retired_bliss123

That's really left with me massive expectations now

retired_hern1001

:eek:

Groningen 2nd...

Nice story though James, good to see not all has gone bad since i've buggered off here

retired_bliss123

Thanks Wilkras

4/1/2004

(2) FC Groningen vs. RKC (16)
Euroborg

Team News: Zoricich (international), Tuhuteru (injured)


Groningen Continue Streak into New Year


New year, same story, as Groningen continue to be the performing underdog in Holland.

Without the influential Zoricich at the back, it came down to Regillio Vrede to score the first goal of the new year just past the half hour. The captain rising to head in from a corner.

As was their characteristic of early in the season, Groningen then looked to settle for a 1-0 scoreline. Solid passing moves that created little were the main highlight, until Fali Montes created half a yard, 10 minutes from time, and bobbled a shot into the corner.

A decent enoguh start to the new year, as Groningen continue to match Ajax win for win.

FC Groningen 2-0 RKC (Vrede 32, Montes 81)

Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Florén, Vrede (c), Kruiswijk; Hristov, De Witte, Krstev, Hugo; Montes, Salmon

Subs: Santos, Lambers, Fellinga, Nicolas, Drent, Smit, Landerl

retired_bliss123

31/1

ADO vs. FC Groningen
Zuiderpark
Last Meeting: 0-0

Team News: Montes (suspended), Salmon (international)

9 Game Winning Run Ends


All good things come to an end, right? And Groningen's appeared as though it would come against ADO.

They were already struggling with neither of their first choice strikers, and the lack of confidence reverberated around the whole side, as ADO scored two soft first half goals to seal victory.

The first, a freekick that was parried into his net by the keeper, and the second a third rebound after the defence failed to clear - in stoppage time.

ADO added to Groningen's misery right at the end of the game, too, as Roy Stroeve scored a penalty awarded for handball.

All in all, a disappointing Groningen performance, which sees their 9 game winning streak end. Now, though, they can concentrate on recovering in the league, to hold their second position, with Ajax surely champions already.

ADO 3-0 FC Groningen (Stroeve 24, 90 (p), Castenlen 45)

Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Florén, Vrede (c), Zoricich; Hristov, Tuhuteru, Krstev, Hugo; Santos, Drent

Subs: Fellinga, Lambers, Kruiswijk, Nicolas, Landerl, Smit, De Witte

retired_bliss123

4/2

FC Groningen vs. FC Twente
Euroborg

Amstel Cup 1/4 Final

Team: Tuhuteru injured

Groningen Fire Themselves into Final Four


After receiving a rollocking following their weekend defeat, it was key for Groningen that they came out and represented the team well in last 8 of the national cup, and for the first 45 minutes, it was the Groningen of a month ago.

It took a mere 3 minutes for Santos to make his presence felt, as he slid in a De Witte cross.

The Spaniard was rocking, and three minutes later he scored again. This time a volley from just inside the area, that the keeper could only palm into the goal.

The home team were dominating and threatening Twente for the entire half, and they got their just rewards when Hugo scored a sublime 25 yard freekick.

Whilst the final 45 minutes were about consolidation, but Groningen had done enough to prove that the loss against ADO may be just a fluke...

Groningen 3-0 Twente (Santos 3, 6, Hugo 34)

Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Florén, Vrede (c), Zoricich; Hristov, De Witte, Krstev, Hugo; Montes, Santos

Subs: Landerl, Lambers, Kruiswijk, Nicolas, Drent, Smit, Fellinga


Last 4: FC Groningen, FC Utrecht, Ajax Reserves, Heracles

retired_bliss123

8/2

FC Groningen vs. Feyenoord
Euroborg

Team News: Florén, Tuhuteru (injured, Salmon (int.)

Cup Form Carries Over...

Groningen's impressive cup run trickeld over into the league, as they more theb matched Feyenoord at Euroborg.

An edgy first half must have had fans wondering if the home team would lose, just as they did to ADO last week, but a more assured and comfortable second half performance eased the nerves.

And the mastermind behind all this: Santos, the Spaniard improved his impressive strike rate with a brace of goals in the second half. The first, a curling shot from the edge of the area, after De Witte had intercepted a clearance. And the second, a magical solo run from 30 yards out, that culminated in a fine finish.

The win would have been all positive (Ajax losing closes the gap back to 4 points), had it not been for 3 players collecting suspensions for yellow cards. The question will be, then, can Groningen win without their stars?


FC Groningen 2-0 Feyenoord (Santos 63, 80)

Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Fellinga, Vrede (c), Zoricich; Hristov, De Witte, Krstev, Hugo; Montes, Santos

Subs: Matthijs, Lambers, Kruiswijk, Nicolas, Drent, Smit, Landerl

retired_bliss123

15/2

FC Twente vs. FC Groningen
Arke Stadion

Team News: Elshot, Vrede, Krstev (suspended), Tuhuteru (injured), Salmon (int.)

Groningen Match Ajax - Win

In a repeat of the Cup quarter final just over a week ago, Groningen matched the result against a feisty FC Twente side - a victory

It was a slow, comfortable game for the visitors, who alwyas seemed calm and relaxed - as if they knew they were going to win, and collect their 17th league clean sheet in 21 Eredivisie games in the process (:eek

They got off to the best possible start, as Fali Montes opened the scoring after 5 minutes had elapsed. The Spainiard cutting inside from the edge of the area to create a bit of space, because curling a right footed effort into the far corner.

He scored his 11th league goal of the season as well, quarter of an hour from time, as he made a near post run, to flick the ball into the net from Hugo's cross.

There were chances in the period between both goals, too. Santos had a header saved, and De Witte fired just wide, but once again Groningen made Twente look amatuer - not letting them get a single shot on target.


Twente 0-2 Groningen (Fali Montes 6, 75)

Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Fellinga, Florén, Kruiswijk, Zoricich; Hristov (c), De Witte, Nicolas, Hugo; Montes, Santos

Subs: Pinas, Lambers, van Gessel, Mattihjs, Drent, Smit, Landerl

retired_bliss123

22/2

FC Groningen vs. FC Utrecht
Euroborg

Gap Closes to 2 Points, as Groningen Fire on All Cylinders.

With their entire first team back for the first time this year, Groningen exemplified what a force they can be at their best. In what is a preview of the Amstel Cup Semi Final, the home team put together one of the best 45 minutes of football in the second half of this critical league fixture.

With Ajax drawing at NEC, a win would mean Groningen move with a "game" of the Champions, and despite an average opining period, the second half showed just what this team can do.

Just three minutes in, and they won a penalty, after Hristov was pushed in the area. Regular penalty Glenn Salmon allowed Fali Montes to step up instead, and the in form Spaniard scored with the keeper rooted to the middle.

Hristov then scored the second, as Montes initially had a cross parried away. Salmon then had a rebound excellently saved, but Hristov couldn't miss his chance.

The third, ten minutes from the end, could perhaps have been awarded to the excellent Salmon, but it goes down offcially as an own goal by defender Sander Keller - the defender getting the last touch as a corner was deflected goalwards.

But the South African did get a goal on his return from South Africa (where he scored 6 times in 4 games). Montes effort was saved by the keeper, but the ball trickled behind him, nestling on the goal line. Salmon was first to react, and touched it in, to finalise an emphatic victory

Groningen 4-0 Utrecht (Montes 48 (p), Hristov 58, Keller 81 (og), Salmon 86)

Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Florén, Vrede (c), Zoricich; Hristov, Tuhuteru, Krstev, Hugo; Montes, Salmon

Subs: Santos, Lambers, Kruiswijk, Nicolas, Drent, Smit, De Witte

retired_bliss123

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Ajax| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Ajax | | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 61 | 20 | +41 | 53 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | FC Groningen | | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 45 | 13 | +32 | 51 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | PSV | | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 40 | 20 | +20 | 46 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | FC Utrecht | | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 46 | 24 | +22 | 45 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Feyenoord | | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 37 | 17 | +20 | 44 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | AZ | | 21 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 44 | 25 | +19 | 35 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Vitesse | | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 34 | 31 | +3 | 35 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Roda JC | | 22 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 22 | +6 | 33 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | NEC | | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 39 | 36 | +3 | 32 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Heerenveen | | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 35 | 39 | -4 | 31 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | ADO Den Haag | | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 32 | 44 | -12 | 25 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Willem II | | 21 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 26 | 34 | -8 | 22 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Zwolle | | 22 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 20 | 39 | -19 | 22 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | RBC | | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 23 | 41 | -18 | 20 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | FC Twente | | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 18 | 40 | -22 | 19 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | RKC | | 22 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 18 | 46 | -28 | 17 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | NAC Breda | | 22 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 22 | 36 | -14 | 16 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Volendam | | 22 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 17 | 58 | -41 | 5 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Poor Volendam

retired_bliss123

29/2

FC Groningen vs. Zwolle
Euroborg

5th Consecutive Clean Sheet for Groningen

With Ajax winning away to Heerenveen, Groningen had to get all three points to keep up the pressure at the top.

It was an undoubted battle against Zwolle, however, and for a long stage it seemed as if the home team might just slip up - until Mile Krstev's header gave them the lead on half time.

From there, it was inevitable that Groningen would hold on for their 5th consecutive clean sheet, and another win that would keep them right on the tails of Ajax. Without being especially emphatic, they got the victory they needed - but performances will have to improve if Groningen want to still be close in 11 games time....

Groningen 1-0 Zwolle (Krstev 45)

Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Florén, Vrede (c), Zoricich; Hristov, Tuhuteru, Krstev, Hugo; Montes, Salmon

Subs: Santos, Lambers, Kruiswijk, Nicolas, Drent, Smit, De Witte