Thursday 01 January
Rotterdam Jaguars 1 vs. Groningen Gladiators @ Amsterdam: 28th of February 2010. It was a cloudy, cold and windy day.
Starting Line-up Jaguars:
Peter van Oostende, Kolijn Venema, Stefan van de Ven, Adrian Marcinkowski, Ricardo Boelhouwers, Rutger van Bennekum, Paul Blijs, Chris Snaga,Owen Zachariasse, Adam Death
Substitute Jaguars:
Nick Muller (Coach), Michel Strooij, Peder van den Berg, Eddie Oliviera, Max Strack-Zimmermann, Jasper Grünfeld, Ingmar Klienbannink, Erik Vogels,
The Rotterdam Jaguars are only able to take the field about 5minutes prior to face-off. This leaves the Jaguars with no time for a proper warm-up but only 2 laps, a short stretch and a 3mins partner-passing-drill. The Groningen Gladiators have lined up at the midline to, what it seems like, stare down and intimidate the Rotterdam players as they warm up. I guess this is supposed set the tone for a hard-fought, non-forgiving game.
Captains are called to the refs for the coin-toss, which Rotterdam goes on to win. The Rotterdam goalie Peter van Oostende decides to defend the Rotterdam half of the field as the sun is of no importance on this miserable day in Amsterdam.
On the game is on...
It is quite evident that the Gladiator offence is trying, hard, to keep the ball out of the Rotterdam offence. Groningen takes their time, handles the ball carefully and is eager to take smart, controlled and open shots. It looks like the Rotterdam defence has to stay alert all day today. The circle-offence of Groningen is moving the ball well around the outside, constantly looking for a skip/dump- pass to one of the Middis cutting to Jaguars crease. The continuous movement demands high concentration from the Rotterdam defenders and midis.
Eventually, the Gladiators are wearing down the Rotterdam defence and have a couple of tallies by numbers #37, #25 and again #25 assisted by #15. The Rotterdam Jaguars are fighting hard, playing solid D but are taking poor shots on offence, or generally do not handle the ball well, leading to a loss of possession which Groningen will use to kill time off the clock.
Owen Zachariasse has his first tally for the Jaguars, after a strong dodge and bulling his way in front of the Gladiator cage. The Jaguars are eager to push the cage but run into the strong and tight defensive unit of the Gladiators. Despite strong Groningen Defence the Jaguars keep attacking the cage and are rewarded by a goal from their midfield unit after a goal by Jasper Groeneveld assisted by Rutger van Bennekum.
Despite Rotterdam's best efforts, it is clear that the groundball work, patience, communication and man-up-offence needs to improve. Clearly definded midi-lines, delegated by Rotterdam coach Paul Akkerman, keep the gamespeed and tenaciousness of the Jaguars very high. Even though the Jaguars are trailing the Gladiators at half-time it is obvious that this game is far from over. Clearly, the Jaguars team travelled to 020 for nothing but a "W" from Groningen. The group spirit and will to fight is strong among the Rotterdam Players.
The Rotterdam team is getting stronger and stronger during this game. Groningen, obviously very worried, tries to stick to their original gameplan- trying to keep the ball out of their defensive half. Determined Rotterdam midi-"D" and strong Longpole-"D" is pressuring the Groningen offence. Nevertheless, Groningen is able to score two goals through #5 and #4, assisted by #16. The Gladiators also have two pipes....
Unfaced by the Groningen offence, Rotterdam is eager to play hard defence and bring the ball to the offensive half. The hard hustle is rewarded and Paul Blijs uses an unsettled groundball situation in the Gladiator crease to score a hockey-like goal. It wasn't pretty but the Rotterdam Jaguars will take it as their hard work is rewarded. As the Rotterdam confidence is growing the players feel that it is the time to push even harder. A set offensive play, completely confuses the Groningen defence and allows Chris Snaga to score an easy goal after a beautiful assist by Owen Zachariasse. This goal just tied the game. It is 5 - 5 now, Groningen looks very worried. Rotterdam looks sharp, determined: they want that "W"!
There are only a few more minutes in the game. The game is tied at 5. Both teams have a 1 or 2 offensive sets but are unable to capitalize. Groningen is playing desperate D, trying to prevent another upset. However, the Gladiators take another penaltie, 1 of their 7 penalties they have in the game. Rotterdam only had 2 penalties in the game, with 1 being a questionable "push" call.
Rotterdam will go man-up with only a couple more minutes to go. The Jaguars are controlling the ball well in their man-up-set and manage to bring it down to the bottom-right to Nick Muller who executives his "signature-move" perfectly, beating his defender, bullying his way in front of the cage and scoring to give the Rotterdam Jaguars the game-winner.
Only 2 more minutes to go....
After a won face-off by Rutger van Bennekum the veteran Jaguars player Adam Death will run off the clock making the 1st Jaguars win of the season official.
FINAL SCORE: Rotterdam Jaguars 6 - Groningen Gladiators 5
- written by: Chris
