Sparta had a difficult time in the initial phase against the ‘giant killer’ of last season. Hercules put full pressure and Sparta was sloppy with the ball. After ten minutes the storm had subsided without any real big opportunities. Sparta got more grip on the ball, but Hercules was still dangerous every now and then. Every time the man who single-handedly eliminated Ajax last season, Tim Pieters, touched the ball, a cheer went up from the sports park.
