Friday, October 31, 2025 at 3:07 PM
After the disappointing result in the cup match against Sparta Rotterdam on Thursday evening, FC Groningen only has a short run-up period to next Sunday’s competition match against FC Twente. The elimination in Rotterdam must be processed quickly, because in two days’ time the team of head coach Dick Lukkien will play in Euroborg in round 11 of the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie. The kick-off on Sunday afternoon against the team from Enschede is at the classic football time of 2:30 PM.
Season ticket and club card holders (who had an active club card on June 30, 2025 at the latest) of FC Groningen can order the last available tickets via https://tickets.fcgroningen.nl.
After a very good first half from the Groningen side at Spangen Castle, a rather disastrous second act followed on Thursday evening. Since the Pride of the North had not made the necessary difference before half time, it left opponent Sparta alive. In fact, four Rotterdam goals conceded after the break resulted in an unforeseen and unexpected turnaround.
However, Lukkien is already combative again a day later. “This is part of football. We have to accept the loss and process the disappointment quickly. But I have no doubts about that. Players and staff are eager to show themselves again. I am convinced that we will be ready to play again on Sunday.”
Selection
It is still unclear whether this also applies to Etienne Vaessen. The goalkeeper received a settlement offer from the professional football prosecutor for a one-match suspension after his red card for handball outside his own penalty area and thus depriving the opponent of a clear scoring opportunity. FC Groningen views that situation differently and is contesting the decision for that reason. The oral hearing of the case will be held this evening (Friday – ed.) in Zeist. It is still unknown when the verdict will be announced. (It was announced on Saturday morning that the red card had been dismissed -ed.)
Furthermore, the day after Thursday evening’s cup match, it is still unclear what the match selection for next Sunday will look like. Lukkien: “There are always small aches and pains after matches, but it seems that we can compete quite completely. We have another training tomorrow and a day of recovery, then on Sunday morning we will see who is ready and who may not be.”
Player of the Match
This season, supporters will again choose the Player of the Match by casting a vote via https://www.fcgroningen.nl/motm. You can vote on Sunday afternoon from the first to the last whistle. The results of the ‘Man of the Match’ election will be counted in the final election for the 2026 Player of the Year.
FC Groningen – FC Twente in round 11 of the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie will be led by referee Joey Kooij on Sunday afternoon from 2:30 PM. Watch Dick Lukkien’s full preview via the video player below, in which the head coach looks back on the lost cup match with Sparta Rotterdam, answers the question of the week from a supporter and discusses the strength of the opponent from Enschede.
