Football, cycling, Formula 1, hockey, skating, athletics, rugby: the true sports fan has plenty to enjoy every weekend. But what should we really stay home for? Our analysts Robbert and Hein look ahead to the sports weekend here.
The transfer of the 2024 sporting year?
Hein: Shall we start with the transfer of the year this week, Robbert? As of this week, the Netherlands has a two-time Olympic winter champion, thanks to the Dutch mother of alpine skier Marcel Hirscher. Born in Austria, won 2 gold and 1 silver for that country, retired since 2019. But Marcel always had a feeling that he would have loved to represent his motherland. And after his spectacular comeback, it will actually happen.
Robbert: What do I see there, Hein? Do you go with ‘would have liked to end up with’ the new grammatical variant of Connie Palmen, as described in NRC? Then let’s go play football after your interesting ski opening. Did you understand that penalty and red card from Ajax’s Steven Bergwijn against Excelsior? I understand the penalty, but red…? Isn’t that a double punishment for the same offense? When I think of a ‘breaking through player’ I think more of a violation outside the 16.
Hein: Exactly what you say, Robbert. A clear penalty, but that red card made no sense. That’s what you get when you deprive the opponent of a goal-ready opportunity, a case of guaranteed scoring? I don’t think there was any question of that. And in the end, Ajax’s 10 can still be happy with a point at home against Excelsior. Anyway, I believe they have bigger concerns in Amsterdam at the moment, despite the return of TD Alex Kroes?
Robbert: While they argue there, at a specially convened meeting on Johan Cruijff’s birthday, they prepare for the championship party in Eindhoven. And in Rotterdam they are polishing the KNVB Cup again before adding it to the trophy cabinet. A world of difference.
Will champion PSV soon have the kingdom alone?
Hein: Speaking of symbolic days: PSV can put the crowning glory on Liberation Day. We have actually been waiting for it all season, but on May 5, at Sparta’s home, the bowl will finally return to the Philips Stadium. And then coach Peter Bosz has finally won his well-deserved national title. Feyenoord colleague Arne Slot will probably also receive a nice reward, namely a top transfer to Liverpool.
Robbert: You mean ‘Team Slot’, because Sipke Hulshoff will probably go along with this trainer who brought something tangible every season. In the 1st year the (lost) Conference League final, in the 2nd year the national championship and in the 3rd year the cup. Always a prize, if a 2nd place can also count as a prize. The man is also a perfect poster boy for any club that does business with him: well-spoken and with good manners. But above all, someone who can convey his vision to the group of players.
Hein: I’m already looking forward to the next Eredivisie season. Do you also think that PSV will have the reigns alone next season? It remains to be seen what the selection will look like next season, but the organization will be in Eindhoven. While Feyenoord has to continue without its best coach of this century, even better than UEFA Cup winner Bert van Marwijk. And Ajax has been struggling with its own identity for some time.
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Too light and too heavy athletes
Robbert: From ‘wrestling’ I bridge the gap to the European Judo Championships in Zagreb. Important qualifying moment for the games. Heavyweights Jelle Snippe and Jur Spijkers duel for that one spot in Paris. And then the World Cup in Abu Dhabi still has to come. Then we will know. For the ladies in the heaviest category (+78 kg), Marit Kamps and Karen Stevenson, the same story applies 1 on 1. Both come from lighter weight classes and have had to put on a lot of weight.
Hein: Then we have a judoka who is just too heavy, Tornike Tsjakadoea. He competes in the weight class under 60 kilos, but he is just above that. Getting to the right weight so that you can even participate is a sport in itself… Shall we continue with cycling? We thoroughly enjoyed the spring classics, but now it’s time for the big tour. The Giro d’Italia starts next week, but first make way for the Vuelta Feminina. Demi Vollering can take revenge in Spain for her 2nd place behind Annemiek van Vleuten last year, after the infamous bathroom break incident. But La Demi of 2024 is not La Demi of 2023.
Robbert: You can say that yes! How she gave it away in the sprint at Liège-Bastogne-Liège can only be categorized as a very expensive mistake. After Lorena Wiebes cheering too early in the Amstel Gold Race, that makes 2 blunders at SD Worx in just 1 week. As for Demi, it looks like she’s lost her punch uphill a bit.
Transfer troubles and lifetime achievement award for Diede de Groot
Hein: Could it have to do with the well-known transfer problems in recent months with her current team? Because 2024 is shaping up to be a very special transfer year: Marcel Hirscher to the Netherlands, Demi Vollering to leave SD Worx, Arne Slot perhaps to Liverpool, Lewis Hamilton to leave Ferrari, Mark Rutte to NATO… And Jutta Leerdam will leave Jumbo-Visma (as the skating branch is still called). What should we think of that, Robbert?
Robbert: I expect that the sponsors will report very quickly if this has been proven influencer wants to start a team yourself. I also think that other teams would like to recruit her. I’m not worried about her, any more than I am about wheelchair tennis great Diede de Groot. Boy, did she win a cool prize this week: the Laureus Award.
Hein: “You are truly an inspiration. It’s incredible, an inspiring story. Your resilience and determination are truly fantastic. Keep going, you inspire a lot of people.” Was signed, fellow great Novak Djovokic, who cheerfully broke into Diede’s interview with the NOS. This kind of compliments is actually the coolest prize of all.
(Photo: Christian Bruna/EPA-EFE)
