The NK Youth is about to start. And they are only too happy about that in the Korner house. Sisters Malou (Rotterdam MO18-1) and Nanouk (Rotterdam MO16-1) both play – for the first time, without counting the hall – in a national final. And that brings with it the necessary tension. “This is truly a dream come true.”
The sisters are friends, who sometimes have a bit of a fight. The oldest is seventeen years old, the youngest is fifteen. They live five minutes by bike from the hockey club. The place where they have been walking around for at least ten years. So real Rotterdammers. Until about four years ago they combined hockey with skating and inline skating, but eventually opted for a team sport. A choice that worked out well. Because maybe the Korners will both have a gold medal around their neck on Saturday afternoon.
‘Malou’s story is actually the most special’, says Nanouk. ‘Just say bizarre. Really bizarre.’
The youngest Korner is right. Her older sister was in the O18-2 this season. She has been training with the first team for a few months now. She has been added to the selection for the last three weeks. And she runs the entire route towards the Dutch National Championships final.
‘I had to go to school in the meantime’
‘I’m so happy how it turned out’, says Malou. ‘It really doesn’t get any better than this.’ Actually, her season would have been over for a long time. But in recent weeks she has been on the training field more than ever, while she is also busy with her test week. She is in the fifth year of pre-university education. ‘Today I had school exams in English and Dutch. Those are my last tests. I’m glad it’s over. With all that training and all those video analyses, it was pretty tough. Of course you should just move on in the meantime. But I survived.’
The pair could be found at school or on the field lately. At the kitchen table it was also only about hockey. ‘Our parents don’t play hockey, but they are super fanatics’, says Nanouk, who had her exam week for the fourth year of havo two weeks ago. “You can feel the tension here,” the youngest continues. ‘If we’re not nervous, our parents are’, her older sister adds. ‘They think it’s super cool that their two daughters will play finals. In our own stadium.’
If we are to believe the sisters, the entire Korner family will come to Rotterdam on Saturday. ‘I think our mother told the whole world,’ concludes Malou. ‘I recently walked in the Albert Heijn and I was approached by several people about the final. Funny, right? They all knew. And you know, they haven’t heard that from me.’
Pancakes on Friday
Mom and Dad Korner haven’t had it easy either. It is true that there were no test weeks, but at home they ate the same meal as standard last Friday evenings. No tenderloin, salmon fillet, curry or pasta, but… pancakes. That has become our ritual. It brings real happiness,’ says Malou. ‘Happy pancakes. And I can tell you, it really won’t get boring’, Nanouk laughs.
On the phone, the two sound practically the same. Enthusiastic, cozy and with a light Rotterdam accent. But if you saw the sisters in real life, you wouldn’t say they’re related. Malou has light blond hair and is a real defender, Nanouk has brown locks and can usually be found as a right center on the field.
‘Malou is a very strong defender with a good overview. She is social and works well in the team. She also has leadership in her. And she always wants the best’, Nanouk describes her older sister. Words that make Malou a little embarrassed. ‘Nice to hear. Nanouk is super technical and good on the ball. You can put her anywhere. She has a good overview and is all-round.’
Nanouk bites off the striker on Saturday. At ten o’clock she will play the final against her peers from Little Switzerland. ‘Are we going to win? A hundred percent. I can not wait.’ Later in the day (at 2.15 pm against Kampong) it is the eldest Korner’s turn. ‘We will do everything we can to keep the national title in Rotterdam’, Malou looks ahead. “This is a dream come true.”
But can the two actually encourage each other? ‘I don’t think so’, says Malou. ‘The advice of the staff is not to look. Then you feel their tension. If they lose, that’s on your mind. But I think I’ll see anyway, from the clubhouse. At least the first half, after that we will have breakfast together with our team.’
Medals above the fireplace
And what if the duo wins two gold medals? ‘Then we’ll hang them on the front door,’ Nanouk calls enthusiastically over the phone. Until she herself comes to the conclusion that this is not the most convenient place. ‘Maybe with all our hockey gear’, Malou thinks. A kind of walk-in closet that they themselves made a mess of. ‘It doesn’t smell good there’, Nanouk is honest. ‘Oh, then above the fireplace’, they think together. “I’m sure our parents will approve.”
It’s Friday afternoon. Almost time for the batter, icing sugar and syrup. Indeed, for the last time, the lucky pancakes will also be on the table this week.
by Hockey.nl
