While Sanne Koolen was preparing for the battle for the EHL title in Den Bosch on Easter Monday, another special Koolen moment played out fifty kilometers away. At the Fletiomare complex in De Meern, her brother Joep, who is two years younger, stood in the final of the Silver Cup. A title match without stadium and live stream, but with at least as many enthusiastic supporters. And the cup win for Union. ‘Finally I am also the one who comes home with a title.’
As a defender of the Dutch national team, Sanne Koolen has won everything there is to win. Olympic gold. World titles. So many national titles that the trophy cabinet at home has long since overflowed. And on Monday another first prize in the EHL. For her little brother Joep (27), a regular in Union Men’s 1 for seven seasons, it was always a far cry from his bed show. Promotion was never in the cards for the midfielder. Certainly not a final. And thus no medal around his neck.
Until this Monday afternoon. With a sensational 5-4 victory over Delta Venlo, Union took the Silver Cup for the first time in club history. ‘At least Sanne can’t say she has ever won the Silver Cup,’ he grinned afterwards, the cup firmly in his hands. ‘She’s normally the one who comes home with prizes, of course. I’m totally okay with that, but this still feels really nice. Especially since I’ve never won anything with Union before.’
Joep Koolen (third from the back) won his first title with Union. Photo: Willem Vernes
Passing the test for mom and dad Koolen
The prize was not only special for him. Pa and ma Koolen also experienced an intensive Easter day. Joep knocked off at 3 p.m. in De Meern. Sanne started her final in Den Bosch an hour later. ‘My mom came to my race first and then immediately drove on to Sanne. My father was already there. That’s basically how they always do it: see as much as possible, combine or split up. Sanne appreciates it even more than I do when they are there. So if they really have to choose, they go to her. Makes sense, too. I followed her EHL games online this weekend. Normally, of course, I would have just been there. But yes, I’m not going to rush to Den Bosch now to miss my own party.’
That party was well celebrated Monday night. Because although Union’s focus is on the league, this cup win is a welcome reward. The Nijmegen natives are at the top of First Class C and smell promotion. Ironically, their next opponent is again Delta Venlo, the number two with only two points less. ‘Today we didn’t play too well, maybe because of the tension,’ Koolen reflected. ‘If we want to catch them again next Sunday, we really have to do better. But I believe in this team. We are young, eager and hockey-wise strong enough to go to the Overgangsklasse. That’s where our real ambition lies.’
Koolen’s ambition with Union is clear: promotion to the ‘Overgangsklasse’. Photo: Willem Vernes
And so Joep Koolen – who radiates as much tranquility on and off the field as his sister – disappeared again among his teammates, at the beginning of an evening that would probably last until the early hours of the morning. Den Bosch also celebrated shortly afterwards, as Sanne won the EHL with Den Bosch after an easy 5-1 victory over Braxgata. So it was finally a double celebration in the Koolen home.
by Hockey.nl
