Netherlands:

The women of Breda and the men of Ede will also play in the Promotion League next season. Both teams finished tenth in the regular league and managed to survive the play-outs at and against Gooische. Ede did so by beating the Bussummers 1-3. Breda needed shoot-outs to ensure their survival.

Just like last Saturday, the game between Breda and Gooische ended 0-0 in regular playing time. There were certainly chances on this Whit Monday. Rosa Kooijmans slammed the ball hard against the crossbar on behalf of Gooische and at the other end Carlijn van Zijl Langhout stood eye to eye with goalkeeper Nadia Joosten.

In the second half Gooische pressed on and got six penalty corners, but each time the effort was not convincing. Breda also failed to get the ball, so shoot-outs had to bring the decision. In the sudden death, the goalkeepers proved to be particularly evenly matched. Both Joosten and Broeckx had two clear shots. When Broeckx also stopped the third in the extension, Jette Biemans finished the job on behalf of Breda. Happiness in Breda, while Gooische will play in the ‘Overgangsklasse’ again next season.

HFN250609261358 - Netherlands: - The women of Breda and the men of Ede will also play in the Promotion League next season. Both teams finished tenth in the regular league and managed to survive the play-outs at and against Gooische. Ede did so by beating the Bussummers 1-3. Breda needed shoot-outs to ensure their survival.

Joy at Breda after retaining the title. Photo: Bart Scheulderman

Effective Ede

The men from Ede had less trouble throwing a spanner in the works of a Gooische party. At the first penalty corner, Lucas Pouderoijen immediately scored a goal for the away team. The best goal of the day followed ten minutes later. Tijn Douglas rocketed the ball into the circle to slot it neatly behind Gooische goalkeeper Jeroen Kerkmeer. Given the pattern of play, Ede’s 0-2 lead was justified.

After halftime Gooische stepped it up a notch. With effect. A corner was unerringly pushed in by teenager Juup Krop. When Stijn Draaijer also scored a corner halfway through the fourth quarter on behalf of Ede, Gooische tried to squeeze out a final offensive with an extra field player at the expense of Kerkmeer. In vain. Next season we will see Ede back in the Promotion Division; for Gooische there is no other option than – just like the women – to cry it out and start all over again.