Netherlands:

Last year Hugo van Reeken relegated with Gooische to the ‘Overgangsklasse’. Reason for a move to a promotion class team for the ambitious goalie, who last year declared his wish to represent the Netherlands at the Olympic Games in Brisbane in 2032. With his new club Ede he ended up in the danger zone again. As number ten in the league, he will try to maintain his position through play-outs this weekend. Especially against his old team, Gooische.

After the Bussummers brutally scored 1-2 in Ede, Gooische player Daan Schooleman pointed the finger at Van Reeken. We got you there, the defender seemed to want to say to his former teammate. I noticed that too. I don’t know exactly why he did that. There is still a game to play. It’s a little early to do this, I thought. I’m not that heavy into it though. Struggle on the field I do like,’ Van Reeken reflected on this unusual moment shortly after the game.

That he and Ede will face Gooische in the playoffs did not come as a surprise to Van Reeken. ‘I’ll see you guys in two weeks. I had sent that in last year’s group app after they finished second in their pool. I already had a strong feeling that they would win it against Leonidas (the number two from the other Overgangsklasse pool). They have a good corner with Juup Crop and an insanely talented midfielder with Sander van de Putte, and under Peter Jonker as coach they have more structure and discipline.’

The 18-year-old Gooische talent Sander van de Putte (left) made things difficult for Ede in the first game. Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek/WorldSportPics

For Van Reeken, that mentality was perhaps the biggest difference between Gooische and Ede. ‘With a group of five guys, we regularly spend two hours in the car on the way there from Amsterdam alone. And that’s four times a week. Besides a busy job, that’s pretty tough. Once on the field we train really hard. Every time again. Everyone pays contribution here. Very little is taken out of our hands. I have deep respect for that. And that hard work fits with what I myself want.’

Irritations

Despite all the sacrifices and work ethic, Ede turned in a difficult season this year. As a promoter, the Gelderland team finished neatly in sixth place. This season, Ede did not even score half as many points (32 to 15) and narrowly stayed ahead of relegationists HGC and HCAS.

‘Losing a lot is tough, of course,’ Van Reeken acknowledged. ‘This team is not used to that either. For years they have been at the top of their league. Whether that’s First Division or Promotion Division. Two weeks ago we therefore put our heads together. Confidence in each other, but also the mutual irritations.

That was badly needed, according to Van Reeken. We also discussed our core values. Number one is that we want to do everything in the interest of the team. In our locker room since then a poster hangs with our core values and above it We are a promotion league team. That’s not a bluff. We belong here. And now that the irritations are out of the air, I immediately feel better on the field.

Hard against hard between Gooische and Ede. Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek/WorldSportPics

To show that there is indeed no bluff, a win over Gooische is needed on Monday. If not in the match itself, then via shoot-outs. ‘I already filmed their shoot-outs against Leonidas last week, so if it comes to that, I’ll be ready. How we do it doesn’t matter to me, as long as we win. Especially now that it’s against my old club. I expect a war of attrition. The fittest team wins. With the collective that we are, we have a good chance.’

Van Reeken’s personal long-term ambitions are also still very much alive. ‘This dream of standing at the Brisbane Olympics is still there. But first let’s become the best goalkeeper in the Promotion League.’