Hall Season Game 3 – DOS ’46 4 vs. Victum/War Child 2
Coops’ final game before returning home was also her first experience of the atmosphere that engulfs De Eendracht on a home game weekend for DOS ’46. If you want to know more about how De Hel Van Nijeveen hums, read my post from two weeks ago (if you haven’t already) when the hall season began.
It was exciting to be back in the Netherlands after spending the week exploring Berlin (I am in the process of writing some articles about that so keep your eyes peeled but I can confirm four days is not long enough to explore this great city!). Arriving back and hearing the guttural Dutch language again gave me this sense of returning home. Yes, I said home. New Zealand is and will always be home but for now Nijeveen (even though we reside in Dieverbrug) and the Netherlands is my new home.
We arrived at De Eendracht so I could perform my usual medic duties for A1. This was the start of a successful game day for DOS ’46 (unfortunately with the exception of our DOS ’46 4 which will be recounted later). DOS ’46 A1 were up against DVO A1 and quite simply outperformed the visitors in every aspect of the game. It was a pleasure to watch from the sideline as DOS ’46 scored the first six goals and never looked back. Built on an outstanding defensive effort and the ability to score goals in a variety of ways, the home side crushed their opponents 25-14, much to the appreciation of the supporters.
As a magnificent sunset took place outside the hall, DOS ’46 3 hosted Rust Roest 2 inside Nijeveen’s cauldron. The ever-improving third side had a comfortable win 26-13. DOS ’46 2 were up against Deetos-Snel 3 in the following game. The A-selection of DOS has been hit with injuries to three of the four starting dames from the eerste (first) team. The reshuffle in the female ranks did not affect the ability of DOS ’46 to dominate their opposition. After an initial battle DOS ’46 2 eased away to win 23-18 and continue the success of the club at De Eendracht. Then arrived the influx of supporters and activity that surrounds the eerste team. Although De Eendracht was not as packed as for the opening game of the season, the local derby against SCO, there was still several hundred onlookers hoping to witness DOS ’46 1 maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The home side did not disappoint as a solid performance in front of the vocal crowd reinforced the reputation of De Eendracht as De Hel Van Nijeveen, final score 23-13.
Coops’ final game of her Korfball Odyssey had arrived with our DOS ’46 4 team playing against Victum/War Child 2 from Houten, Utrecht. Coops began the game in aanval with Niek, Jordy and Lysanne; I started in verdediging with Kelvin, Jaro and Geerike. Things were looking positive early on in the game. Despite play being a bit messy the teams traded goals early and no team was able to dominate the scoreboard. However soon afterwards the chance to send Coops out on a winning note began to get further out of reach. Our better organised opponents were able to control the rebound well at both ends of the court, leading to short attacking sequences for us while Victum 2 were able to score from sometimes lengthy attacks with multiple shots. I certainly threw a couple of bad passes that added to the disruption in our offence.
With a plan to try a play simple korfball in the second half and to enjoy ourselves as much as possible for Coops’ last wedstrijd, the scoreboard only worsened. Victum 2’s superior shooting ability and control of the rebound stretched their lead further and further as the score line began to blow out. The highlight of the second half for us was Coops’ ceremonial substitution with 15 minutes to play, receiving a DOS ’46 playing top with her name and ‘46’ printed on the back. Our fourth team could not cap off DOS ‘46’s successful day, losing 11-29. Coops’ was also presented with a track suit from the DOS ’46 board after the game, giving her more memories to pack into her bag for the journey home.
After not being able to run without pain a month ago it was a relief to get through a full game without any Achilles pain. I have also found that my level of play has dropped because my mind has been thinking too much about the injury. Mistakes have crept back into my game that I had been able to eliminate by the end of the outdoor season. It is an interesting lesson to learn, one that no doubt will aid me in recovery from any future injuries as well as having a better understanding of injury recovery when I work with sports teams as a physiotherapist.
Someone who is also familiar with getting back into the groove post injury is DOS ’46 1 team member Sven Jonker who had a long recovery following a severe ankle injury in the final game of last season. I had a chat with Sven after the game. He tells me it has been interesting reading these posts and hearing an outsiders perspective on korfball in the Netherlands and the DOS ’46 environment. Sven, who started his korfball career at a different club, said, “It is easy to become used to the atmosphere at DOS ’46 because that is just normal. Reading about the club from an outsiders view has made me to look around and remember that DOS ’46 is unique and special”.
Maybe in that way I can give a little more back to the club that continues to do so much for me. As the wise Fred Dagg (a New Zealand icon for those non-kiwis reading this) sings, “We don’t know how lucky we are”.
Farewell Coops, enjoy your return home. No doubt DOS ’46 and this Odyssey will always hold a special place in your memories.
Lorenzo
Coops’ final game before returning home was also her first experience of the atmosphere that engulfs De Eendracht on a home game weekend for DOS ’46. If you want to know more about how De Hel Van Nijeveen hums, read my post from two weeks ago (if you haven’t already) when the hall season began.
It was exciting to be back in the Netherlands after spending the week exploring Berlin (I am in the process of writing some articles about that so keep your eyes peeled but I can confirm four days is not long enough to explore this great city!). Arriving back and hearing the guttural Dutch language again gave me this sense of returning home. Yes, I said home. New Zealand is and will always be home but for now Nijeveen (even though we reside in Dieverbrug) and the Netherlands is my new home.
We arrived at De Eendracht so I could perform my usual medic duties for A1. This was the start of a successful game day for DOS ’46 (unfortunately with the exception of our DOS ’46 4 which will be recounted later). DOS ’46 A1 were up against DVO A1 and quite simply outperformed the visitors in every aspect of the game. It was a pleasure to watch from the sideline as DOS ’46 scored the first six goals and never looked back. Built on an outstanding defensive effort and the ability to score goals in a variety of ways, the home side crushed their opponents 25-14, much to the appreciation of the supporters.
As a magnificent sunset took place outside the hall, DOS ’46 3 hosted Rust Roest 2 inside Nijeveen’s cauldron. The ever-improving third side had a comfortable win 26-13. DOS ’46 2 were up against Deetos-Snel 3 in the following game. The A-selection of DOS has been hit with injuries to three of the four starting dames from the eerste (first) team. The reshuffle in the female ranks did not affect the ability of DOS ’46 to dominate their opposition. After an initial battle DOS ’46 2 eased away to win 23-18 and continue the success of the club at De Eendracht. Then arrived the influx of supporters and activity that surrounds the eerste team. Although De Eendracht was not as packed as for the opening game of the season, the local derby against SCO, there was still several hundred onlookers hoping to witness DOS ’46 1 maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The home side did not disappoint as a solid performance in front of the vocal crowd reinforced the reputation of De Eendracht as De Hel Van Nijeveen, final score 23-13.
Coops’ final game of her Korfball Odyssey had arrived with our DOS ’46 4 team playing against Victum/War Child 2 from Houten, Utrecht. Coops began the game in aanval with Niek, Jordy and Lysanne; I started in verdediging with Kelvin, Jaro and Geerike. Things were looking positive early on in the game. Despite play being a bit messy the teams traded goals early and no team was able to dominate the scoreboard. However soon afterwards the chance to send Coops out on a winning note began to get further out of reach. Our better organised opponents were able to control the rebound well at both ends of the court, leading to short attacking sequences for us while Victum 2 were able to score from sometimes lengthy attacks with multiple shots. I certainly threw a couple of bad passes that added to the disruption in our offence.
With a plan to try a play simple korfball in the second half and to enjoy ourselves as much as possible for Coops’ last wedstrijd, the scoreboard only worsened. Victum 2’s superior shooting ability and control of the rebound stretched their lead further and further as the score line began to blow out. The highlight of the second half for us was Coops’ ceremonial substitution with 15 minutes to play, receiving a DOS ’46 playing top with her name and ‘46’ printed on the back. Our fourth team could not cap off DOS ‘46’s successful day, losing 11-29. Coops’ was also presented with a track suit from the DOS ’46 board after the game, giving her more memories to pack into her bag for the journey home.
After not being able to run without pain a month ago it was a relief to get through a full game without any Achilles pain. I have also found that my level of play has dropped because my mind has been thinking too much about the injury. Mistakes have crept back into my game that I had been able to eliminate by the end of the outdoor season. It is an interesting lesson to learn, one that no doubt will aid me in recovery from any future injuries as well as having a better understanding of injury recovery when I work with sports teams as a physiotherapist.
Someone who is also familiar with getting back into the groove post injury is DOS ’46 1 team member Sven Jonker who had a long recovery following a severe ankle injury in the final game of last season. I had a chat with Sven after the game. He tells me it has been interesting reading these posts and hearing an outsiders perspective on korfball in the Netherlands and the DOS ’46 environment. Sven, who started his korfball career at a different club, said, “It is easy to become used to the atmosphere at DOS ’46 because that is just normal. Reading about the club from an outsiders view has made me to look around and remember that DOS ’46 is unique and special”.
Maybe in that way I can give a little more back to the club that continues to do so much for me. As the wise Fred Dagg (a New Zealand icon for those non-kiwis reading this) sings, “We don’t know how lucky we are”.
Farewell Coops, enjoy your return home. No doubt DOS ’46 and this Odyssey will always hold a special place in your memories.
Lorenzo