The winners of recent years, grand final spectacle, and an extra dimension; ''Few of our players have ever played in front of such a large audience'' | Waterpolo.nl
The final day starts tomorrow at 13:00 with the men's 2 match between ZPB H&L Productions and ZV De Zaan led by referees Rick Bakker and Sander Glazenburg. Since all matches are sold out, Manmeer!-magazine has made it possible to watch the final matches via live stream. The magazine is published four times a year. More information about the magazine can be found here. The matches can be viewed via the live stream on Eyecons.
ZPB H&L Productions was victorious in early March with a score of 16-14 against PSV, with four goals from top scorer Storm van Hoff. The Zaan opponent must also prepare for the scoring prowess of Dominck de Waal, who has already scored 61 times this season (cup and league matches). The team led by captain and goalkeeper Bendt Fonteine is ranked third in the league. Fonteine is aware of what is to come tomorrow.
ZPB H&L Productions was too strong for PSV in early March with 16-14, partly due to four goals from goalgetter Storm van Hoff. The Zaanse opponent must also arm themselves against the scoring drive of Dominck de Waal who has already scored 61 times this season (cup and competition). The team of captain and goalkeeper Bendt Fonteine is third in the competition. Fonteine knows what is going to happen tomorrow.
''I think we have a tough game of polo ahead of us. De Zaan will, just like us, go for the win 100%. They lost the final last year, which will motivate them even more for this edition. They are a strong team that has trained their zone defense well for years. So it is up to us to get through this and show what we can do'', indicates the goalkeeper who has had a good preparation with the team.
''The past few weeks we have trained a lot towards the cup, and played several practice matches. So we are fit! In the competition we have also had strong opponents in the last period, in which we could practice certain tactics in preparation for the final.''
Difference between competition and cup
On the other side of the pool lies the team from Zaandam. They reached the final by beating the men of ZVL-1886 10-12. The team of coach Tim Ketelaars is eighth in the same competition with 17 points behind the men from Barendrecht. Last month, De Zaan lost 9-16 to ZPB H&L. Earlier this season, the Zaansters won 9-10 with Storm Meijn in goal, who is not playing this time. With the five-man staff consisting of players from men's 1, captain Jeffrey Hasenbos and youth internationals Jesse Bout, Harun Fetic, Boris van Wijk (two matches in men's 1) and Dave Knip (1 match in men's 1) will take the team by the hand as underdogs, although the Zaanse captain does not agree with that.
''Competition results don't mean much, especially not in the reserve Eredivisie and knowing that both teams mainly feature young talents. In addition, final matches are stand-alone. We are ready and looking forward to it!''
Barendrecht resident Fonteine also thinks that the league standings say little about tomorrow's match.
''In the cup you play with a different composition than in the competition. I think we have one of the youngest teams in the competition. We are proud that we came third. In the competition De Zaan won from us and we from them. So there is no real favorite, I think. Tomorrow we will see who comes out on top.''
The Zaanse captain agrees with Fonteine's words.
"It's hard to make a prediction. Tomorrow we will see at least two teams that want to play polo. After both teams have won from each other before, the drive will be the same."
It could be a double celebration for ZPB H&L Productions if both their men's and women's teams play their way to final victory.
"The atmosphere in the stands will be good because of all our supporters who travelled with us. It is of course special that both the men and the women have reached the final. It is also great to see that the entire club is doing everything it can to support," the grateful captain indicates. According to him, a final has an extra dimension.
''Within the team it is very much alive. Everyone is looking forward to it and for many it is a new experience. Few of our players have played in front of such a large audience before, so I understand that it is exciting for some. We are really looking forward to it and are eager to win!''
ManMeer!-Cup Finals in Sportstad Heerenveen
2024
Women 1: UZSC D3 – ZPB H&L Productions D1 9-8 Men
1: JAWS Amsterdam – De Linge/PCG 7-13
Men 2: PSV H2 – ZV De Zaan H2 17-15
2023
Women 1: BZC Brandenburg - SWOL 1894 11-10
Men 1: SVH H1 - SWOL 1894 H1 15-10
Men 2: Polar Bears H2 – PSV H2 12-7
2022
Women 1: UZSC D2 – UZSC D3 3-11
Men 1: De Treffers - BZ&PC 7-16
Men 2: ZV De Zaan - ZVL-1886 Center: 7-6
2019
Women: UZSC - GZC Donk 8-9 Men 1: PSV - VZC 13-8 Men 2: UZSC H2 - Polar Bears H3 9-7 2018 Women: Het Y D1 - ZV De Zaan D2 8-10 Men 1: ZV De Zaan - PSV 14-9 Men 2: De Zijl Zwemsport H2 - ZV De Zaan H2 7-9
