Thursday 28 August 2025 at 13:00
On the day of Groningen Relief, FC Groningen completed the last training in the run -up to the second home game of this new football season. Tomorrow evening (Friday) the pride of the North against Heracles Almelo defends the Vesting Euroborg. The kick -off is at 8 p.m. After winning at rival SC Heerenveen, the men of head coach Dick Lukkien want to show in front of his own audience, just like army captain Carl van Rabenhaupt in 1672 full of energy.
FC Groningen kicks off 4 of the Eredivisie VriendenLoterij Keurnonde 4 on Friday evening. It is the day after the city of Groningen was successfully passed on the siege of the bishop of Münster in 1672 in 1672, led by Carl von Rabenhaupt, nicknamed bombs Berend. With the same determination of the time, the men of Lukkien now want to be successful against Heracles Almelo. “We are looking forward to playing in a full Euroborg again. We are going to do everything again to keep the points in Groningen. We are preparing for a beautiful atmosphere and beautiful evening.” (Text continues under the photo)
Selection
Lukkien can do that against Heracles in the knowledge that he can have three players more than last week in Eindhoven. FC Groningen has finally received the green light from FIFA for the employability of defender Elvis van der Laan, the suspension of goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen is on it and midfielder Tygo Land is brand newly affiliated with the group and entitled to play. Only Noam Emeran is missing due to an injury. (Text continues under the photo)

Player of the year
Also this season the supporters will again choose the player of the game by casting a vote via https://www.fcgroningen.nl/motm. You can vote on Saturday evening until the last whistle. The result of the ‘Man of the Match’ election is included in the final election for the player of the year 2026.
Referee
FC Groningen – Heracles Almelo will be led by referee Rob Dieperink on Friday evening from 8 p.m. View the full preview of Dick Lukkien via the videoplayer below, in which the head coach briefly looks back on last week’s match and discusses the arrival of midfielder Tygo Land and again answers the question of the week of a supporter.
Key Match Data and Insights
To provide a deeper understanding of teh upcoming match, here’s a table summarizing key data points and offering insights:
| Category | FC Groningen | Heracles Almelo | Insight/Comparison |
|———————-|—————————————————-|—————————————————-|———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-|
| Current Form | Won against Heerenveen | (To be updated with recent results) | A win for Groningen demonstrates good form. Heracles’ current form will be crucial. |
| Goals Scored (Season) | (To be updated with season stats) | (To be updated with season stats) | Objective: Provides a comparative view of the teams’ attacking prowess. |
| Goals Conceded (Season) | (To be updated with season stats) | (To be updated with season stats) | Highlights defensive strengths and weaknesses, which might be reflected in the match outcome. |
| Key Players to watch | Considerations: Players on the rise, that have gained momentum and show consistency New acquisitions such as Elvis van der Laan and Tygo Land | (To be updated with key player data for Heracles) | Could be a player who has just returned to the group after recovering in the infirmary. Could be a recently recruited player who has just received play permission. |
| Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches) | (To be updated with recent match results) | (To be updated with recent match results) | Helps assess historical performance and trends between the two teams, offering valuable context for predicting the match’s possibilities. |
| Tactical Approach | likely to maintain the momentum from the win against SC Heerenveen. | (To be updated with expected tactical approach) | Provides useful information about a team’s style of play and potential. |
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
To help our fans stay informed and provide additional perspective on the game, we’ve compiled a detailed FAQ section:
Q: When and where is the match between FC Groningen and Heracles Almelo taking place?
A: The match takes place Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Euroborg stadium. Kick-off is at 8 p.m.
Q: What’s FC Groningen’s form like currently?
A: FC Groningen won their last match against SC Heerenveen.The team will be focused on continuing their momentum and securing another victory in front of their home crowd.
Q: Are there any new player acquisitions or returning players for FC Groningen?
A: Yes, FC Groningen has received FIFA’s green light for defender Elvis van der Laan, the suspension of goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen has been lifted, and midfielder Tygo Land is now available.
Q: Who is the referee for the match?
A: Rob Dieperink will be in charge of the match.
Q: How can I vote for the “Man of the Match”?
A: You can vote for your Player of the Match on Saturday evening at https://www.fcgroningen.nl/motm. The voting will be open until the final whistle.
Q: Can we expect a full Euroborg for the match?
A: The team is anticipating a full Euroborg Stadium. Expect a lively atmosphere, with the fans enthusiastically supporting their side.
Q: Where can I watch the pre-match analysis and the press conference with Dick Lukkien?
A: A full match preview with head coach Dick Lukkien is available on the official FC Groningen website. Join us as he reflects on the previous week and addresses the week’s questions from the supporter.