Last MMC Cup winner against 1st division champion; 'We are heading to Heerenveen in large numbers' | Waterpolo.nl
A sold-out Sportstad Heerenveen will be the setting for three ManMeer!-Cup finals this Saturday. After the men's 2 and women's finals, OZ&PC and De Linge/PCG will play against each other at 5:00 p.m. The final will be officiated by Marko Nieuwenhuizen and Robert Nederhof. The games can be watched via livestream onEyecons.
ManMeer!-magazine has made it possible to watch the games via stream. The magazine is published four times a year. More information about the magazine can be found at this link.
With full buses to Heerenveen
The men's final will be the highlight of a wonderful day of water polo in Heerenveen. The 1st Division A champion, OZ&PC, will face De Linge/PCG, the winner of the last edition. For the team coached by Dennie Slot from Oldenzaal, winning the cup would be a fantastic crowning achievement of the season and a boost for the upcoming Eredivisie year.
According to the Oldenzaal captain Maik Slot, the team and all supporters can't wait for tomorrow.
‘Since our championship, everyone is only talking about the cup final. Everyone within the team and the club is very excited! We are heading to Heerenveen in large numbers and we will do everything to win the cup!’
De Linge/PCG's playmaker, Quint Gerdes, echoes the sentiments of OZ&PC's captain with nearly the same words.
Decision on details
As the defending cup winner, De Linge/PCG has conceded the least number of goals this season (222) in the competition. They will face the team that scored the most this season in the 1st division (312). According to Gerdes, they have multiple qualities in attack.
‘At our team, anyone can score a goal which makes it difficult to defend against us. We easily find each other in attack, resulting in fast and attractive water polo. We have a strong center forward and good shooters around him,’’ the shooter explains.
In November, the score was tied at 11-11 after four quarters in the league match. The teams did not play a return match, so a magnificent match is expected this Saturday. The team from Oldenzaal defeated SVH in the semifinal, while the team from Gorinchem was too strong for VZ&PC. The teams are familiar with each other, so the match will be decided on details.
‘I expect an exciting match between two evenly matched teams, with an amazing atmosphere! Our strength lies in teamwork, the relationships within the team are good, and everyone is willing to fight for each other. The combination of young talented players and older experienced players makes us strong,’ says Slot from OZ&PC.
On De Linge/PCG's side, known for their quick tactical switches that disrupt the opponent in the right way, Gerdes mentions another important strength of the team.
‘We are a team of friends who know each other inside out. We always try to play water polo from a solid defense, which is why we have conceded the fewest goals in the league.’
According to Gerdes from Gorinchem, both teams are evenly matched in the final battle.
‘I also expect an exciting, evenly contested match. Oldenzaal has proven themselves this season in the first division with good results. They have a strong and young team with good left-handed players and center forwards. On the other hand, we have a lot of experience and players who have played in the Eredivisie for years. It will be a physical match where both teams will fight until the last whistle.’
No favorite to pick
With the championship of OZ&PC, Slot can look back on a successful season. Even though the opponent did not contend for the title in the league, he cannot pick a favorite for the final victory.
‘Perhaps on paper we are the favorites, but De Linge/PCG is an experienced team that has been through it all. They won the cup last year and two years ago they were still in the Eredivisie. In the league, we had a 11-11 draw, which, in my opinion, reflects the balance. We'll see this Saturday!’
Gerdes also cannot designate one team as the favorite.
‘It's difficult to say if there is a favorite. We won the cup last year. Are we not the favorites then? The draw in the league was a crazy game where OZ&PC made a strong comeback. They crowned a wonderful season with promotion to the Eredivisie, but they won't receive the ManMeer Cup as a gift,’ concludes the motivated Gerdes.
