Female captains look forward to KNZB Supercup and the season
Next Saturday, the women of Polar Bears and ZV De Zaan face each other in the KNZB Supercup. Last May, the Zaandam players became national champions, in the Amersfoort Amerena the Bears will defend their Supercup title from last year. Captains Iris Wolves (Polar Bears) and Lieke Rogge (ZV De Zaan) are ready for the first big match of the season. They share their thoughts on the developments in the Eredivisie, their European adventure and the battle for the Supercup.
Changes
At Polar Bears, Lola Moolhuijzen left for the Greek top club Vouliagmeni and welcomed back the 26-year-old Fleurien Bosveld. She came over from the Spanish CN Terrassa. According to Wolves, the team came out of the summer full of energy.
‘’Of course it was a shame not to become champions, but the girls have recharged their batteries this summer. They started again with enthusiasm and with the enthusiastic Fleurien we have gained a lady who is right in the middle of the team. She has an incredibly positive influence, that's nice!’’, said the 30-year-old Polar Bears player who played in the first team between 2013 and 2020 and then made trips to the Greek Glyfada and the Spanish CE Mediterrani. She has been playing for the Berinnen again since 2023.
ZV De Zaan strengthened itself with centre forward Christina Hicks while defender Silvanne Slot left the club behind. Rogge, who, like Wolves, played in Paris, enjoyed the championship.
‘’It remains special to become national champion! The teams are evenly matched, the matches were of a high level and that is good for water polo in the Netherlands. We practiced in Berlin against Spandau04. During such trips you grow even closer together and you can work even more focused towards a next goal," says Rogge, who, apart from a trip to the American university team Arizona Sun Devils, always played for De Zaan.
Great performances
Last season was a fantastic year for the Zaan ladies with the cup win, the national championship and third place in the Euro Cup. Rogge looks back on it with great pleasure and sees that they performed to the best of their ability.
"We told each other to win as many prizes as possible. Of course, third place could also have been a championship, but if you look at our program and the number of training sessions together, I am proud of what we have achieved! It is not self-evident that Dutch teams play in Europe, which is why we have to cherish it and continue on the path we have taken.’’
Wolves recognizes the words of its fellow international and sees that Polar Bears has also set the right course. This is how coach Petros Doudesis begins his two years as coach at the Bears.
‘’The best thing for the continuity of a team is that there is stability. I am happy that the fanatic Petros is ‘just’ there this year. With his social character, he is close to the group. That is also what the team needs to perform well," said the center forward of the national team and the Edenaren.
Objectives
Wolves has not been in training for very long because of her participation in the games. With the bronze medal in her pocket, she is enthusiastically looking forward to the coming season.
"We play in a good Champions League group, reaching the next round is the first goal. I am really looking forward to playing in Europe with the team! In addition, it is good for the Eredivisie that Donk, among others, has become stronger. The competition is getting more exciting, we are ready for it’’, the motivated Wolves indicates, who jokingly sees another advantage of the arrival of a number of experienced players at GZC Donk.
‘’Last year I was the oldest Eredivisie player, that will change this season, haha. Seriously.. I hope that ladies with quality continue to play at a high level for as long as possible and take younger players with them in their enthusiasm and help where necessary.’’
Rogge can also show herself at European level again with the team this season. She wants to compete for prizes on all fronts. ‘’It is incredibly educational for all players to compete against European teams. In the pool we already play against strong teams with many internationals from other countries. It is a nice challenge and it is also fun to meet Noa de Vries (Ferencvaros) and Roline Schuijt (Sant Andreu).’’
The 23-year-old captain of De Zaan sees the Super Cup as a nice reunion with the Berinnen. She really wants to win the prize. ‘’You are at the top of your game during the games and then a rest period is nice. As soon as I am in the water, I always want to win. So also on Saturday!’’
Wolves also has a clear goal; ‘’It is a nice start to the season that I would like to win. It is not my most favorite match but I would like to have the prize behind my name!’’
On Saturday the women of Polar Bears and De Zaan will play at 7:00 PM, followed by the match between the men of GZC Donk and ZV De Zaan at 8:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased via this link and the livestream can be found on the KNZB channel of Eyecons and on the Youtube channel of De Zaan.
