At the NK Zaal for Reserve Teams, many a former hockey player made an appearance. Robbert van de Peppel and Timmo Kranstauber (HDM Heren 3), all of Pinoké Dames 3 and Gitte Michels and Melissa Pieters (Almere Dames 2) for example. Bloemendaal’s Men’s 2 had former hall international Matthijs Odekerken under the crossbar, who retired from top field hockey last year after nine seasons at SCHC. All of a sudden he became Dutch champion with his new indoor team. ‘We haven’t had any training.’
His new teammates are no strangers to Odekerken. A native of Bloemendaal, he played in his youth at HBS, a stone’s throw from field hockey club Bloemendaal. ‘There I was on the team with Max Vergnes and Freek Martens, among others, who now also played on this team. Others from this team played field hockey at Bloemendaal, so we always ran into each other. On the field I now train with Bloemendaal Heren 1, especially when Maurits Visser is away with the Dutch national team. That’s how I was asked to join Heren 2 in the hall.’
The indoor switch to Bloemendaal’s second team fits perfectly into Odekerken’s new phase of life. With his girlfriend he moved from Utrecht to Bloemendaal. Last summer he also became a father. ‘I wanted to have the weekends off, so that’s why I’m not stuck in a team. I did want to make an exception for the hall. It really is a group of friends who have known each other since the old days. Most of them have been playing field hockey together since they were seven. Even boys who play at a high level on the field at another club, such as Pelle Vos (Laren) and Max Vergnes (HBS), come together in the winter to play field hockey together in this team.’
Odekerken in action during the NK – before Bloemendaal, in SCHC jersey. Photo: Bart Scheulderman
With Odekerken – still dressed in SCHC shirt during the NK finals day – Bloemendaal’s second team immediately had a very good one on its hands. Apart from his years of experience, the goalkeeper played in the Dutch indoor team. With that he won gold at the 2018 European Championship for B countries. ‘We haven’t had any training. One practice match in early December against HBS: that was all. We didn’t have a coach. Still, we won all the matches, so it went pretty well. Everyone’s basic technique is just good and everyone plays at a high level or has played big league. That got us far,” Odekerken said with a sense of understatement.
Stopped battle
For years, the closing post played with SCHC at the highest level and in the Promotion League. Last season the Bilthoven players promoted once again to the big league, but not with the experienced goalkeeper under the crossbar. Odekerken had to make way for Fritz Schnoeckel. An old acquaintance of Odekerken.
A year and a half ago Odekerken (far right) gave up the fight for the position as first goalie of SCHC in favor of Fritz Schnoeckel. Photo: Bart Scheulderman
‘Fritz took over my spot when I went from HBS to SCHC. A year and a half ago he did want to try out for SCHC; the team of his roommate Max Sweering. With that, it became a battle between Fritz and me. Fair is fair: he did that better. It didn’t come out wrong for me. My attention was increasingly turning to my life outside of field hockey. My job, buying a house, starting a family. So at one point I also indicated to our coach Jeroen Groenheijde and Fritz that I was quitting. There was a very good chance that Fritz would have won anyway. He was just better. And that was fine. I had been around so long by now that I wasn’t as worried about not being selected as I was ten years ago.’
Shining for a while
So Odekerken slowly kicked off top field hockey. He went to full training. Only the matches he left to Schnoeckel. During the playoffs against Laren he sat on the bench as second goalie. I did that with all the love. I definitely still felt a connection with the team. I played there for nine years, trained three times a week. But other things became much more important. I also feel from everything that my decision was a good one. I really like my life now. It is wonderful to have the weekends free, together with the little one and my girlfriend.’
And yet … Judging by his glistening eyes, his temporary return to the league was certainly not just a favor to friends. ‘The extra love for the hall is still there. I really enjoy the game. You get more to do than on the court and can play chess when you are well matched. I thoroughly enjoyed that. And then to finish it with gold, isn’t it nice?
by Hockey.nl
