Singel Odijk, I walk into the park with a smile. I wasn’t there last week, so I’m really looking forward to seeing the men compete in yellow/black again today. It’s dry, but the grass is wet and the temperature is great… in short: football weather!
On field 1 the women completely miss their opponent; it’s going to be 12-3 or something like that. Not really a usual result, but the fun radiates from it. They show no mercy, and I actually feel a little sorry for the opponent.
Something legendary is also happening on field 2. Roy’s boys play a super fun game under the watchful eye of fanatical parents, friends and girlfriends. This group of friends has been playing together for several years and also has a lot of fun outside of football. And that’s what makes it so beautiful… but some talent also disappears into oblivion. That is sometimes a shame, but these boys are a nice calling card for the club. They beat Sterrenwijk, and attacker Yunus played the match of his life. He scores three times and is the big man on the Singel.
There is a changing of the guard in the boardroom and the details are discussed. Delicious drinks and meals are again provided in the canteen by Annemieke de Vos and Willem-Jan Gesink, among others. With a smile on their faces they contribute to this beautiful club… tribute to everyone again.
In the recently named “Brain Room of Odijk”, The Big M clears away the chessboards and rolls out his magnetic board again. He is having a hard time and is restless. He has extensive personnel problems: Nemo has to walk a fashion show in Milan, Mitchel is looking for a company outing together with Sjalot, and to top it all off, Niels suddenly doubts whether his body can handle today’s battle. We are looking for a replacement, but apparently the priorities lie elsewhere than at Odijk 1! Very frustrating, but apparently that’s part of the times, and I can’t get used to that.
On the way to OSM ’75
But the switch turns, because we have to go to Het Pheasant Camp in Maarssenbroek: OSM75. Marius indicates what he wants to see differently after the two lost points last week. He also clearly expresses his confidence and says he has a good feeling. After Axel shows some new dance moves from the ADE scene, we leave for the A2. In the canteen I am held on to by a tense man… it is Paul Middelwijk, he has to play goalkeeper and asks for some advice. I tell him not to be too difficult and just stop the balls. He brightens up and stands under that bar.
We arrive in Maarssenbroek and meet an opponent who has won everything and has not conceded a goal. In short, full of self-confidence. The welcome in the boardroom is warm. There are some super friendly women making crafts… nice to see. It turns out to be the board. We have a cup of coffee and I go to the dressing room. There the heads are tense and The Big M paces between the boys and places some one-liners here and there. The tiger balm smell wafts through the locker room and the tape goes around. Great, that competitive tension, I love it. This is for the sake of it, playing in the lion’s den!
The match starts
The supporters from Odijk were able to find the sports park. Roodenburg senior is already cold and is wearing a cap and hoodie. Van Moer senior is also there as usual. Even my children come to watch. And of course Uncle Frank Rutting is there to watch his nephew Marius and son Matthijs. Super fun… that’s good for you as an Odijker!
The match starts and we start furiously. After a beautiful combination attack, Quinten gives the final touch and makes it 0-1. He MUST then make 0-2, but shoots the ball towards The Wall. Fortunately, Roel quickly scores 0-2, but we fail to decide the match before half time. Too many opportunities are missed.
Rest. We think we enjoy the lead and fool around a bit. This much to Marius’ annoyance. He is not happy at all and indicates that we are not there yet. After the week before, he is not sure… something involving a donkey and a stone. The focus returns and the second half begins.
After about ten minutes something magical happens. It seems like everything is going in slow motion for a moment. AXA defends the ball with its chest out, and the ball ends up with Roel. He strokes the ball in a velvety way with the outside right to the profound Moerinho. He sprints along the sideline and gives a tight cross to Quinten at the far post. Quinten doesn’t think about it and takes it all in his stride… 0-3! Insane! What a beauty of a goal. Total madness with everything and everyone that Odijk is. The Jumbo Brigade plays in white, so we can call this goal royal.
The tension returns but Odijk continues to fight
Marius imagines himself as Ancelotti and takes another piece of gum. He even starts laughing, which is nice to see. Out of nowhere it becomes 1-3 and the tension is back. But Moerinho just does what he does every week: score, 1-4. After OSM makes it 2-4, there is still some time to play and it is a matter of survival.
But then the men get up again. Jesper radiates calm and confidence. Stijn is tireless again. Hidde is having a hard time, but is struggling to get over it. Koen with a C directs things from behind, and Axel runs the entire match with the opponent’s striker in his pocket. Roel and Matthijs play with the knife between their teeth. And Nico and Jerome… well, Nico and Jerome. These are two guys that you can count on as a trainer. So much experience and football skills, that’s fun in a team.
Not to disrespect the rest, but it remains a pleasure to watch. We also have two at the front that have kept the opponent awake for a week: Julian and Quinten. But especially the team performance and the competition mentality are great and make people happy. El Blanco came back in and joined the battle, which we deservedly won in the end.
Party in the dressing room
Party in the dressing room… crazy. Finally another victory photo! When I get home, I roll over the bags that are next to the bag rack. The third party enjoys their victory. Paul is happy and grateful. He followed my advice and it wasn’t that difficult at all. Zero goals allowed… class, Paultje! I’m proud of you. We are all proud of each other.
We relax at a table and drink a nice glass of wine. Myrthe drinks a nice glass of wine and talks about her football career. Wim tells a story that I replace with dots… On to next week!
During the match in Maarssenbroek there were comments and frustration on both sides, which is quite a thing. Maybe we should do something about that. We are talking about the coarsening of society, and football is no different. I don’t have the solution at hand, but first let’s all look in the mirror and ask ourselves what we can do about it. That would already be an important step.
Because in the end it is and remains just a game. There are worse battles to be fought. We also realize that again this week.
I’m thinking of someone… and we’re all thinking of someone. That is a completely different match and ultimately that is the match of your life.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it will be won!
All photos can be found in the media gallery
