UZSC takes points to Utrecht after win in season opener at Het Ravijn; ''We are loose''
UZSC made an excellent start to the new Eredivisie season with a 9-16 victory over Het Ravijn. The team from Utrecht took the lead after just one minute and did not relinquish it for the rest of the match. The match was led by referees Johan de Boer and Anton Bervoets.
Both teams had a new coach on the sidelines in the first match of the new Eredivisie season. The debuting UZSC coach Sebastiaan Brands saw both George Athymantis and Andras Garancsy score four times for his team. Hugo Wouters was very important to the new Ravijn coach, Fillip Kljajevic, in the first period with three goals in a row. The period scores were; 3-5, 6-8, 8-11 and 9-16.
Back to the old nest
Both teams saw several players return to the 'old' nest this summer who played directly in the season opener. For example, Finn Brands, David de Vries and Jorrit Aanstoot returned to the water with Kljajevic's team. In addition to the new captain and experienced former international 33-year-old Robert Beskers., youth players Stan Schuring, Pepijn Middelkamp and under 18 players Rick Pennings and Pim Hageman were in the pool water on the Piet Heinweg in Nijverdal.
For the Utrecht team, centre-back Gies Wijnhoven made his comeback after having played for Olympic Nice Natation for a year. Imme van der Schaaf, Max Vercouteren, Filip Josipovic and Brent Hofmeijer also made their debut for the Utrecht men. For the latter it was a special debut as he made the transfer from Nijverdal.
George Athymantis versus Robert Beskers
Feel-out during opening match
After the summer break, the first match of the season was a good first measurement moment for the two young and enthusiastic teams. According to Brands, both teams played fresh and with a lot of energy.
''It was a nice match with a positive result for us. Het Ravijn played at a high tempo, which gave the game a quick pace. Of course, both teams still have to get used to it, but the energy was good.''
The team from Nijverdal started the game with motivation, although the staff noticed that the players had to shake off their inhibitions in the initial phase. According to team manager Richard Middelkamp, the team picked it up well.
''There was some tension in the team in the initial phase, the next two quarters gave the players hope, but in the end UZSC was really the superior team.'' Player Pepijn Middelkamp, who could not finish the fourth period with 3 p-tjes, adds Middelkamp. ''We were too slow in attack, which caused unnecessary defensive problems. We have a young team with a lot of potential but UZSC was better”
Yoran Loos in action
Ingraining automatisms
Yoran Loos brought Het Ravijn back into the game in the final phase of the second period by scoring the 5-8 and 6-8, and through the 7-8 by Emiel Wouters. According to Brands, the sloppiness has to be eliminated.
''We had some very good phases but communication and calmer attacks could be a lot better. Partly due to a good goalkeeper Miki Buitenhuis, the defense improved. Due to the substitutions, we are still working on the automatisms but it was unnecessary to help them back into the saddle. All in all, we saw two fun, frivolous and young teams play.''
After Wouters' 7-8, a time-out followed on the Utrecht side. The team then extended their lead to 7-11 with three goals. Joep de Jong made it 8-12 at the beginning of the last quarter, after which the game was finally sealed by UZSC.
Next week Het Ravijn will play Polar Bears at home at 6:00 PM. UZSC will start the match against De Ham fifteen minutes later in Zwembad De Krommerijn
The match photos taken by Wim Beunk can be found on the KNZB Smugmug. The livestream of the match can be seen on the Youtube channel of Het Ravijn.
Goalscorers
Het Ravijn: Hugo Wouters and Emil Wouters (3), Yoran Loos (2) and name unknown (1)
UZSC: George Athymantis and Andras Garancsy (Both 4), name unknown (3), Joep de Jong (2), Tom ten Wolde, Max Vercouteren, Imme van der Schaaf (All 1).
