past Aberdeen v FC Twente games

Aberdeen have a long connection with football in Holland, most notably when former manager Alex Smith took several players from the Netherlands to Pittodrie during his time as manager.The Dons have also played Twente Enschede on three previous occasions. In what was Jimmy Calderwood’s first season in charge of Aberdeen he took his new side across to Holland where he cut his managerial teeth as part of the Dons pre-season build up.On 31^st July 2004 the Dons went down 3-0 in what was a convincing performance from the home side. Aberdeen had flown back from their trip to Holland to play Montrose in what was their 125^th year anniversary. The Aberdeen side that went down in Holland in 2004 was; Preece, Hart, McNaughton, Diamond, Anderson, Severin, Tosh, Heikkinen, Craig, Whelan and Clark.

The first occasion the sides met was an important one for Aberdeen. Although the friendly at Pittodrie on 12^th August 1980 had nothing at stake, the game was seen as a barometer for the Aberdeen chances against Austrian champions Memphis Vienna in what was the Dons first ever European Champions Cup tie the following month. As league champions in Scotland, Aberdeen were the team to beat and the visitors showed just how different the European arena would be as they shocked Aberdeen in a 2-1 win. Aberdeen go caught cold with an early goal and were guilty of missing a penalty late in the first half. It proved that life among the cream of Europe was not going to be easy. This was the Dons first defeat of the season in front of an 8,500 crowd. Keeper Jim Leighton was at fault for the opening goal after two minutes when he let a weak shot slip through his hands. Gordon Strachan missed a penalty to add to the Dons woes but it was the composure of the visitors while in possession that was to give manager Ferguson most concern. It was Otto who opened the scoring in two minutes and that did prompt a reaction from Aberdeen who did force the game for long spells and put the Holland side under pressure. Just before the break Strachan was brought down by Zondervan in the box but the Dons midfielder could not take advantage as his penalty came back of the post.

Aberdeen piled on the pressure in the second half and while the visitors looked lively on the break, Aberdeen were eventually rewarded in 62 minutes when Alex McLeish headed a Strachan corner past Van Gerven.After the goal the game got a bit heated and Strachan was involved in a brawl with a certain Martin Jol the current Fulham manager in a series of off the ball clashes. The game was decided in 75 minutes when Linsted pounce on a loose ball to hammer the ball past Jim Leighton.

Aberdeen: Leighton, Kennedy, McMaster, Watson, McLeish, Miller, Strachan, Cowan, McGhee, Hewitt, Scanlon. Subs; Considine and Simpson.

In 1990 the Dons were invited to take part in the Twente Enschede pre-season tournament. Apart from the hosts and Aberdeen, also taking part in the glamour tournament were German side Borussia Dortmund and Veloc Eindhoven. Aberdeen defeated the Eindhoven side to set up a clash with Dortmund. The Bundesliga giants were given a lesson by the Dons who went on to win 2-1 with Paul Mason scoring. That set up a final against the host side Twente. It took a late Hans Gillhaus goal to give Aberdeen a 1-1 draw which was enough to see Aberdeen as tournament winners. Alex McLeish lifted the trophy while Bobby Connor was named player of the tournament. The trip to Holland also saw Aberdeen clinch the signature of Peter Van de Ven which brought the Aberdeen Dutch contingent up to five. Kevin Stirling.

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