KNVB Beker Champions!

By: Porter | May 17th, 2009

Led by Trond Sollied in his debut season in-charge, Heerenveen have won the KNVB Beker as they defeated Twente in hard-fought battle that came down the penalties. The victory caps a remarkable season for the Norwegian manager, who left Belgian side Gent after Gertjan Verbeek moved on to Feyenoord and despite many calls for his job mid-season, he emerged with a historic trophy for Heerenveen.

The match started poorly for Twente as they lost both Marko Arnautović and Peter Wisgerhof within the first quarter hour and were forced to make a series of tactical adjustments. Heerenveen took the lead four minutes before the half-hour as Christian Grindheim’s free-kick from the right was volleyed in by Macedonia international Goran Popov from close-range. The match was leveled nine minutes after the restart when a long diagonal ball was poorly played by Heerenveen keeper Hans Vonk and Kristian Bak Nielsen with Blaise Nkufo out-racing them to the byline. The Swiss international quickly supplied the ball to Eljero Elia on his left, who then moved into box beating Michel Breuer finding the back of the net. Both sides had ample effort to go ahead in regulation time but somehow the match went to added-time. With eight minutes remaining, Bonaventure Kalou sent a simple effort from the edge of the area that took a pin-balled off Douglas and past Sander Boschker into the net. With Heerenveen closing in the victory, Twente shocked them with the leveler as a long cross from the left was headed in by Youssouf Hersi from six metres out. Seconds ticked down with Twente pouring on the pressure with a late effort pushed off the line sending the match to penalties. After Theo Janssen, Viktor Elm, Blaise Kufo and Michael Dingsdag canceled out each others successful efforts, Youssouf Hersi sent his drive over the bar giving Heerenveen the advantage. Michel Breuer and Bonaventure Kalou efforts were equally matched by Twente, setting the stage for Gerald Sibon.

Thirty five years of age, with the hopes of dreams riding on his effort, he did not disappoint as Heerenveen can now claim the KNVB Beker!