Netherlands: Rotterdam Wins Bronze At EHL After 2-0 Victory Over Kampong

Rotterdam seized third place early Monday morning at the EHL in Den Bosch. Coach Erik van Driel’s team was too strong for Kampong (0-2) in the consolation final. The goals came off the stick of Menno Boeren and Thijs van Dam.

Kampong and Rotterdam, despite the early start – the ball was rolling as early as 09:15 at the Oosterplas – did not complain about public interest in the least popular match of the tournament. As the game progressed, more and more people sought seats in the stands for the final day of the EHL.

In the end, a few hundred people saw an entertaining and energetic duel, without too many fireworks in front of both goals. The first real chance did not arise until the 25th minute, when Rotterdam attacker Tjep Hoedemakers saw his backhand shot denied by goalkeeper Estiaan Kriek. Kampong countered with one goal: a Derck de Vilder penalty corner, which was easily handled by goalkeeper Derk Meijer.

HFN4921 - Netherlands: Rotterdam wins bronze at EHL after 2-0 victory over Kampong - Rotterdam seized third place early Monday morning at the EHL in Den Bosch. Coach Erik van Driel's team was too strong for Kampong (0-2) in the consolation final. The goals came off the stick of Menno Boeren and Thijs van Dam.

Menno Boeren (Rotterdam, center) in a duel with Terrance Pieters and Rik Sprengers of Kampong. Photo: Bart Scheulderman

Also after halftime no major goal chances remained. Duco Telgenkamp came closest with a tip-in, but his effort flew over Meijer’s goal. The only thing that increased explosively was the irritation of the Rotterdam players in particular about the sometimes confused whistling of the Belgian referee Magali Sergeant.

Farmers breaks the score open

Two minutes after the start of the final quarter, the first goal fell. Menno Boeren took advantage of a rebound from a Jeroen Hertzberger penalty corner to give Rotterdam a 1-0 lead. Shortly after that opening goal, Rik Sprengers had the ideal chance to equalize, but the Kampong striker completely mowed over the ball in free position.

Both teams continued to expend energy, but they rarely created big chances. When two minutes before time Kampong brought goalkeeper Estiaan Kriek to the side to force a final offensive, it got the lid on the nose immediately. In a quick counter Pepijn van der Heijden was able to reach Thijs van Dam, who easily ran the ball into an empty goal: 0-2 and end of match.