2′
Scot Doodeman
The first chance is for Willem II. Nick Doodeman is allowed to shoot from 20 meters, he aims over.
1′
Fireworks
Fireworks in the stands and outside the stadium. There’s something at stake tonight.
19:49
End of warm-up
Willem II and FC Groningen have finished their warm-up. Countdown to the start of the match now.
19:24
Warm-up
Willem II and FC Groningen have started the warm-up.
19:15
There are the goalkeepers! And just hear that audience!
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
19:14
Will the ‘fantastic story’ of Willem II and Maes have a wonderful final chapter?
It is not completely ‘all or nothing’ for Willem II against FC Groningen. A victory in the top match against the direct competitor means that promotion to the Premier League is a fact, if points are lost there will in any case be a second chance for the Tricolores. But, as trainer Peter Maes emphasizes: “We are going to use everything we can.”
Willem II trained twice behind closed doors in the run-up to tonight’s match. Maes told us yesterday why he did that and how he looks at the match against FC Groningen.
19:00
Willem II supporters pinch it: ‘Let happiness last just a little while longer’
He’s sure. “We are going to win,” says Willem II supporter Antoine Hijstek in Udenhout. “Nervous,” is the answer from Jan Heij in the Berkdijksestraat in Tilburg when asked about his state of mind in the run-up to the match on Friday evening.
Antoine does not dare to make a prediction. ,,It is a final match, the players know that. You have to win that, that’s it. We have it in our own hands. Playing at home with the audience as the twelfth man makes a big difference for the players. We are going to encourage them.”
What other supporters think? And how they decorated their house and garden? You can read and see that here.
18:47
For the sake of completeness: also the lineups of FC Groningen
The guests from Groningen also start with the same line-up as last week, when they won 3-0 against Cambuur-Leeuwarden. This also applies to goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus, who received a red card in the 51st minute. The print was shelved, so it can simply be placed under the bar.
Jurjus; Bacuna, Rente, Blokzijl, Peersman; Schreuders, Hove, Duarte, Valente; Postema and Van Bergen.
Bank: Baron, Meijster, Maatta, Pelupessy, Bakker, Beukers, Bouland, De Jonge, Emeran, Mariani, Mendes and Slor.
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
18:42
The starting eleven of Willem II, with indeed no changes
Smith; Heerkens, Behounek, Schouten, Nizet; Doodeman, Bosch, Verreth, Meerveld; Hilterman and Oosting.
Bench: Van den Berg, Schut, Sigurgeirsson, De Waal, Svensson, Joosten, Bokila, Vermeulen, De Leeuw, Lachkar and Razak.
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
18:34
Little to no changes expected at Willem II, line-up to follow
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
18:28
The visitors from Groningen have arrived
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
18:24
Flashback to Jeredy Hilterman’s golden goal
William II, as is known, rose match point this evening. For the second away match in a row, the Tricolores finally scored a point against Jong FC Utrecht (1-1) and MVV (1-1) respectively. Lifesaver? Almere City mercenary Jeredy Hilterman twice.
Was it promotional nerves or was it one of those competitions that you experience once in a while in the Kitchen Champion Division? Hilterman was certainly disappointed with the game that the Tilburg team showed. ,,It was really lousy. You can come up with all kinds of plans in advance, but if you play like that, there is no point.”
Although there were also bright spots for the match against MVV. You can read what these are here.
18:01
Two hours until kick-off!
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
17:57
It certainly won’t be on the turf tonight…
Unfortunately, we cannot show this social post, live blog or otherwise because it contains one or more social media elements. Accept the social media cookies to still show this content.
17:48
Frank (35) has to choose between his two great football loves
He hopes for a victory for Willem II, but thinks that Groningen will win and he can live with a draw. Frank Metsemakers (35) is having a torn week. He is the only Tilburg citizen with an FC Groningen season ticket. Although he also has one from Willem II. “I am extremely nervous about that pot.”
His love for the club blossoms when Metsemakers, born near Venlo, goes to study in Tilburg. He has a permanent place in section H with a permanent group of nine friends. “I have lived in Brabant for seventeen years and am devoted to Willem II.”
But how does he end up at FC Groningen? You can read here how an American football player and a heartbreaking story ensured that Frank also has green-white blood running through his body.
17:31
Fancy a Willem II pastry? Then you have to go to this bakery tomorrow morning (provided promotion is a fact)
Do they already sell tompouces or other pastries with a Willem II logo on them? No, is the answer from many Tilburg bakers. “Everything is orange with us now.” But there is one where the pastry chefs are ready for Saturday morning.
If Willem II manages to win at home against Groningen on Friday evening and thus secures promotion, the bakers will get to work early on Saturday morning to make petit fours with a Willem II logo. “A delicious pastry,” says Vesseur.
The dessert is only available at one branch of Meesterbakker Van Iersel. You can read here which one it is and from what time you can join the queue.
17:17
Meet Merijn Goris, the new general director of Willem II
At the beginning of this week it was all set: Merijn Goris (36) will become the new general manager of Willem II as of July 1. He follows Martin van Geel (63) with the Tilburgers. Goris has signed a contract for an indefinite period.
As a little boy, Goris already had a Willem II season ticket, subsequently held several positions in the business world and traveled all over the world, but the Goirle resident continued to visit Tricolores matches as a fanatic supporter. Now he is really returning to his roots. Read the first introduction to Merijn Goris here.
