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FC Groningen | the history

14 July 2014

A profile of this week’s Europa League opponents- FC Groningen of the Netherlands

Famous players of GVAV when they were in the highest division in Holland were goalkeeper Tonny van Leeuwen (who died at the age of 28, one day before FC Groningen was founded), defender Martin Koeman, midfielder Piet Fransen and striker Rikkert Lacrois. In the former stadium of FC Groningen, Stadium Oosterpark (1933-2005) there was a stand named after Tonny van Leeuwen. In the current stadium the three main stands are named after Tonny van Leeuwen (north kop), Piet Fransen (east side) and de Koeman-family (south kop).

In the history of FC Groningen the sons of Martin Koeman played in the late '70's and early '80's for FC Groningen. Ronald and Erwin Koeman had great international careers afterwards and became European champions in 1988 with The Netherlands. After their playing careers finished they became coaches and this season they will be manage English Premiership side Southampton together. In 1990/1991 FC Groningen came close to the Championship in the Dutch Eredivisie and ended at an all-time high third place. Two years earlier FC Groningen played the Dutch Cupfinal and lost to PSV (4-1).

After 18 years on the highest level FC Groningen were relegated in 1998 but gained promoted in 2000 through play-offs. The year 2000 was the start of a new era Erwin van de Looifor the club. Plans were made for a new and modern stadium and the club was aiming to play European football after the early exits in 1991 and 1992. Arjen Robben played for FC Groningen between 1996 (youth) and 2002 before he transferred to PSV. In 2006 Groningen moved to Euroborg Stadium and immediately reached the playoffs in the Eredivisie. In 2006 and 2007 FC Groningen qualified for the UEFA Cup and played against Partizan Beograd and Fiorentina in the play-off stage. Coach Ron Jans was clubs most successful ever coach between 2002 and 2010. Former Rangers player Pieter Huistra and Robert Maaskant then took over. Huistra served as head coach for two full seasons but after narrowly avoiding relegation he was sacked.

A new coach, named Erwin van de Looi then took the hot seat. Van de Looi once played for Groningen, became trainer/coach in youth department before stepping up to be the new coach. He made his debut in 2013/2014 and reached the play-offs to play in this season's Europa League.

This will be the tenth appearance of FCGroningen in UEFA competitions (ex. Three Intertoto-participations). After impressing in 2013/2014 many of the Groningen players were in the spotlight. Young striker Richairo Zivkovic moved to Ajax and was replaced by Danny Hoesen. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot left for Belgium as Sergio Padt came the opposite way. Furthermore Jarchinio Antonia, Dino Islamovic and former youth player Martijn van der Laan also came in this season.


FC Groningen | the squad | 2014/15

No/ Name/ DofB/ Nationality/ Position    
1    Sergio Padt    06/06/1990    NL    Goalkeeper
26    Stefan van der Lei    05/03/1993    NL    Goalkeeper    
2    Johan Kappelhof    05/08/1990    NL    Defender    
3    Eric Botteghin    31/08/1987    BRA    Defender    
4    Martijn van der Laan    29/07/1988    NL    Defender    
5    Lorenzo Burnet    11/01/1991    NL    Defender    
14    William Ekong    01/09/1993    NL    Defender    out on loan
15    Nick Bakker    21/07/1992    NL    Defender    
29    Stefano Magnasco    28/09/1992    CHL    Defender    
33    Hans Hateboer    09/01/1994    NL    Defender
6    Maikel Kieftenbeld    26/06/1990    NL    Midfielder    
8    Michael de Leeuw    07/10/1986    NL    Midfielder    
10    Tjaronn Chery    04/06/1988    NL    Midfielder    
16    Hilal Ben Moussa    22/05/1992    NL    Midfielder    out on loan
20    Yoëll van Nieff    17/06/1993    NL    Midfielder    
21    Rasmus Lindgren    29/11/1984    ZWE    Midfielder    
22    Paco van Moorsel    15/12/1989    NL    Midfielder    
23    Nick van der Velden    16/12/1981    NL    Midfielder    
24    Tom Hiariej    25/07/1988    NL    Midfielder    
7    Jarchinio Antonia    27/12/1990    NL    Forward    
9    Danny Hoesen    15/01/1991    NL    Forward    
11    Filip Kostic    01/11/1992    SER    Forward    
18    Henk Bos    12/11/1992    NL    Forward    
19    Dino Islamovic    17/01/1994    ZWE    Forward    
36    Género Zeefuik    05/04/1990    NL    Forward

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