and Patri’s goal. What a fantastic start to the second half for Barcelona, which has already repaired the damage from the first half.

It’s 2-2 in Eindhoven.

Both in Eindhoven and London, the first half is over. Wolfsburg are 2-0 ahead against Barcelona, City and United are level.

Both finals so far have been well worth watching. We will continue in 15 minutes.

BAR-WOL | 37′ Goal Wolfsburg!

The chances on one side, the goals on the other! Wolfsburg is incredibly efficient and is ahead 2-0 against Barcelona.

Popp heads a tight cross in impeccably.

CIT-MUN | Record goal by Gündogan

Gündogan’s 1-0 is the fastest goal in an FA Cup final ever. The German volleyed in a hit after 12 seconds.

The old record stood until Saturday afternoon in the name of Louis Saha, who opened the scoring on behalf of Everton after 25 seconds against Chelsea in 2009. Everton lost that final 2-1.

CIT-MUN | 24′ Header by Rashford

United is trying to get dangerous, but it’s not really flowing yet. Just now Rashford was able to head, but his effort was rather lousy.

However, Ten Hag’s team’s field play now looks a little better than in the first ten minutes.

BAR-WOL | 20′ Stroot has things well in hand

Tommy Stroot, Wolfsburg’s coach, looks thick with satisfaction. Wolfsburg is ahead and can now let Barça come on.

Wolfsburg defender Hendrichs picked up yellow, by the way, and must be careful.

CIT-MUN | The Lineups

City and United’s lineups are known. Erik ten Hag keeps Dutchmen Tyrell Malacia and Wout Weghorst on the bench.

Antony is injured and is not in Manchester United’s matchday squad. Nathan Aké is on the bench at City.

Janssen, Roord and Wilms basic in CL final

Jill Roord, Dominique Janssen and Lynn Wilms will start in VfL Wolfsburg’s starting lineup during the Champions League final on Saturday. The three Oranje internationals have been regulars in coach Tommy Stroot’s team this season.

Wilms is at right back in the sold-out Philips Stadium against FC Barcelona. Janssen is in the center of defense and Roord plays soccer in midfield.

Wolfsburg last won the Champions League in 2014. The German Cup winner, who had to leave the title to Bayern Munich this season, was in the final three more times after that. In both 2016, 2018 and 2020, Olympique Lyon were too strong in the final match.

Special ‘Barça mom’ in Eindhoven

In the center of Eindhoven, an 85-year-old supporter of the FC Barcelona women’s team talks about her love for the club. Her shirt reads ‘Barça-oma’ and she has painted her nails red-blue.

“I travel along as if I were 20,” she says. “Last night I couldn’t sleep from the excitement.”

Former Twente coach Stroot goes for CL win with Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg coach Tommy Stroot worked at FC Twente between 2016 and 2020. There he was extremely successful and forced a move to the German top.

Former Orange international Kiki van Es played under Stroot at Twente and was impressed by his style, she said after his move to Wolfsburg. “He interferes with everything, but it’s good that he’s like that,” van Es said. “He is very present, even during a match. In a positive way and that’s very nice.”

“I really saw that he has developed himself. That’s nice. He has his own vision and he knows what he wants to project on the field.”

Below, Stroot talks about his expectations for the final:

Van de Sanden and Mead look forward to CL final: ‘Oh, these are really nice matches’

Dutch international Shanice van de Sanden has won the Champions League three times. Now she is just a spectator in Eindhoven, where FC Barcelona and VfL Wolfsburg are competing. She has already texted her Oranje teammates with good luck wishes.

Beth Mead of the England team expects a wonderful final, where Barça’s positional play and Wolfsburg’s physical soccer will clash.

Janssen: ‘Nice not to be the favorite for once’

That Wolfsburg go into the Champions League final against FC Barcelona in Eindhoven as the underdog does not bother Oranje international Dominique Janssen at all.

Indeed, it is refreshing at times. “We are actually always the favorite, so I sometimes like not being that,” he said.

Wiegman sees Barcelona as favorites

England national coach Sarina Wiegman will soon be an attentive spectator at the Philips Stadium. At Barcelona, she will see her internationals Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh at work.

“I expect Barcelona to be more on the ball, that they will be the superior side,” Wiegman indicated.

“I think it will be a match of a very high level. Wolfsburg is a top club in Germany and Barcelona has been dominating at home and in Europe for a long time,” she notes.

Will Ten Hag turn his sufficient into a good enough?

Erik ten Hag deserves a sufficient in his first season as Manchester United coach, he agrees. “I think we have done very well. Especially if you see where this club comes from and if you see the development of our team.”

Last season United finished sixth, well behind the rest. Under the Dutch manager, the team qualified for the Champions League via third place and won the League Cup.

Ten Hag can still turn his sufficiency into a thick enough one. After all, dessert still awaits. Again at Wembley. This time the final of the FA Cup, that much more important cup tournament in England.

“I have experienced enough cup finals as a player and as a coach,” Ten Hag begins. “In the Netherlands we have the Kuip, a special place. But yes… Wembley, pff. I think Wembley might be the best stadium in the world. To be in the final there again, then, is great.”

Roord, Janssen and Wilms play Champions League final

Jill Roord, Dominique Janssen and Lynn Wilms will be in the final of the Champions League this afternoon (4 p.m.). The three internationals of Oranje will take on FC Barcelona in Eindhoven with VfL Wolfsburg. The Philips stadium is sold out with 34,120 tickets sold.

Wolfsburg last won the Champions League in 2014. The German Cup winner, who had to leave the title to Bayern Munich this season, was in the final three more times after that. In both 2016, 2018 and 2020, Olympique Lyon were too strong in the final match.

No Dutch players are under contract at FC Barcelona anymore. The Catalans have recently regained star player Alèxia Putellas, who has returned from injury.