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I'm usually not a guy to make big sells, but this summer, I finally did one move with my last year's regular performer. Martin Boverhof went to Groningen for a nice sum of 300k pounds.
The season to start off in a week, voetbal.nl asked Willem II manager about his hopes for new season. Tanel Tursk & Willem II are planning to compete for European places. Read the short interview!
Willem II obviosly has big plans for the new season as the summer has told, what are your hopes?
"We are certainly pushing for European spots once again. I think we have the quality to do it & we have worked for towards it. Euro Cup wasn't far away last season and it certainly isn't this season either."
Your last European experience ended early. Has this affected morale in team?
"No, it hasn't. It was just a test before the season. We have learned from our mistakes and I have worked to improve those bad spots. We're fine now. It was embarrasing to fall out though. Dortmund wasn't much better from us."
Could you tell us more important about two things. Your team did some major changes in back-room staff and training methods, also you showed door to more than 20 players in the summer. Is it set to help?
"Yes. I have certain reasons. I have hired loads of specialists to help me improve my training, so players have to work under several different coaches. About the sacking of the whole reserves team. I don't need that. My team had enough depth and thanks to those sackings, I managed to cut down 100k of our salary paid every month."
You will have some extra motivation with the birth of your son in July. Are you happy with that?
"Yes, I'm extremely delighted and I want to build a great legacy to little Tom. Only bad thing about his birth was that I had to buy Maria some stuff from the shop all the time, since he couldn't eat the hospital food. It got annoying, despite it just lasting few days."
Almost everything is well in love-life then, but did the case of Ajax chairman Jaake have any affect on your morale?
"Not much, I got over it pretty soon. I'm happy he rottens in jail for the rest of his life. What doesen't kill makes you stronger. I'm even more ready to face all the challenges this season thanks to that."
What did really happen then? Has anything remained a secret?
"I doubt there is nothing remained as a secret. Except those little details."
What details?
"The one that happened due to those incidents. How I had to run in Rotterdam to find a cab. Also how they set this up, by claiming that I was drunk so they put me into jail and so on. Anyway, I don't understand why he (Jaake) did it. Must have lost the brains, since he could've talked to me like a man to man, instead of using violent methods."
So, Willem II will be a team to beat in race for Uefa Cup places. Thank you, mr. Tursk.
Our league season finally started. I was waiting this to see how is the team, since I couldn't play few important players in Intertoto matches. Our first opponent was NAC Breda, who had a great first half of the season last year, but then fall off in the second one. I had to play away, so it was a good test.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 1 NAC Breda 1:3 Willem II (13., 21., 27. Jonas van Hooydonck)
What a game by our summer signing. Too bad they don't hand goal of the month awards in Casino Eredivisie. His third one was just brilliant. Anyway, overally, great performances from the lads. It made me believe in success. It looks like we're having a one good season.
29th of August 2010
Before going to the first international break of the season, we met AZ Alkmaar at home. I couldn't know what to except. I had a great start to the season, but so did they as they beat PSV at home. Though, bad news came after Week 1 game againist NAC. My no. 1 GK Artur Kotenko is out till the start of October.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 2 Willem II 2:2 AZ Alkmaar (41. Jaime Valdes, 89. Cengizhan Topal)
I'm angry with this game. We should have win it and also, should have not leave the point so late. Anyway, atleast we got something out of this game. A point put us on first place due to goal difference.
But once again, bad news came after the game. Willem Janssen broke his leg and is out for 5 months. Also our much needed left-back Leroy Fer, who was wanted by many clubs in summer (Including PSV), is out for the next 5-6 games.
31st of August 2010
Due to the injury of Fer, I had to make a last minute buy for a left-back position since I had no decent back-up for him. My choice went on Italian Andrea Giacomini who joined us from Perugia for 500k pounds. He is promising 23-year old and was also followed by many Serie A clubs like Fiorentina and Livorno.
12th of September 2010
I had to return to league football againist Feyenoord away. I was not hoping much from the game, but suprise was possible. Espescially after last years amazing win over them. Kotenko, Janssen, Fer were all out and it was hard to play better without them.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 3 Feyenoord 2:1 Willem II (61. Jonas van Hooydonck)
I was again angry with the result. We didn't deserve to lose. This game was in our hands, but we couldn't turn the result in our favour. Even a draw would have been good. Though, in those goals, we really missed Kotenko as Moens is no-where near him and new signing Giacomini wasn't near Fer's performance either.
With some injuried players out for the match, I had a though task ahead of me in home. I had to meet PSV, who have not enjoyed best of the starts, but mostly due to bad luck. I was hoping to pull off a suprise which I'm yet to done againist big teams, except Feyenoord.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 4 Willem II 2:4 PSV (23., 38. Cengizhan Topal)
We managed to conceed right before the half-time whistle being 2:1 up. This is the point when we lost the game. Otherwise, we played a nice game and should have scored enough to get the draw, if not the win, but "but's & if's" won't bring me a win.
26th of September 2010
So I was certainly planing a win when we met Heracles at home. I was worried about possible suprise, since our 2nd GK Moens haven't been exactly great and we really miss Fer & Janssen. The last one when weather condition gets extreme.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 5 Willem II 4:1 Heracles (7. Cengizhan Topal, 27., 33. Jonas van Hooydonck, 90. Jan Vertonghen)
Great win. We dominated through whole match and we're unlucky not to score more. Vertonghen scored a great goal and striking partership of Topal and van Hooydonck keeps producing goals every match.
29th of October 2010
Our Dutch Cup 3rd Round draw takes us together with DORDRECHT.
3rd of October 2010
In week 6 game, I hoped to continue my good form from Heracles game and beat promoted RKC at their own ground. The confidence was high, despite Kotenko, Janssen & Fer still missing out those games.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 6 RKC 2:2 Willem II (55. Christoph Mattes, 56. Jonas van Hooydonck)
I am not most pleasant people, when it comes to red cards and our Czech defender has to think how's he gonna eat next week, since I fined him for 1 week. What a stupid foul he made in 13th minute. RKC player was getting one on one with our GK, but then Molinek intercepted by grabbing RKC strikers shirt. Straight red card and we were in trouble. By the half-time, we were down 2:0. I had to use my brain to get something out of this match. I decided to bring in an extra striker, which was very risky move & also sent all out to attack. Amazingly, we managed to get back into the game in space of 2 minutes. We were unlucky not to score a winning goal later. I was proud for the guys who fought.
6th of October 2010
Just 3 days after RKC, I had the battle for the 6th place on my way. I had to meet FC Utrecht, who are doing amazing in CL. Our stadium was totally full and I was boosted by return of Kotenko. We really missed him between the posts.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 7 Willem II 1:0 FC Utrecht (80. Vartan Mazalov)
Great win! Or great Kotenko! What a comeback match from my country-man. Substitute Mazalov had great influence to the game also. The overall play was not very good, but win is a win. Now, lets shoot down the top 5!
I had 2 difficult away games ahead of me in the league. First one was a "easy" test in Rotterdam againist last seasons suprise package Sparta, who were struggling this season. Leroy Fer & Willem Janssen still weren't avaible.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 8 Sparta 0:1 Willem II (35. Vartan Mazalov)
I'm very happy with the fact that we've gone 4 games without losing, but there's no damn use for it, since Top 5 have set an too awesome pace. And I will have to play my next game without Jan Vertonghen, who got injuried for 2 weeks.
24th of October 2010
Our U19 international Patrick de Groot returned from great NT games (2 goals in 2 matches), but was not in the first team line-up as the places againist Vitesse were given to Mazalov and van Hooydonck. Finally return was ready to play, but Vertonghen & Janssen missed games to make our midfield a lot weaker attacking wise.
Dutch Premerier Division, Week 9 Vitesse 5:2 Willem II (6. Vartan Mazalov, 35. Jonas van Hooydonck)
It is offically the worst ever first 21-minutes. Despite us scoring goal, we managed to conceed 5 goals and get one player sent-off. It was a total fluke! Atleast our stiker partnership worked once again, and Topal will spend most of his time on bench starting from now.
27th of October 2010
It was a perfect game to get ourselves back on track as we met relegation fighters Cambuur at home. I didn't really doubt in winning game, eventough Michele Canini was out with a ban to leave a hole into our defence.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 10 Willem II 3:0 Cambuur (14., 38. Vartan Mazalov, 24. Jaime Valdes)
Willem II manager Tanel Tursk was very angry with the refereeing despite his team winning 3:0 through a brace from Vartan Mazalov and another one from Jaime Valdes.
"I'm getting full of this! The referees keep making decisions againist us. Jonas (Van Hooydonck) scored legal goal, but he got in cancelled due to offside he never was in. I think we should make a nice gesture to the referees in christmas and make them a big present. Pair of glasses," said Willem II manager.
And that wasn't the end, Tursk continued, "Every game, we either get an disallowed goal, offside that never was there, penalty given to opponent or a red card! Very often undeservedly. They better start to improve their refereeing against us."
But today, Tursk was happy with the game showed by players, "We had great first half. Second half could have been better, but we didn't conceed any goals and that's good. Mazalov has been great lately, so I was counting on him to score."
30th of October 2010
So I had cup game coming up. I decided to reach as far as I could, but to go through from 3rd round, I needed to beat Dordrecht away.
Dutch Cup, 3rd Round Dordrecht 0:2 Willem II (15. Jaime Valdes, 68. Jonas van Hooydonck)
Nice win as we had the game in our hands. Though, it was hard for us, since it was surpsing weather out there. -5 degrees, the pitch was covered with snow and it was hard to be technical. Luckily, none of our players got a flu or injury. Dordrecht did worse on that matter.
31st of October 2010
Our next round opponent will be Feyenoord at home.
I had to win againist Excelsior at home to get closer to the big top 5. Up to this point, there have been 3 classes. Top 5, Willem II & Utrecht and the rest. I wanted to move away from Utrecht, since they were very dangerous side and I wanted to a bit more comfortable. I had no serious injuries.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 11 Willem II 3:0 Excelsior (5., 21. Cengizhan Topal, 42. pen. Paul Verghaegh)
Great win. We are going to international break with 3 wins in a row. Topal is fighting back his first team place and the rumble between Topal-Mazalov-van Hooydonck trio can only be good. I basically always have a inform striker to play with. (+ Christoph Mattes & Patrick de Groot) And finally we managed to get a penalty in our favour!
21st of November 2010
My hopes weren't high, as I again had to hope on a suprise as the team travelled to the other end of the country, to meet Amsterdam away. I had to make some changes in bench as Christoph Mattes, who had usually sat there was injuried. Instead I put another midfielder there.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 12 Ajax 2:3 Willem II (9., 23. Vartan Mazalov, 93. Cengizhan Topal)
A inch perfect defensive performance saw Willem II beating Ajax in their own home. Match that ended 3-2 was decided by a last gasp goal!
The surpise of the day started off with Willem II's inform Russian striker Vartan Mazalov scoring a header in 9th minute. But it wasn't enough for Willem II & Mazalov. In 23rd minute, the attacking trio of Mazalov, van Hooydonck and Valdes combined a perfect chance for the first one mentioned. Mazalov didn't miss and around thousand travelling fans were sent into raptures.
But then started a tactical show. "I completely reorganized everything", said Willem II boss Tanel Tursk, "I knew we couldn't handle the tempo for the whole match. I sent players into defence and said them to close down the pitch."
It sure worked. An minor injury of Vartan Mazalov saw introducion of a 5th midfielder. Steef Nieuwendaal came in with a special job to mark Ajax central midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari. That move eventually closed down the Ajax effective movement in midfield.
Second half saw Ajax hitting loads of shots, but they never really had time to make some specific moves. The box had been closed down by defenders and even when a shot game on goal, there was one man who they couldn't beat. Artur Kotenko, was hailed as man of the match, makind world class saves every 5th minute.
Willem II kept making inch perfect tackles and won the balls easily in midfield, but for few minutes in the end of the match, they lost their concentration. A hillarious goal, which saw Maxwells cross going in was enough to make Willem II's defenders to shiver and minute later, Ajax had one on one situation and it was 2:2.
For the final minutes, the work Willem II made was set to be pointless, as Ajax was pushing hard, but Willem II managed to control their strikers once again.
Ajax loses the ball in attack, Willem II hits long ball foward... It's collected by Cengizhan Topal! He keeps running, one on one with a goalkeeper. GOAL! Willem scored a suprising winning goal.
"I refuse to tell we should have lost. This was our tactic to win the game and we did it. I tactically owned Danny Blind and team showed great spirit. They followed it just as I wanted. Great spirit!", those were the words of Tanel Tursk.
Willem II's pre-season Uefa Cup wishes are now becoming reality as the team in 6th place has leaved rest of the chasing package behind and is now just 1 point away from 5th placed Feyenoord.
So, my form was 10/10 lately and I had to continue the form once we hosted MVV, who were mid-table club this season. I had Vartan Mazalov, Christoph Mattes & Willem Janssen all out on injuries.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 13 Willem II 2:1 MVV (63. Cengizhan Topal, 74. Patrick de Groot)
Ver nice win and team really played like they had for past weeks. Morale is still in heaven after Ajax win. Though, bad news came. Our striker crisis deepened, Patrick de Groot got injuried for 2 weeks during the match.
3rd of December 2010
So, with just 2 pure goalscorers in my ranks, I had to face strong Heerenveen, who are underachieving at he moment, but win againist PSV proved, that they're on their way to recovery. I had to be afraid of them, espescially away.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 14 Heerenveen 1:0 Willem II
So our great run came to an end. We could've won, if there wasn't that out form Jonas van Hooydonck upfront. He realy did anything else, but getting decent shots. Everything went towards GK or fans. I was angry as we now fell to 6th place, though level on points with 5th and 4th.
11th of December 2010
We had to do like we usually do after defeats, beat crap out of our opponent. This time, Roda should have been the unlucky one. Though, being away from home made matters more difficult. They were in very bad form. I still couldn't pick more than 2 strikers.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 15 Roda JC 1:4 Willem II (2., 75. Cengizhan Topal, 11. Paul Verhaegh, 17. Jonas van Hooydonck)
Now that was typical! No joking around from the players and Topal continued his awesome season upfront. I'm happy that van Hooydonck also managed to score. Maybe it will boost his morale, since I was very angry with him after Heerenveen. Now we raised to 5th in the table. Only Utrecht is in front of us.
19th of December 2010
Week after 15th round in championship, I had long waited cup game with Feyenoord at home. My striking force was finally back in action, with Mazalov, de Groot and Mattes all getting back from injuries, but they weren't really, that ready so they weren't choosen or sat on bench.
Dutch Cup, Round 4 Willem II 0:1 Feyenoord
We could've win this game once again, but still we managed to ruin loads of goals and concede an easy goal. The situation got even better in 90th minute, when Mitchell Schet got red card so we can't use our right winger, who contsantly puts in good performances, in next league game againist 3rd placed FC Groningen. A win in that match would take us to CL place probably.
Another form rescue win had to be made. It was a very important game, as we met 3rd placed Groningen at home. Our home stadium was full except few seats. We could finally have full & fit squad to play with and I hoped to take advatange of this situation.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 16 Willem II 4:0 Groningen (7. Cengizhan Topal, 62. Steef Nieuwendaal, 66. Jaime Valdes, 76. Vartan Mazalov)
Our first half was far from perfect and I'd like to thank god/Kotenko not for going in behind, but after making subs in around 60th minute our team showed world class moves and 3rd placed Groningen left the ground looking like a joke. We rised to 4th. That damn Utrecth has 1 more + in goal difference. Anyway, Vartan Mazalov returned with a goal and we finally have 2 strikers who can both score!
1st of January 2011
A new year started off with good news, Artur Kotenko was selected as the 2nd best Casino Eredivisie GK, but this season, no GK has even got equal to him. But that day also saw a major clean out in first team due to some financical danger. Our balance was going down every month like 200k pounds, so to prevent club for going into red numbers after end of the seasons - I sold Rod Fanni, Steef Nieuwendaal, Marco De Borst, Christoph Mattes for fine 2 million overall income + around 60k free wages. But I have to make some buys too to cover up some places and I invested in some promising youngsters.
2nd of January 2011
So we had an easy match to end our first half of the season with. We met struggling FC Twente at home. I was hoping for another 5:0 win againist them as Mazalov returned to the starting XI.
Dutch Premier Division, Week 17 Willem II 2:1 FC Twente (32. Cengizhan Topal, 81. Vartan Mazalov)
I just have to love that striking duo. We dominated the match, though, there's one other thing I'm not happy with. We're now 3rd though as Ajax slipped up on 2nd place so Utrecht and us went past them.
Willem II is facing a healthy fine from Dutch Referee's Association after they giften match offical Richard Liesveld pair of glasses, as they had 3 goals canceled in last 10 minutes of the game.
Despite Willem II winning yesterday againist FC Twente, their manager was very angry with the refereeing decisions yesterday and decided to give referee Liesveld pair of glasses. "Those goals had nothing wrong! Now instead of being 2nd with goal difference, we're sitting 3rd. I hope next times he is set to run our game, he puts them on," said angry Estonian manager.
Willem II are suprise package this season and are now fighting for Champions League place, being higher than PSV, Feyenoord or Ajax.
Dutch Referee's Assocition have though defending their offical and are ready to sue Willem II if they wont apologies in front of Liesveld. Also there is fine coming from Dutch League. "I won't apologise until we start getting the same treatment as do other teams," Tursk refused to take back his words.
The decisions about the case are set to be made on 7th of January.
Dutch league club Willem II got fined for 20 000 pounds after they gifted referee of their match pair of glasses because the match offical canceled out 3 of their goals.
"This is very unprofessional gesture from Willem II," was stated in offical statement.
Willem II officals are refusing to make any comments.
17th of January 2011
Due to several players sent out, I was looking for cheap players from Estonia or Dutch lower league clubs. First players I signed was very nice 22-year old goalkeeper Koen Verhoeff from Go Ahead. He has around 30 games of Premier Division experience and did very good. He's set to become my 2nd choice GK. I paid 120k and his wage is around 5k per month.
18th of January 2011
My second deal was a striker to fill the 5th striker place that was left empty with Mattes leaving. I got my replacement from Estonian club Levadia. I signed 24-year old striker Mihail Istsuk for 100k. He had very good scoring record with 2 goals in 3 games. My Estonian deals have usually been succesful, so I hope this one will also be.
30th of January 2011
I was facing competition from several clubs to sign right winger Patrick Gerritsen from Veendam. Eventually, I signed the 24-year old winger for 210k pounds. He's second choice after Mitchell Schet since Nieuwendaal left in January.
1st of February 2011
I could consider my january transfer window succesful as I managed to cut down clubs wage-bill for around 40k pounds and also earned some money with playing couple of friendlies in home. Also, I got deals with 4 very promising youngsters, including 16-year old centre-back Erik Zonneveld, who's early performances in U21 team have really impressed me. He has been our best player in almost every match he has played. Soon he'll get to taste some first team football I think.
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