Paul Matthijs new Groningen captain

13 July 2002

Defender Paul Matthijs is Groningen's captain for the coming season, taking over from goalie Roy Beukenkamp who asked to be relieved of the responsibility. Beukenkamp feels that it's better for the team if the captain is one of the other players and trainer Dwight Lodeweges has asked Sander van Gessel to substitute for Matthijs when necessary.

Groningen win friendly

07 July 2002

Groningen won their first friendly of the summer yesterday by beating amateurs GRC 4-1. Joiost Broerse, Paul Matthijs, Dejan Curovic and Ignacio Tuhuteru the scorers. For GRC the match was their 100th birthday and for Henk van de Velde a chance to score from a direct freekick in his last match due to a chronic hip injury.

Last chance for Groningen's Boekweg

02 July 2002

Claus Boekweg has been given till the end of July to be declared fit enough to earn himself a contract to play for Groningen. There's a contract for one year waiting for the 36 year-old defender, who has been plagued by a string of knee- and calf- injuries, if he's declared fit to play. If not he will be offered a job training the youth squad! Boekweg played for Groningen between 1986 and 1995 before moving to FC Zwolle who he left last season after a row with coach Paul Krabbe. He returned to the Oosterpark stadium but then his tale of injury-woe began which resulted in him making only two appearances last season!

NAC sign Ali Boussaboun

15 Jun 2002

NAC have signed Groningen's out-of-favour striker Ali Boussaboun on a contract for 3 years. Boussaboun was dropped at the Oosterpark side last season for disciplinary reasons but will hopefully do better with the Breda side.

NAC make Ali Boussaboun offer

12 Jun 2002

NAC have made Groningen's Ali Boussaboun an offer and the 23 year-old looks set to move to Breda as replacement for Glen Salmon who's going in the opposite direction to the Oosterpark side. Willem II are also interested in the striker who's been dropped in Groningen due to a series of disciplinary problems last season. NAC badly need some firepower up front now that Brazilian duo Sergio and Cristiano are gone and Earnest Stewart is also entering his last season with the club.

Roel Janssen exits Groningen

09 Jun 2002

Groningen have bought off the remainder of Roel Janssen's contract which was to run out at the end of next season. The 26 year-old defender came to the club in the summer of 2000 from MVV. He ended up spending the last 18 months on loan to Veendam. His agent Edwin Olde Riekerink is looking for a new club for him.

Salmon moves from NAC to Groningen

08 Jun 2002

Glen Salmon is moving from NAC to Groningen. The 24 year-old South African striker, whose contract in Breda runs till the summer of 2003, has signed a deal for 5 years with the Oosterpark side. He joined NAC in November 1999 and has scored 28 goals in 82 matches for them.

Johansson extends Groningen deal

03 Jun 2002

Magnus Johansson has extended his contract with Groningen for one more year - he missed most of last season through injury. The 30 year-old left-back has been with the Oosterpark side since he joined in January 1999 after 9 season with IFK Gothenburg.  He's happy in Groningen and will be hoping to help his team to do better than the 15th place end of season ranking in 2001/2002.

Rolf Landerl has shoulder operation

30 May 2002

Rolf Landerl has undergone surgery on his shoulder to get him fit in time to join his new club Groningen from Fortuna this summer. The forward picked up the injury during his debut for Austria in their 6-2 thrashing of Germany where his tackle on Sebastian Deisler put the German out of action for the World Cup and gave Landerl the wrong kind of headlines!

Van den herik signs for Eagles

17 May 2002

Wouter van den Herik looks set to make the move from FC Groningen to Deventer's Go Ahead Eagles after signing a deal for the coming 3 years - it only remains for the two clubs to agree on a price! The 22 year-old striker, who was told last month that he could start looking for a new club, has been on loan to Telstar this season. He's the latest signing for the Eagles as they prepare for next season, other recent additions being Martijn Kuiper, Bas Wijnen (Vitesse), Bram Marbus (Sparta), Dennis Hulshoff (Twente) and Michel Kruijer (Excelsior).

Groningen sign French talent

16 May 2002

According to their official site, Groningen have signed 21 year-old left-winger Pedro Kamata who currently turns out for French Division 1 side AJ Auxerre. The youngster, who originates from Angola, has signed a deal for 5 years but his club is unwilling to see him go and FIFA will now have to decide within the next two months what the transfer-fee will be.

Boussaboun to leave Groningen

15 May 2002

Ali Boussaboun has been told by Groningen that he can start looking for a new employer. After the latest conflict between the club and the player concerning his lack of professional attitude the Oosterpark side have decided it's best for both parties if the striker moves elsewhere! He's been reprimanded, fined and even relegated to the reserve squad several times this season for being late and other 'offences'!

Groningen to sign Youri Mulder?

13 May 2002

Groningen are negotiating the signing of Schalke 04's 33 year-old veteran striker Youri Mulder. Mulder has been plagued by a recurrent knee injury in recent years and has struggled to get in much matchplay. He's now ready to come back to Holland after 9 years with the Bundesliga club and the Oosterpark side are heading up the queue of Dutch clubs wanting to snap him up on a transfer-free deal!

PSV finalise Jordi Hoogstrate signing

08 May 2002

PSV have finally clinched the deal with Groningen's young talent,  Jordi Hoogstrate. The 18 year old youth international will be remaining with Groningen for 1 more year to 'ripen' as we stated earlier in April when PSV first showed interest in Hoogstrate before making the move to Eindhoven.

Veendam sign Groningen's Arjan Bisseling

02 May 2002

Veendam have signed Groningen's Arjan Bisseling on a deal for two years. The 23 year-old has been with Groningen for the last 3 seasons but his contract is not being extended at the Oosterpark side. He was captain of the reserve team and has played 7 matches for the 1st team (including 3 appearances as substitute this season).

Groningen sign amateur Bronkhorst

02 May 2002

Groningen have signed amateur player Raymond Bronkhorst, who's impressed during two trials at the Oosterpark stadium during the last season, on a deal for one year with an option for another. The 23 year-old right-footed midfielder has been playing for "Hoofdklasse B" amateurs SV Huizen and, before that, for ADO'20 in his home town Heemskerk.

Groningen find new shirt sponsor

30 Apr 2002

Groningen have managed to find a new shirt sponsor. Construction company "Beaufort Prefab Skeletonbouw" from the town of Soesterberg have agreed to sponsor the club for the next 5 years. The building contractors have a clause in the new contract stating that the deal will not go through if Groningen are relegated this season. Groningen, who are in need of 1 point for Ere Divisie survival, play their last match away on Sunday to Sparta.

PSV close to signing Jordi Hoogstrate

30 Apr 2002

PSV have nearly completed the signing of Groningen's 18 year- old talent Jordi Hoogstrate. PSV are planning to leave the youngster at the Oosterpark stadium, as they did with Groningen's other young star Arjen Robben when they signed him a year ago, immediately lending him back to Groningen so that he

07 July 2002

Groningen won their first friendly of the summer yesterday by beating amateurs GRC 4-1. Joiost Broerse, Paul Matthijs, Dejan Curovic and Ignacio Tuhuteru the scorers. For GRC the match was their 100th birthday and for Henk van de Velde a chance to score from a direct freekick in his last match due to a chronic hip injury.

Last chance for Groningen's Boekweg

02 July 2002

Claus Boekweg has been given till the end of July to be declared fit enough to earn himself a contract to play for Groningen. There's a contract for one year waiting for the 36 year-old defender, who has been plagued by a string of knee- and calf- injuries, if he's declared fit to play. If not he will be offered a job training the youth squad! Boekweg played for Groningen between 1986 and 1995 before moving to FC Zwolle who he left last season after a row with coach Paul Krabbe. He returned to the Oosterpark stadium but then his tale of injury-woe began which resulted in him making only two appearances last season!

NAC sign Ali Boussaboun

15 Jun 2002

NAC have signed Groningen's out-of-favour striker Ali Boussaboun on a contract for 3 years. Boussaboun was dropped at the Oosterpark side last season for disciplinary reasons but will hopefully do better with the Breda side.

NAC make Ali Boussaboun offer

12 Jun 2002

NAC have made Groningen's Ali Boussaboun an offer and the 23 year-old looks set to move to Breda as replacement for Glen Salmon who's going in the opposite direction to the Oosterpark side. Willem II are also interested in the striker who's been dropped in Groningen due to a series of disciplinary problems last season. NAC badly need some firepower up front now that Brazilian duo Sergio and Cristiano are gone and Earnest Stewart is also entering his last season with the club.

Roel Janssen exits Groningen

09 Jun 2002

Groningen have bought off the remainder of Roel Janssen's contract which was to run out at the end of next season. The 26 year-old defender came to the club in the summer of 2000 from MVV. He ended up spending the last 18 months on loan to Veendam. His agent Edwin Olde Riekerink is looking for a new club for him.

Salmon moves from NAC to Groningen

08 Jun 2002

Glen Salmon is moving from NAC to Groningen. The 24 year-old South African striker, whose contract in Breda runs till the summer of 2003, has signed a deal for 5 years with the Oosterpark side. He joined NAC in November 1999 and has scored 28 goals in 82 matches for them.

Johansson extends Groningen deal

03 Jun 2002

Magnus Johansson has extended his contract with Groningen for one more year - he missed most of last season through injury. The 30 year-old left-back has been with the Oosterpark side since he joined in January 1999 after 9 season with IFK Gothenburg.  He's happy in Groningen and will be hoping to help his team to do better than the 15th place end of season ranking in 2001/2002.

Rolf Landerl has shoulder operation

30 May 2002

Rolf Landerl has undergone surgery on his shoulder to get him fit in time to join his new club Groningen from Fortuna this summer. The forward picked up the injury during his debut for Austria in their 6-2 thrashing of Germany where his tackle on Sebastian Deisler put the German out of action for the World Cup and gave Landerl the wrong kind of headlines!

Van den herik signs for Eagles

17 May 2002

Wouter van den Herik looks set to make the move from FC Groningen to Deventer's Go Ahead Eagles after signing a deal for the coming 3 years - it only remains for the two clubs to agree on a price! The 22 year-old striker, who was told last month that he could start looking for a new club, has been on loan to Telstar this season. He's the latest signing for the Eagles as they prepare for next season, other recent additions being Martijn Kuiper, Bas Wijnen (Vitesse), Bram Marbus (Sparta), Dennis Hulshoff (Twente) and Michel Kruijer (Excelsior).

Groningen sign French talent

16 May 2002

According to their official site, Groningen have signed 21 year-old left-winger Pedro Kamata who currently turns out for French Division 1 side AJ Auxerre. The youngster, who originates from Angola, has signed a deal for 5 years but his club is unwilling to see him go and FIFA will now have to decide within the next two months what the transfer-fee will be.

Boussaboun to leave Groningen

15 May 2002

Ali Boussaboun has been told by Groningen that he can start looking for a new employer. After the latest conflict between the club and the player concerning his lack of professional attitude the Oosterpark side have decided it's best for both parties if the striker moves elsewhere! He's been reprimanded, fined and even relegated to the reserve squad several times this season for being late and other 'offences'!

Groningen to sign Youri Mulder?

13 May 2002

Groningen are negotiating the signing of Schalke 04's 33 year-old veteran striker Youri Mulder. Mulder has been plagued by a recurrent knee injury in recent years and has struggled to get in much matchplay. He's now ready to come back to Holland after 9 years with the Bundesliga club and the Oosterpark side are heading up the queue of Dutch clubs wanting to snap him up on a transfer-free deal!

PSV finalise Jordi Hoogstrate signing

08 May 2002

PSV have finally clinched the deal with Groningen's young talent,  Jordi Hoogstrate. The 18 year old youth international will be remaining with Groningen for 1 more year to 'ripen' as we stated earlier in April when PSV first showed interest in Hoogstrate before making the move to Eindhoven.

Veendam sign Groningen's Arjan Bisseling

02 May 2002

Veendam have signed Groningen's Arjan Bisseling on a deal for two years. The 23 year-old has been with Groningen for the last 3 seasons but his contract is not being extended at the Oosterpark side. He was captain of the reserve team and has played 7 matches for the 1st team (including 3 appearances as substitute this season).

Groningen sign amateur Bronkhorst

02 May 2002

Groningen have signed amateur player Raymond Bronkhorst, who's impressed during two trials at the Oosterpark stadium during the last season, on a deal for one year with an option for another. The 23 year-old right-footed midfielder has been playing for "Hoofdklasse B" amateurs SV Huizen and, before that, for ADO'20 in his home town Heemskerk.

Groningen find new shirt sponsor

30 Apr 2002

Groningen have managed to find a new shirt sponsor. Construction company "Beaufort Prefab Skeletonbouw" from the town of Soesterberg have agreed to sponsor the club for the next 5 years. The building contractors have a clause in the new contract stating that the deal will not go through if Groningen are relegated this season. Groningen, who are in need of 1 point for Ere Divisie survival, play their last match away on Sunday to Sparta.

PSV close to signing Jordi Hoogstrate

30 Apr 2002

PSV have nearly completed the signing of Groningen's 18 year- old talent Jordi Hoogstrate. PSV are planning to leave the youngster at the Oosterpark stadium, as they did with Groningen's other young star Arjen Robben when they signed him a year ago, immediately lending him back to Groningen so that he could

Groningen beat De Graafschap 2-0

28 Apr 2002

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Schoenmakers, Paul Janssen, Florén, Hoogstrate, Hugo, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Drent, Robben. De Graafschap lineup: Postma, Bot, Nok, Vreman, Fränkel, Meerdink, Van Leerdam, Van den Brom, Turpijn, Van Vossen, Valeev. A goal by Arjen Robben in the 64th minute and a spot-shot by Sander van Gessel in the 90th minute gave Groningen the points and they climb a place to 14th at the expense of Den Bosch who lost to Ajax.

Schoenmakers extends deal with Groningen

27 Apr 2002

Melchior Schoenmakers has signed a new contract for two years with Groningen, frustrating Scottish side Dundee United who'd sent a delegation to watch the defender play in the match against Heerenveen last Wednesday. The 26 year-old joined the Oosterpark side in February 1997 from Heerenveen, leaving for Den Bosch in 2000 but, due to that club's financial problems, was soon on his way back north. Schoenmakers has so far played 155 professional matches, scoring 9 goals.

Heerenveen beat Groningen 2-0

25 Apr 2002

Heerenveen Lineup: Hans Vonk, Said Bakkati (46. Mika Vayrynen), Ronnie Venema, Gérard de Nooijer, Erik Edman, Daniel Jensen, Jesper Håkansson (84. Stefan Selakovic), Arek Radomski, Mika Nurmela (74. Jeffrey Talan), Marcus Allbäck, Romano Denneboom. Groningen Lineup: Roy Beukenkamp, Magnus Johansson, Melchior Schoenmakers, Paul Janssen (73. Hugo), Mathias Florén, Jordi Hoogstrate, Paul Matthijs, Sander van Gessel, Joost Broerse (60. Martin Drent), Ali Boussaboun (79. Bert Zimmerman), Arjen Robben. Heerenveen are back in Europe again after their 2-0 home win against Groningen. The visitors were looking to earn themselves a simple point and decided to confront Heerenveen with a 10 man defense. Their defensive wall proved impenetrable in the 1st half but, 3 minutes into the 2nd half, Heerenveen finally managed to find a chink in the Groningen armour. The Northerners' defenders misjudged a ball, thinking that it was about to go out of play and Heereveen's Finnish forward Håkansson was alert to the opportunity, picking up the ball to score from close range.  In the 70th minute Håkansson put the final score on the board, dribbling past Schoenmakers before shooting low into the far left hand corner of the net.

Paul Janssen ends career this season

17 Apr 2002

Groningen's Paul Janssen has decided to hang up his boots at the end of the season and has asked the club to terminate his contract. The 30 year-old former Fortuna, NAC and Den Bosch defender joined Groningen in 1999 but failed to get a regular place in the lineup.  He's scored 10 goals in 216 Ere Divisie appearances.

Groningen lose at home to Vitesse 0-1

14 Apr 2002

Groningen Lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Paul Janssen, Schoenmakers, Johansson, Hoogstrate, Matthijs, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Robben and Tuhuteru. Vitesse Lineup: Jevric, Knol, Stefanovic, Kreek, Nanu, Diarra, Van der Schaaf, Laros, Sikora, Martel and Mbamba. Vitesse took another all-important step towards UEFA Cup football next season via an unimpressive 0-1 away win against Groningen this afternoon. It was terrible game to have to watch and the 1st attempt at goal was Matthew Amoah's 64th minute match-winning header. Groningen's Arjen Robben had a few feeble attempts at goal late in the 2nd half but he was unable to show the class that PSV believe he possesses.

PSV want Groningen's Hoogstrate

10 Apr 2002

PSV are hoping to sign Groningen's talented young midfielder Jordi Hoogstrate and have enquired at Groningen about the possibility of buying off his contract that runs out in 2005. If Hoogstrate decides to make the move then he will join ex-Groningen teammate Arjan Robben who PSV bought last year only to immediately hire him back to Groningen.

Ajax stay top after win against Groningen

03 Apr 2002

Ajax lineup: Grim, Trabelsi, Bergdølmo, Yakubu, Maxwell, Van Halst, Pienaar, O'Brien, Van der Meyde, Ibrahimovic and Mido. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Schoenmakers, Boekweg, Johansson, Matthijs, Tuhuteru, Broerse, Van Gessel, Boussaboun and Robben. Ajax cling on to their title hopes thanks to Nikos Machlas' 85th minute goal which gave them a 4 - 3 win in the ArenA tonight. They started off half-asleep and their notoriously leaky defence (tonight comprising of Yakubu and Bergdølmo) allowed Sander van Gessel tothe score for Groningen in the 12th minute. It took till close to half-time before they got into the match when Mido put away a rebound to equalize in the 42nd and, after the break, he added a 2nd from a Maxwell pass in the 56th. Arjen Robben (who had a great match and provided the assists for theng two Groningen goals) drew the visitors level in the 60th, his shot going in off the inside of the post. A totally unmarked Ignacio Tuhuteru nosed them ahead in the 69th before Machlas equalized in the 70th and followed up with what turned out to be the match-winner 15 minutes later.

Groningen lose at home to Roda

25 Mar 2002

Roda JC gained 3 valuble points this afternoon helping them to steer clear of the playoff zone. In a match where Roda slightly dominated the goals were both scored in the last 5 minutes of the game by Roda's Swedish striker, Frederik Berglund.

José Antonio on trial with Groningen

20 Mar 2002

José Antonio is on trial with Groningen from Wednesday onwards. The defensive midfielder currently plays for Las Palmas (a Spanish Primera División side) in their reserve team and will be training at the Oosterpark stadium for two or three weeks. He's just turned 21 and could be offered a prof contarct with Las Palmas next season but wants to have a look abroad before making up his mind.

Twente lose to Groningen 0 - 1

17 Mar 2002

Twente lineup: Boschker, El-Brazi, Pothuizen, Grujic, Heubach, Cziommer, Van der Doelen, Van de Paar, Van der Leegte, Caïro and De Gier.  Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Schoenmakers, Paul Janssen, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben.  The "Tukkers" are now back in trouble after a slight recovery in recent weeks. They started off well and launched a series of attcks at the Groningen end in theng 20 minutes but the Northerners held on and seemed to be happy to go home without scoring, but at least with a point. This demotivated the Enschede team and they lost any 'steam' they had in their engine in that dynamic early phase of the match. This encouraged the Oosterpark side to try and score after all! It finally came when Tukker- keeper Sander Boschker was sent off in the 80th, allowing Magnus Johansson to slot home the penalty for the points in the 82nd. The match was suspended due to crowd trouble for a while but on resumption saw no change in the score. Twente drop to 13th on 31 points from 27 played while Groningen gratefully climb to 12th on 32 points from 27 played.

Fortuna lose to Groningen 0 - 1

09 Mar 2002

Fortuna lineup: Hesp, Emeran, Akerboom, Volmer, Hermans, Landerl, Meszaros, Haeldermans, Heering, Simons and Gerritsen. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Broerse, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben. Both sides played the 'waiting game' looking to see what the other side did before acting, worried about making mistakes in the fight for survival at the wrong end of the table. Arjen Robben's through pass gave Jordi Hoogstrate the chance to put away the only goal in the 28th minute. It was just about the only real moment of danger for either team throughout the 90 minutes aand it gives the Oosterpark side the points, keeping them in 16th place, 3 points clear of Sparta and with a game in hand. It hardly needs saying that Fortuna are hopelessly sunk at the bottom and Eerste Divisie- bound next season.

Broerse off to Utrecht in 2003/2004

09 Mar 2002

Joost Broerse has just extended his deal with Groningen for another season while simultaneously announcing that he's going to be joining Utrecht in the 2003/2004 season. The 22 year-old midfielder returns to play for his former club, whom he left to join Groningen in 1997, on a contract for 3 seasons. While with Utrecht he never actually played for the 1st team but he did  make his debut for Groningen against PSV in November 1997 and, since then, the Jong Oranje player has become a regular feature of the team.

Groningen and RKC draw 1 - 1

03 Mar 2002

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben.  RKC lineup: Sinouh, Lamey, Nascimento, Van den Berg, De Graef, Kolk, Van Diemen, Fuchs, Molhoek, Putter and Hoogendorp. Groningen will be unhappy to have dropped 3 vital points in their battle to get clear of the relegation zone. They had no problems dealing with their opponents until Ignacio Tuhuteru put the Oosterpark side ahead in the 52nd. The advantage had an adverse effect and, instead of increasing their self-confidence, they seemed to tighten up and let the match slip out of their grasp, allowing RKC to rally and come back. It didn't exactly produce a run of exciting goalmouth activity but Dejan Govedarica pounced to equalize in the 77th for the Waalwijkers. Groningen gain a point but remain 16th on 26 points from 25 played while RKC close the gap a little with Vitesse but remain in 7th on 35 points from 25 played.

Karnebeek on trial with Groningen

21 Feb 2002

André Karnebeek is being given a short trial with Groningen who would like to add him to their squad for next season. The 30 year-old defender still officially has a contract with Twente till 2003 but the "Tukkers" are prepared to let him go transfer-free this summer due to his service to the club. He's  been with the Enschede side for all 13 years of his professional career, playing his first match against Roda on August 13th 1989 and going on to appear in 322 matches.

Den Bosch lose to Groningen 1 - 4

20 Feb 2002

Den Bosch lineup: Mampaey, Faerber, Van der Hoorn, Uneken, Van Kapel, Plum, Deckers, Michels, Mourad, Van den Eede and De Freitas. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Schoenmakers, Matthijs, Florén, Hoogstrate, Tuhuteru, Broerse, Boussaboun, Curovic and Robben. Groningen got off to a good start, Arjen Robben rounding off a nice piece of solo work to put the Oosterpark side ahead in the 6th minute. Den Bosch recovered but then had another setback when Ignacio Tuhuteru put away the 0 - 2 in the 22nd. Two minutes later Bart van den Eede got one back for the home team with a spot-shot, after Mohammed Allach brought down Mourad Mghizrat, but Dejan Curovic put away a 3rd for Groningen in the 51st and Robben added his 2nd of the evening for the 1 - 4  in the 90th minute. Groningen stay in 16th place on 25 points from 24 played and Den Bosch also stay put, in 12th place on 26 points from 23.

Groningen lose to Feyenoord 0 - 1

10 Feb 2002

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Van Gessel, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Krstev, Broerse, Boussaboun, Hugo and Robben. Feyenoord lineup: Zoetebier, Gyan, Paauwe, Van Wonderen, Rzasa, Emerton, Bosvelt, Ono, Smolarek, Tomasson and Van Hooijdonk. Jon Dahl Tomasson scored just before the break and the Danish international's 15th goal of the season (he's quite possibly off to Barcelona this summer) was enough to give the Rotterdammers the points, taking them to 45 points from 21 games played. The lone goal was the only highlight in a mediocre 90 minutes as Feyenoord failed to impress and Groningen, who had a few chances of their own, also failed to profit from the space they were given by the visitors. Nevertheless it was Feyenoord's first win at Oosterpark stadium since 1996 and  also marked Kees van Wonderen's 300th professional appearance. They remain in 16th place after their 15th defeat of the season on 22 points from 23 played.

Groningen beat NAC 3 - 0

03 Feb 2002

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Matthijs, Schoenmakers, Florén, Hoogstrate, Boussaboun, Broerse, Tuhuteru, Drent and Robben. NAC lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Versteeg, Gudelj, Petö, Hersi, Schreuder, Stewart, Cristiano and Bobson. Groningen proved once again that they can be a potent force in their Oosterpark Stadium while NAC had their 2nd defeat in a row and are, if only temporarily, no longer the team they were developing into before the break. It took till the 2nd half before Groningen's hard work was converted into a goal-on-the-board, Ali Boussaboun putting away a spot-shot awarded for an offence by Rob Penders, who got his marching orders in the 53rd minute. With some good moves down the wings Groningen were able to pass Babos in goal and add to their score, Hugo adding a 2nd 'real' goal in the 73rd and Arjen Robben a 3rd in the 83rd. NAC slip to 6th on 34 points from 21 played while Groningen move up one to 16th on 22 from 22.

Unhappy return to Groningen for Boekweg

02 Feb 2002

It was an unhappy return to Groningen for Claus Boekweg, not only did his team lose to Willem II on Thursday night, the 35 year-old defender tore ligaments in his knee and will be out of action for several weeks!

Willem II beat Groningen 3 - 1

31 Jan 2002

Willem II Lineup: De Vlieger, D. Mathijssen, Van Nieuwstadt, Janssens, J. Mathijsen, Victoria, Landzaat, Sektioui, Ceesay, Bombarda and Shoukov. Groningen lineup: Darwinkel, Johansson, Boekweg, Allach, Florén, Matthijs, Hoogstrate, Krstev, Broerse, Drent and Tuhuteru. In a rather unentertaining duel, which only really came to life in the last 30 minutes of the match, Dmitri Shoukovd the score for the "Tricolores" in the 17th minute, putting away a long pass from Jos van Nieuwstadt. Ignacio Tuhuteru rounded off a nice piece of work by Joost Broerse for the equalizer in the 37th. Denny Landzaat put away a 'controversial' spot-shot in the 64th minute to return the advantage to the home team. Groningen then threw everything in attack but failed to convert their efforts into a 'goal on the board' and Landzaat added a 'real' goal (his 10th of the season) for the  3-1 in the 79th to secure the points for Willem II. They stay where they are in 9th on 28

Groningen to get new stadium

31 Jan 2002

Groningen municipal council have given the go-ahead for the construction of a new stadium for the town's football club, FC Groningen. The project, which has been named "Euroborg", will include a stadium with room for 22.000 spectators together with a complex with plenty of office space, a casino, cinema and bars! The total costs are expected to be in the region of €45 million Euros!

Claus Boekweg moves to Groningen

29 Jan 2002

Claus Boekweg is leaving Eerste Divisie side Zwolle for his former club Groningen, where he played between 1986 and the summer of 1995. The 35 year-old defender will be reunited with his old trainer Dwight Lodeweges, who was in charge at Zwolle till the end of last season. He's not been 'happy' since Lodeweges departure and welcomes the chance (especially at his age) to play Ere Divisie football once more and  turn out in his old shirt!  Zwolle are said to be looking at Dunfermline Athletic's 33 year-old Michel Doesburg as a possible replacement.

AZ beat Groningen 3 - 2

26 Jan 2002

AZ lineup: Moens, Wolters, Buskermolen, Wijker, Lindenbergh, Kromkamp, Robbemond, El Hadrioui, Perez, Nelisse and Huiberts. Groningen lineup: Darwinkel, Johansson, Schoenmakers, Allach, Florén, Matthijs, Hoogstrate, Krstev, Tuhuteru, Drent and Robben.  This was a relatively simple win for the home team and Max Huibertsd the score after only 7 minutes, Robin Nelisse putting away the 2nd in the 22nd from a swift counter. The Alkmaarders'  Abdelkrim El Hadrioui was sent off in the 50th minute. Groningen's Icelander Magnus Johansson scored with a spot-shot in the 57th to bring back some tension into the match but AZ's Kenneth Perez widened the gap with a 61st minute goal. Just as the first fans were trickling out of the stadium Ignacio Tuhuteru gave the visitors a last-gasp bit of hope with an 88th minute header. AZ are now 10th on 24 from 19 while Groningen are now last-but-one in the table with 19 from 20 played.

Groningen lend Van den Herik to Telstar

22 Jan 2002

Groningen are hiring out Wouter van den Herik to Eerste Divisie side Stormvogels/Telstar for the rest of the season. The 22 year-old former Ajax youth player is an old 'friend' of the club - he spent the 1999/2000 season with them.

Groningen lose friendly against Tenerife

18 Jan 2002

Groningen have lost their friendly against Tenerife 3 - 1, Sander van Gessel scored their lone goal.

Groningen win friendly 14 - 0

15 Jan 2002

FC Groningen had an easy 14 - 0 friendly win against Deportivo Marino on the island of Tenerife. Arjan Robben put away 5, Krstev got 4, Martin Drent got 2 while Matthijs, Curovic and Hardarsson all got one-a-piece.

Groningen fine players for poor performance

24 Dec 2001

Groningen have fined their players for their disastrous 8 - 0 defeat by PSV - the money will be used to refund the tickets and costs of the several hundred fans who travelled to Eindhoven for the match.

PSV thrash Groningen 8 - 0

22 Dec 2001

PSV lineup: Lodewijks, Bogelund, Ooijer, Nikiforov, Heintze, Lucius, Van Bommel, Bouma, Rommedahl, Vennegoor of Hesselink and Ramzi. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Matthijs, Allach, Florén, Tuhuteru, Van Gessel, Hugo, Broerse, Drent and Robben. It just wasn't Groningen's night - they had to leave their sick trainer Dwight Lodeweges at home and keeper Roy Beukenkamp left the pitch injured after only 11 minutes. His replacement Egbert Darwinkel held on for 10 minutes before PSV got their first of many. In the first 45 minutes there came goals from André Ooijer in the 16th, Wilfred Bouma in the 18th, Dennis Rommedahl in the 28th, Adil Ramzi in the 31st and Ramzi again in the 45th. The last half an hour saw Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink get a hattrick with the 6 - 0 in the 63rd, a 7th in the 82nd and an 8th in the 89th. The win takes them into 3rd place on 34 points from 19 games as Heerenveen lost at NAC and slip to 5th. Feyenoord are now 1 point ahead and Ajax 2.

Boussaboun dropped at Groningen

22 Dec 2001

Dwight Lodeweges has dropped Ali Boussaboun from the 1st team squad for turning up late to 3 training sessions - the 22 year-old striker misses today's Ere Divisie match against PSV. The Jong Oranje player will also be left at home while the squad travel to Tenerife for the winter training camp and will have to report for duty with the reserve squad after the break and try to fight his way back into the 1st team.

Van Gessel signs for Groningen

22 Dec 2001

Sander van Gessel has made the final move from Heerenveen to Groningen, where he's been on loan since the beginning of the season. He's signed a contract till 2005 with the Oosterpark club.

Groningen and Utrecht draw 2 - 2

16 Dec 2001

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Matthijs, Allach, Florén, Van Gessel, Hugo, Broerse, Tuhuteru, Drent and Robben. Utrecht lineup: Wapenaar, Vreven, Zwaanswijk, Roest, Bosschaart, Tanghe, Jean-Paul de Jong, Van Mol, Van den Bergh, Gluscevic and Kuyt. Martin Drent deservedly put the Oosterpark side ahead after 8 minutes as Utrecht struggled with the slippery pitch. Arco Jochemsen came on for Dav van den Bergh and proved a sound choice, equalizing in the 59th as Utrecht began to get to grips with their situation and reversed the roles. Igor Gluscevic nosed them ahead in the 62nd as the Domstad side threatened to run away with the match. They paid the price for not increasing their lead and Jordi Hoogstrate drew Groningen level in the 86th for the final 2 - 2 score.

Groningen and Sparta in goalless draw

09 Dec 2001

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Matthijs, Allach, Florén, Van Gessel, Tuhuteru, Broerse, Hugo, Drent and Robben. Sparta lineup: Kooiman, Mendes, Van der Meer, Goossen, Sier, Zijm, Bouchiba, Winter, Nielsen, B. Marbus and Blinker. Sparta played without their top scorer Danny Koevermans (7 goals) and Nourdin Boukhari (back from a suspension) was surprisingly left out by Frank Rijkaard. Without the men responsible for 12 of the club's 17 goals Sparta were unable to impose themselves on the visitors. In the 1st half neither side was in the mood and it was uninspiring viewing. After the break Groningen created some chances and Arjen Robben had one of the best but the 17 year-old talent failed to find the back of the net with his effort. Ignacio Tuhuteru had the best opportunity of them all to win the match for the Oosterpark team with a penalty in the 78th but hit the post instead. Both teams remain, for the time being, a relatively safe distance above the relegation zone.

De Graafschap lose to Groningen 1 - 2

30 Nov 2001

De Graafschap lineup: Postma, Bot, Splinter, Bakens, Fränkel, Meerdink, Van den Brom, Van Leerdam, Turpijn, Valeev and Van Vossen. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Allach, Van Gessel, Florén, Matthijs, Hugo, Broerse, Boussaboun, Drent and Tuhuteru. Ali Boussaboun gave Groningen a well deserved lead after 14 minutes. The visitors lost their way after that and Peter van Vossen got an equalizer for the "SuperBoeren" in the 72nd. Mohammed Allach decided the match in Groningen's favour in the 81st while the home team's Martijn Meerdink got his marching orders for his 2nd yellow card in the 85th.

Groningen lose to AZ 0 - 1

27 Nov 2001

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Allach, Van Gessel, Florén, Matthijs, Boussaboun, Broerse, Drent, Hugo and Tuhuteru. AZ lineup: Moens, Wolters, Opdam, Wijker, Lindenbergh, Robbemond, Kromkamp, Van Galen, Perez, Elkhattabi and Buskermolen. A goal by Robin Nelisse in the 87th gave the Alkmaarders the points in Groningen. The two teams were on equal terms for most of the match and, even after bringing on Max Huiberts and Nelisse for Kenneth Perez and that man Ali Elkhattabi, it looked as if it would end in a goalless draw. That is until the Antillian striker managed to handle the ball into the net, making the goal 'illegal', but the referee didn't object.

Groningen v. Zwolle on December 12th

27 Nov 2001

The Amstel Cup match between Groningen and Zwolle will take place as planned on December 12th but the match has been moved to the afternoon to allow the local police to make extra officers available for crowd control. Groningen's mayor Mr. Jacques Wallage had banned the match from taking place in the evening due o the risks of trouble' involved and the clubs had wanted to move the match to another date. The Dutch FA (KNVB) refused to allow a change of date, forcing the two sides to schedule a 14:30 kickoff.

NAC beat Groningen 5 - 0

24 Nov 2001

NAC lineup: Babos, Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj, Petö, Sérgio, Schreuder, Stewart, Cristiano and Bobson. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Florén, Van Gessel, Allach, Matthijs, Boussaboun, Broerse,Tuhuteru, Drent and Hugo. NAC treated their fans to a good-old "avondje NAC" (an evening's worth of NAC) while Groningen have still to win away from home. The home team went into the lead with a 15th spot-shot by Csaba Fehér after Mohammed Allach unceremoniously floored Cristiano. Groningen tried to get into the match but instead suffered an own goal by the 'unhappy' Mohammed Allach for the 2 - 0. NAC completely dominated the 2nd half of the match - Tamás Petö made it 3 - 0 in the 54th, Earnest Stewart scored the 4th in the 60th and Sérgio put away the 5th in the 69th. It's NAC's best start to a season since 1963/1964 and they are really getting into gear. The Breda club (who were still playing in the Eerste Divisie only two years ago!) climb from 5th to 4th place with 24 points from 14 games while Groningen drop from 13th to 14th.

Groningen - Zwolle cup match banned

21 Nov 2001

The Mayor of Jacques Wallage has banned the coming Amstel Cup match between Groningen and Zwolle planned for December 12th due to possible crowd problems. The match could  now take place on Sunday January 20th, kickoff 14.30 when extra police will be made available.

Groningen beat Fortuna 4 - 2

18 Nov 2001

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Van Gessel, Schoenmakers, Allach, Matthijs, Tuhuteru, Broerse, Boussaboun, Drent and Robben. Fortuna lineup: Hesp, Emeran, Dirkx, Volmer, Hermans, El Khadri, Van Dieren, Rook, Landerl, Gerritsen and Cramb. A match of poor quality but with plenty of goals and it gave Groningen their 400th professional league victory. Colin Cramb put the visitors ahead after only 3 minutes but a one-two from Martin Drent in the 20th and 25th gave Groningen the edge while Rolf Landerl found an equalizer for the Sittardians in the 34th. The 2nd half, and the final score, was decided by two substitutes - Hugo put away the 3rd in the 81st within 60 seconds of making his appearance for the 3 - 2 and Dejan Curovic did likewise in the 90th for the 4 - 2. Fortuna stay sunk at the bottom of the table while Groningen climb to 13th.

Groningen sign Mathias Florén

13 Nov 2001

Groningen have signed Swedish defender Mathias Florén who was playing for IFK Norrköping. The 25 year-old hopes to make his debut in Holland in the coming match against Fortuna on Sunday. He has scored 4 goals for Norrköping in 122 matches in the Swedish Allsvenskan league.

El Idrissi trial ends in injury

09 Nov 2001

Groningen's out-of-favour Mustapha El Idrissi's trial with Fortuna has ended in injury after a collision with goalie Ruud Hesp left the 21 year-old striker with a groin problem. He was unhappy at Groningen and was planning to return to France before the Sittard side developed an interest in him. Once he's recovered he'll be given a new chance to prove himself.

Roda beat Groningen 3 - 1

04 Nov 2001

Roda lineup: Kalac - Sonkaya, Luijpers, Vrede, van Dessel - Tchoutang, Gregoor van Dijk, van der Luer, Lawal - Anastasiou, Soetaers Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Van Gessel, Schoenmakers, Allach, Matthijs, Krstev, Broerse, Tuhuteru, Boussaboun and Robben. Goalie Roy Beukenkamp made several fine saves before Tom Soetaers gave Roda the lead in the 25th. Joost Broerse headed in the equalizer from a Paul Matthijs pass in the 43rd, Yannis Anastasiou scored with a spot-shot in the 53rd to put Roda back in front and added a 'real' goal in the 85th to give the Kerkrade crew a much needed confidence boosting 3 points. Groningen are sunk in 17th place after their 8th consecutive defeat, on equal points with Roda in 16th. They are only 3 points ahead of Fortuna who have two games in hand - the unfortunate Sittardians have returned to the bottom of the table position they inhabited for much of last season after momentarily being 17th after their win against Heerenveen yesterday.

Groningen beat Den Bosch 2 - 0

28 Oct 2001

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Van Gessel, Schoenmakers, Allach, Matthijs, Hugo, Krstev, Tuhuteru, Boussaboun and Robben. Den Bosch lineup: De Jong, Faerber, Van der Hoorn, Uneken, Peelen, Mourad, Deckers, Michels, Maximiano, De Freitas and Van den Eede. A determined and patient performance by Groningen helped them to persevere and finally penetrate Den Bosch's famed defensive wall. The home team pushed the visitors far back into their own half - Mile Krstev set up various moves and there were several corners but with little result. Ali Boussaboun blasted off a hard 16 metre shot but Max de Jong, replacing the injured Kris Mampaey, made the save look easy. He repeated that piece of goalkeeping success later in the half when Melchior Schoenmakers got off a fine header from another of those corners. Den Bosch relied as always on the counter - Billy Maximiano, Mourad Mghizrat and Fabian de Freitas being the danger men. De Freitas had the best of their chances close to halftime but was stopped on both occasions by goalie Beukenkamp. Mile Krstev had the best chances of the 2nd half but it started to look like a goalless afternoon when two late goals in the 80th minute, by Kurt Elshot, and the 90th, by Ignacio Tuhuteru, unexpectedly gave them the points.

Groningen beat ACV in Amstel Cup

24 Oct 2001

Groningen are through to the next round of the Amstel Cup after a 7 - 1 win against amateurs ACV. Their goals came from Hugo, Paul Janssen, Ignacio Tuhuteru, Ali Boussaboun, Arjen Robben, Mile Krstev and Martin Drent.

Groningen draw 1 - 1 with Heerenveen

21 Oct 2001

Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Allach, Schoenmakers, Van Gessel, Elshot, Boussaboun, Matthijs, Krstev, Broerse, Tuhuteru and Robben. Heerenveen lineup: Vonk, Venema, Klompe, Gérard de Nooijer, Edman, Talan, Radomski, Jensen, Nurmela, Allbäck and Lurling. This 'Duel-of-the-North' was a scrappy match with plenty of fouls early on, which broke up the flow of play, both teamsng aggressively. Groningen managed to halt Heerenveen's attempts to string moves together but didn't know what to do with the ball when they won it, which led to much loss of possession. Mike Nurmelad the score for the visitors when his freekick was deflected in by Schoenmakers in the 31st minute. Schoenmakers made good by sending Ali Boussaboun off to coolly equalize in the 37th.

Vitesse beat Groningen 1 - 0

17 Oct 2001

Vitesse lineup: Van Fessem, Tim Cornelisse, Knol, Kreek, Nanu, Mustapha, Janssen, Claessens, Diarra, Van Beukering and Martel. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Schoenmakers, Allach, Van Gessel, Matthijs, Boussaboun, Broerse, Krstev Tuhuteru and Robben. A goal by super-sub Emile Mbamba in the 89th minute gave Vitesse the points. The 1st half saw both teams struggling to get into gear but the 2nd half was hard fought and filled with better football. Mile Krstev had the best chance for Groningen but his shot went over while Jhon van Beukering hit the post for the Arnhemmers before Mbamba finally slotted away the late goal. The win takes Vitesse into 2nd place.

Feyenoord beat Groningen 1 - 0

14 Oct 2001

Feyenoord lineup: Zoetebier, Collen, De Haan, Van Wonderen, Rzasa, Emerton, Bosvelt, Paauwe, Ono, Van Hooijdonk and Tomasson. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Eslhot, Schoenmakers, Van Gessel, Allach, Matthijs, Boussaboun, Broerse, Tuhuteru, Hugo and Robben. Feyenoord did just enough to win this match and not enough to give them a confidence booster going into the coming week's Champions League encounter with Sparta Prague. Groningen could do little to profit from the home team's caution and Shinji Ono, the 'Japanese Wizard', put away the only goal of the match for the Rotterdammers after 54 minutes (his first for the club and a crisp header it was!). Feyenoord climb to 2nd place behind Ajax while Groningen stay in 16th and see the clubs above them pulling away.

AZ's Matthijs returns to Groningen

11 Oct 2001

AZ's Paul Matthijs is returning to play for Groningen (where he came up through the youth scheme) after the two clubs reached agreement on a €400,000 Euro fee for the midfielder. The 24 year-old, who's signed a contract till 2006, played 79 matches for the Oosterpark side between 1997 and 2000 before moving to Alkmaar where he played 27 matches last season but has made few appearances since coach Henk van Stee's arrival

Groningen offer Haukur Gudnasson trial

10 Oct 2001

KR Reykjavik striker Haukur Gudnasson is currently on trial with Groningen. In 1997 the 23 year-old left his old club ÍBK, in his home town Keflavik, to try his luck with Liverpool but didn't settle in there and returned on hire to KR Reykjavik. He's keen to play abroad again and hopes the northerners will be sufficiently impressed this time round by his efforts during training and practice matches to offer him a contract. He's been on trial with the club before in July 2000, when he competed for a place against Mustapha El Idrissi (who eventually got the job).

El Idrissi returns to France

05 Oct 2001

Mustapha El Idrissi and Groningen have reached a mutual agreement to end the player's contract - the 23 year-old striker is returning to France (partly for personal reasons) where he will look for a new club. He joined the Oosterpark side from Portugese club Santa Clara in 2000 and still had a contract with Groningen till 2004.

Groningen go down 1 - 4 to Ajax

30 Sept 2001

FC Groningen: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Schoenmakers, Allach, Johansson, Hoogstrate, Hugo, Broerse, Tuhuteru, Drent and Robben. Ajax: Grim, Trabelsi, Chivu, Bergdølmo, De Cler, O'Brien, Yakubu, Van der Vaart, van der Meyde, Ibrahimovic and Wamberto. Ajax may have been a little nervous travelling to Gronin

Torma returns to Roda

28 Sept 2001

Gabor Torma is returning to Roda from Groningen who bought him during the summer but had a clause included in the contract allowing them to pull out before October 1st. The striker is suffering from a recurring knee injury and the northerners have decided to make use of the clause and returned him to the Kerkrade club.

NEC beat Groningen 1 - 0

23 Sept 2001

NEC lineup: Gentenaar, Schuurman, Hesp, Wisgerhof, Leiwakabessy, Simr, Schultz, Latuheru, Zonneveld, Demouge and Jansen. Groningen lineup: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Allach, Schoenmakers, Paul Janssen, van Gessel, Hugo, Broerse, Tuhuteru, Drent and Robben. NEC got their 2nd win of the season today against visitors who hid behind a defensive wall. The home team were just that bit stronger but had a hard time getting past the ruthless Groningen defence (a number of yellow cards were handed out). A Stefan Jansen goal in the 48th livened things up a bit but NEC remained more or less in control. Groningen threw in lots of crosses for Dennis Gerritsen and they were awarded a penalty, 20 minutes before time, when the tall striker was brought down. Unfortunately for them goalie Dennis Gentenaar managed to save Joost Broerse's shot.

Groningen beat Twente 3 - 0

16 Sept 2001

Groningen won surprisingly easily against "The Tukkers" - a Joost Broerse spot-shot put Groningen ahead in the 33rd minute after Arjen Robben took a bit of a 'dive' in the box. Twente had several good chances to score but wasted them while Groningen didn't - Martin Drent blasted one in 'out of the blue' in the 45th for the 2 - 1 and Ignacio Tuhuteru curled another into the far corner, out of reach of Sander Boschker, in the 76th to give the Oosterpark team the points.

Groningen extend Elshot's contract

16 Sept 2001

Groningen have extended Kurt Elshot's contract till 2005. The 24 year-old defender (who was being watched closely by other Ere Divisie clubs) made his debut for the northerners in the club's 1 - 0 away win against FC Utrecht on March 31st 1996 and has played 140 professional matches since.

El Idrissi back in Groningen's 1st team

13 Sept 2001

El Idrissi has been back in training with Groningen's 1st team squad today for the first time since he was dropped from the team a month ago as a 'punishment' for regularly turning up late for practice. He will not be staying with them for long though, despite his contract which runs till 2004, because he's reached agreement with the club that he can start to look for a new employer - his preference is a return to France, where he was born.

Utrecht beat Groningen 3 - 1

09 Sept 2001

Utrecht have yet to earn themselves a point this season! They lost 1 - 0 at Twente in theirng match, went down 3 - 1 at Sparta and lost 1 - 0 to Vitesse. Groningend with a 2 - 2 home draw against PSV, followed it up with a 1 - 0 win against Willem II and lost 4 - 0 at RKC. Utrecht lined-up: Wapenaar,Vreven, Touzani, Zwaanswijk, Bosschaart, Jean-Paul de Jong, Arts, Tanghe, van den Bergh, Kuyt and Gluscevic. Groningen lined-up: Beukenkamp, Elshot, Allach, Schoenmakers, Johansson, van Gessel, Hugo, Broerse, Visser, Drent and Tuhuteru. Utrecht won their first points of the season not so much because they were so good (their forwards were sloppy and wasted a lot of chances) but because they fought hard for their win. The 1st half was characterised by bad passing and plenty of those missedngs (Tanghe and Gluscevic both missed early on) - Jean-Paul de Jongd the score for the Domstad team in the 12th. Groningen began to wise up to the fact that Utrecht's frontline was off-form and decided to join in the match, Ignacio Tuhuteru equalizing for them in the 32nd. The 2nd half was better entertainment - Utrecht fighting hard but being denied by the good work of goalie Beukenkamp (he dealt alertly with efforts from Van den Bergh and Tanghe). They were finally rewarded for their efforts by a penalty in the 71st minute, after Stijn Vreven was brought down in the area ,giving Dirk Kuyt the chance to make it 2 - 1.  Dave van den Bergh put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute providing a much needed confidence booster for Utrecht who have Thursday's UEFA Cup meeting with Grazer AK ahead of them.

Groningen to sell El Idrissi

04 Sept 2001

Mustapha El Idrissi and Groningen's general director Hans Nijland have been dicussing the striker's future with the club and have reached a decision that it would be better for the 23 year-old Moroccan to start looking for a new club. He joined them in the summer of 2000 from Belgian side Excelsior Mouscron and initially made a good impression. However, he then spent a long time time on the injured list and, once fit again, failed to get back into the 1st team. During the summer he was 'disciplined' for consistently turning up late for training by being 'relegated' to the reserve team.

RKC beat Groningen 4 - 0

26 Aug 2001

RKC will be pleased that they've won this one - they've made a bad start to the season but, after today's convincing rout of Groningen, seem to be back in touch with their distinctive formula. The Northerners were a pale shadow of the team that started the season by holding PSV to a 2 - 2 draw, looking sluggish, as if the heat was sapping the energy out of their legs and spent much of the match chasing after the Waalwijkers who could pretty much go and do as they pleased! Johan Gudjonsson gave them the first goal in the 12th minute and added a 2nd from the spot in the 32nd. Another penalty in the 39th was put away by Rick Hoogendorp and Yuri Cornelisse made it 4 - 0 in the 44th. After the break the home team also started to suffer from the blazing heat while Groningen remained their aimless selves - they can be grateful that Cornelisse (twice), John van Loenhout and substitutes Abdeslam Assouiki (post) and Dejan Govedarica were all off target - the final score could have been much worse!

Groningen draw with PSV 2 - 2

19 Aug 2001

The Champions must been getting feelings of 'déja vu' - they lost theirng match last season 0 - 2 to lowly De Graafschap - and now here they are already 1 - 0 down to Groningen after Joost Broerse hit them between the eyes in the 6th minute. The Eindhoven defence was full-of-holes this evening and Hugo added to their misery with a 2nd for the home team in the 57th but provided his own by being sent off for 'hands ball' in the 68th. Mateja Kezman reduced the gap with the spot-shot and PSV went on the hunt for more goals but Bruggink, Van Bommel and De Jong all missed target before Jan "the man" (as the English insist on calling him) Vennegoor of Hesselink dekivered the first instalment on his repayments for being signed by heading in an equalizer in the 86th from a Wilfred Bouma cross.

Drent back in action for Groningen

18 Aug 2001

Groningen have brought Martin Drent back in from the cold (he was suspended for unprofessional conduct) and he will rejoin the 1st team squad after the match against PSV tonight. He'd shown his better side training with the reserve squad but teammate Mustapha El Idrissi, who was also suspended, remains in the doghouse, for the time being at least!

Groningen expel Drent and Idrissi

10 Aug 2001

Groningen have expelled Martin Drent and Mustapha El Idrissi for an unspecified length of time from the 1st eleven for unprofessional behaviour in the run-up to the new season. A series of misdemeanours by both players has led to the disciplinary action being taken. It's not the first time for Drent who was dropped at the beginning of the year for going absent without leave (in order to party all-night during the winter camp on Cyprus).

Groningen miss Van den Herik

27 July 2001

Groningen will be without Wouter van den Herik for the coming few months as has picked up Glandular Fever (also known as mononucleosis infectiosa or 'the kissing disease' and its symptoms include chronic fatigue). The 21 year-old defender joined the northerners from Telstar in the summer of 2000 where he was a striker but Groningen see him as their left-back for the future. He will be resting for an indefinite period until the symptoms disappear. I wish him all the best as I've had the virus myself and know what an effect it can have! Get well soon Wouter!

No transfer for Martin Drent

23 July 2001

When is a transfer not a transfer? When there are too many'"managers and agents" asking for too much money!!! It looked certain (how many times have I read/heard that?) that Martin Drent was set to join FC Sankt Pauli (he'd even played 70 minutes football for them in a friendly against AEK Athene) when the German side 'discovered' that the Dutchman wanted too high a salary. According to Dutch public broadcaster the NOS' site, various "managers" suddenly appeared with wage demands that the club couldn't afford. Well I never, what a surprise, never heard about this kind of mixup before!! Anyway, the net result is that 31 year-old Drent misses out on a spell in Germany and only wants to concentrate on his football for Groningen!

Martin Drent signs for 1.FC Sankt Pauli?

21 July 2001

Groningen's Martin Drent has signed a contract with German side 1. FC St. Pauli for two years after both clubs agreed to the transfer. The striker, who's excited at the prospect of a transfer to the German league, now has the opportunity to get a taste of life and football in Hamburg.

Groningen looking into artificial grass

20 July 2001

Groningen are considering installing artificial grass in their new Euroborg stadium only days after Ajax were given a provisional go-ahead to use it in the Amsterdam ArenA. As we've already reported, Feyenoord have handed in their objection to the Dutch FA (KNVB) regarding the weatherproof surface, claiming that it would give teams using it an unfair advantage. Groningen's technical staff will still have to be convinced before it would become a serious option for the northerners' new home. Rapid improvements are being booked in the development of artificial grass and the pressure could mount during the coming months to allow its use.

Van Gessel returns to Groningen

19 July 2001

Heerenveen's Sander van Gessel is returning for a year on loan to his former club Groningen whio hace also taken out an option to buy him at the end of the coming season. The 24 year-old midfielder previously played 8 seasons in Groningen before moving to Friesland in August 2000.