2015 KNVB Cup final explained

2015 KNVB Cup final
Event:2014–15 KNVB Cup
Team1:PEC Zwolle
Team1score:0
Team2:FC Groningen
Team2score:2
Date:3 May 2015
Stadium:De Kuip
City:Rotterdam
Attendance:50,000
Previous:2014
Next:2016

The 2015 KNVB Cup final was an association football match between PEC Zwolle and FC Groningen on 3 May 2015 at De Kuip, Rotterdam. It was the final match of the 2014–15 KNVB Cup and the 97th final of the Dutch cup competition, the KNVB Cup.

Zwolle were appearing in their fourth KNVB Cup final and were the defending champions, having won the trophy for the first time the previous year by defeating Ajax 5–1. Groningen reached the cup final once before when they lost to PSV in 1989. PEC and Groningen entered the competition in the second round and progressed through five rounds to reach the final. Zwolle won after extra time in the quarter-final and were victorious in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final. After defeating amateur clubs in the second and third rounds, Groningen eliminated three professional sides from the competition by a three-goal difference or more. En route to the final, Groningen scored the most goals of all teams during the cup season, netting 22 goals.

PEC were considered the slight favourites by the bookmakers; the predictions of experts were mixed. Watched by a crowd of 50,000, the first half was goalless as both sides struggled to create goalscoring chances. In the 64th minute, Albert Rusnák put Groningen 1–0 in front after his shot was deflected off Zwolle's Joost Broerse into the net. Around ten minutes later, Rusnák netted his second to double Groningen's lead. The assist for the goal came from Jarchinio Antonia, who was subbed on during the second half. Groningen held on to their 2–0 lead to claim the cup, the club's first major honour. Maikel Kieftenbeld, the Groningen captain, praised the collective effort from the team. By winning the cup, Groningen qualified for the 2015 Johan Cruyff Shield and the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage.

Route to the final

PEC Zwolle

-- + PEC Zwolle -->RoundOppositionScore
scope=row style="text-align:center" 2ndFC Oss (h)3–2
scope=row style="text-align:center" 3rdHHC Hardenberg (h)6–1
scope=row style="text-align:center" 4thVVV-Venlo (a)1–0
scope=row style="text-align:center" Quarter-finalSC Cambuur (a)3–2 (a.e.t.)
scope=row style="text-align:center" Semi-finalFC Twente (a)1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p)
Key: (h) = Home venue; (a) = Away venue; a.e.t. = after extra time; p = penalty shoot-out
Zwolle began, as a professional side and defending KNVB Cup champions, their campaign for the 2014–15 KNVB Cup in September 2014 in the second round.[1] They were drawn against FC Oss of the Eerste Divisie, meeting in Zwolle. PEC narrowly defeated the visitors by three goals to two with goals from Jesper Drost (2) and Tomáš Necid.[2] In the third round Zwolle met local amateur club HHC Hardenberg at home. HHC headed against the crossbar before Zwolle midfielder Thomas Lam put the home side 1–0 in front. Lam added a second and third goal in the first half to complete a hat-trick. HHC found the back of the Zwolle net before Thanasis Karagounis put PEC 4–1 up before half-time. In the second half Bart van Hintum added a fifth goal for Zwolle, scoring from a free-kick, before Ben Rienstra put the ball in the top corner of the HHC goal, with Zwolle winning 6–1.[3] VVV-Venlo were PEC's opponents in the fourth round, meeting in Venlo. Necid put Zwolle 1–0 ahead early in the first half after converting a cross from Van Hintum. In the last minutes of the match, VVV equalised, but the goal was disallowed after Warner Hahn, PEC's goalkeeper, was fouled. Zwolle held on and progressed to the quarter-final.[4] None of the "Big Three" teams—Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV—reached the quarter-final; it was the sixth time it happened since 1956 and the first time since 2008–09.[5]

PEC were drawn away against Eredivisie club Cambuur in the quarter-final. Lam scored the opening goal with a header, marking his fourth goal of the cup season. Hahn made a string of saves during the first half to preserve Zwolle's lead. Early in the second half Ryan Thomas doubled PEC's lead from outside the box before former Zwolle player Furdjel Narsingh scored twice in five minutes for Cambuur to bring the score level. The match went to extra time, where Jody Lukoki netted a third for the visitors. PEC held on and proceeded to the semi-final of the KNVB Cup for the third consecutive year.[6] The win marked coach Ron Jans's tenth win in ten cup matches whilst at PEC.[7] PEC were paired with Twente in the semi-final, with the match held at Twente's De Grolsch Veste. It was the seventh time both sides met in the cup, with Twente winning all previous meetings, including the 1977 final. Twente were also unbeaten against PEC Zwolle at home.[8] Former Twente player Wout Brama put PEC 1–0 ahead in the 82nd minute before Twente equalised five minutes later. The game went to extra time, where neither side found the back of the net. Zwolle won the penalty shoot-out 4–2 with Czech forward Necid scoring the winner with a Panenka penalty kick.[9] [10]

FC Groningen

-- + FC Groningen -->RoundOppositionScore
scope=row style="text-align:center" 2ndBVV Barendrecht (a)4–1
scope=row style="text-align:center" 3rdFlevo Boys (a)8–1
scope=row style="text-align:center" 4thFC Volendam (h)3–0
scope=row style="text-align:center" Quarter-finalSBV Vitesse (h)4–0
scope=row style="text-align:center" Semi-finalExcelsior Rotterdam (h)3–0
Key: (h) = Home venue; (a) = Away venue
Groningen entered the 2014–15 KNVB Cup, as a professional club, in the second round where they faced amateur club Barendrecht. Played in Barendrecht, Groningen won 4–1 with goals from Danny Hoesen, Michael de Leeuw, Nick van der Velden and Jarchinio Antonia.[11] Groningen were again drawn against an amateur club in the following round, meeting Flevo Boys away. Groningen proceeded to the fourth round with a convincing 8–1 victory, with Hoesen, Yoëll van Nieff, De Leeuw (4), Dino Islamović and Johan Kappelhof finding the net.[12] De Leeuw scored a hat-trick in five minutes, and Groningen recorded their tied-biggest away win in the club's history.[13] In the fourth round they were drawn against Eerste Divisie side Volendam at Euroborg, Groningen's home ground.[14] [15] Mimoun Mahi put Groningen 1–0 ahead shortly before half-time, Van der Velden converted a penalty kick halfway through the second half and De Leeuw scored Groningen's third shortly before full-time. The club proceeded to the quarter-final with a 3–0 victory.

Groningen faced Eredivisie side Vitesse at home in the quarter-final. The visitors dominated during the first hour, but it remained goalless. Around the 60th minute, De Leeuw's header was saved by Vitesse defender Guram Kashia on the goalline, using his hand. Kashia was sent off, and Groningen were awarded a penalty kick. De Leeuw's shot was saved but Tjaronn Chery found the back of the Vitesse net in the rebound. De Leeuw doubled the score five minutes later before Van Nieff added a third for Groningen; he passed two Vitesse defenders and put the ball in the top corner. Maikel Kieftenbeld scored the fourth goal with a volley. Groningen defeated Vitesse 4–0 and progressed to the semi-final for the first time since 1988–89.[16] [17] The semi-final, played at Euroborg, was against Eredivisie club Excelsior, who made their first appearance in a KNVB Cup semi-final since 1977–78.[18] Playing before a sold-out crowd, Groningen were without key players De Leeuw, who was ill, and Eric Botteghin, who was suspended. Excelsior were the better side during the opening stages of the game, but it remained goalless. Hans Hateboer, Groningen's right-back and Botteghin's replacement, put the home side 1–0 ahead after 40 minutes. Albert Rusnák added a second goal early in the second half before Chery scored a third for Groningen in the 88th minute. Botteghin, who watched the game with the Groningen ultras, ran on the pitch after the final whistle to celebrate with Groningen coach Erwin van de Looi.[19]

Pre-match

PEC Zwolle were appearing in the KNVB Cup final for the second consecutive year and for the fourth time in history. They lost the 1928 final against RCH and were runners-up in the 1977 final against Twente. PEC won the cup for the first time in 2014, defeating Ajax 5–1.[20] Jans, the Zwolle coach, showed his squad video messages of their family members before the match;[21] Jans was hailed as a "motivator" by the Dagblad van het Noorden.[22] It was the club's first major trophy.[23] Groningen, founded in 1971,[24] reached the final once before when they lost 4–1 to PSV in 1989.[25] Groningen were already 1–0 down after two minutes when Romário scored, the fastest goal in KNVB Cup final history.[26] PEC and Groningen, both described by the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting as "provincial clubs", played each other once in the Eredivisie during the season; Zwolle won 2–0 at home. Both sides were in the top half of the league table, with PEC one place and four points ahead of Groningen after 32 matches.[27] The final marked the third meeting between both in the cup; in 1981, Zwolle won 3–2 at home with Jans playing for PEC, and in 2001, Groningen recorded a 3–0 victory with goals from Martin Drent, Joost Broerse and Arjen Robben.[28]

Several figures had ties to both clubs. Broerse started his career at Groningen but played since 2012 for PEC.[29] Another Zwolle player who started his career at Groningen was Stef Nijland.[30] His father, Hans, had been Groningen's chief executive officer since the 1990s.[31] [32] Jans played for Groningen and later coached the club from 2002 to 2010.[33] Jans stated after the draw for the semi-finals that he hoped to meet Groningen in the final.[34] Botteghin, the Groningen defender, played for Zwolle from 2007 until 2011. Several days before the final the coaches and captains of both teams attended the mandatory press conference in Zeist. Jans and Van de Looi also posed with the cup but Van de Looi did not want to touch the trophy.

PEC were considered the slight favourites: bookmaker William Hill offered odds of 7/5 on a Zwolle win and 17/10 on a Groningen victory. Zwolle were also considered the slight favourites at Ladbrokes, bwin and Unibet.[35] The experts' predictions were mixed. FOX Sports analyst Arnold Bruggink considered PEC the favourites due to having a stronger squad and already having played the cup final the previous year. Hugo Borst, presentator at the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, predicted a Groningen victory as they were "hungrier" for success.[36] [37] Former football player, writing in the Friesch Dagblad, considered Necid and Drost key players for Zwolle, while Chery and Botteghin were deemed the most important players for Groningen. Drost scored eight goals and registered seven assists during the Eredivisie season; Chery had fourteen goals and five assists. Van der Heide described PEC's style as "clean positional play" and stated that Van de Looi mainly formed his plans based on the quality of his players. Groningen scored the most goals of all teams during the cup season, netting 22 goals. De Leeuw scored seven and was one goal behind Arkadiusz Milik of Ajax, the season's top goal scorer in the cup.

The final, the 97th in the competition's history, was held at De Kuip in Rotterdam, venue of the KNVB Cup final since 1989. Both clubs took 18,000 fans to De Kuip,[38] transported by around 500 buses in total.[39] As PEC were regarded as the home team they wore their home kit and were awarded the home dressing room. PEC's Maikel van der Werff was suspended for the final, while Karagounis was still injured. Groningen's only absentee was Nick Bakker, who missed the match due to injury. Just before heading for Rotterdam, Van de Looi surprised his squad with a lunch with their family members. Van de Looi concluded it strengthened the "feeling of invincibility" within the team.[40]

Match

Summary

PEC Zwolle kicked off the match at 6 pm CEST,[41] [42] refereed by .[43] Within the first minute, a dangerous shot by De Leeuw was blocked by Broerse. PEC goalkeeper Hahn almost put the ball from the resulting corner kick in his own goal. In the 8th minute, Lukoki hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box but Groningen defender Rasmus Lindgren blocked the effort. Two minutes later Lukoki crossed the ball but Necid's header was blocked by Botteghin. In the 13th minute, Lindgren fouled Necid. The resulting free kick was headed away by Mahi. The game ebbed back and forth within the first 15 minutes; shortly afterwards, both sides became cautious of potential counter-attacks, resulting in both teams creating fewer goalscoring chances. RTV Noord reported Groningen were playing more nervously than PEC; several minutes later Groningen grew into the game. Around the 30th minute Chery dribbled through the Zwolle defence but could not find a shot. Seven minutes later Lukoki dribbled through the defence of Groningen, although he put his shot just wide of the post. The first half remained goalless. During half-time Van de Looi replaced Lorenzo Burnet, who struggled against Lukoki, with Hateboer. Kappelhof moved to left-back with Hateboer taking the right-back position.

In the 50th minute, Mahi headed the ball to De Leeuw, who saw his shot saved by the legs of Hahn. Five minutes later Drost went down in Groningen's penalty area, but the referee waved away any penalty claims. In PEC's following attack Thomas hit a powerful shot but it was saved by Sergio Padt. In the 62nd minute, Mahi was subbed off and replaced by Antonia. Two minutes later Antonia's cross was deflected off a Zwolle defender; the ball fell to Rusnák, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected off Broerse's leg into Zwolle's goal, putting Groningen 1–0 in front. Jans already wanted to sub off Broerse before Rusnák scored; he was replaced by Trent Sainsbury. Shortly afterwards Antonia put in another dangerous cross, but Sainsbury cleared the ball. In the 75th minute, Rusnák scored his second to put Groningen 2–0 ahead. Antonia crossed the ball to the Slovak player, who stormed in and put the ball in the far corner of the Zwolle goal. Several minutes later Padt saved a well-placed shot from the edge of the box from Nijland. In stoppage time Antonia reached Juninho Bacuna, but he misjudged the ball. Nijland scored a minute later for Zwolle but his goal was disallowed. Groningen held on to their 2–0 lead to win the cup. PEC received white bathrobes as runners-up and Groningen red ones as the victors. Groningen captain Kieftenbeld received the KNVB Cup trophy from former Groningen player Erwin Koeman.

Details

width=45
Warner Hahn
Bram van Polen (c)
Bart van Hintum
Ben Rienstra
Mustafa Saymak
Jesper Drost
Jody Lukoki
Tomáš Necid
Substitutes:
Coach:
Ron Jans
width=45
Sergio Padt
Eric Botteghin
Maikel Kieftenbeld (c)
Substitutes:
Coach:
Erwin van de Looi

Post match and aftermath

The 2014–15 KNVB Cup was Groningen's first major honour.[44] They became the third Groningen-based team to win a major honour, after Be Quick won the 1919–20 Dutch League Championship and Velocitas 1897 claimed the 1933–34 KNVB Cup.[45] [46] By winning the cup, Groningen qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage and the 2015 Johan Cruyff Shield. It was Groningen's sixth consecutive victory in the cup, equalling the club record from 2001.[47]

Kieftenbeld was delighted: "A fantastic moment, really great. I have now touched the cup for the first time". He also praised the collective effort from the team. Van de Looi added: "It is so beautiful for the fans: the first major honour in the club's history". According to the Groningen coach they kept confidence: "During half-time we said: we are not playing well, but we will win the cup". Van de Looi was also delighted with the substitutions he made such as bringing on the pacey Antonia. Zwolle coach Jans was disappointed: "Both teams were evenly matched, but we gave away too much space in the second half. After the 1–0 it was Groningen's game". Jans named Groningen the deserved winners.[48] The following day the front page of the Dagblad van het Noorden was titled "We hebben hem!" (English: "We got him!") in large white letters and included an image of Kieftenbeld lifting the cup. For the only time the title of the newspaper was coloured in green, the colours of FC Groningen, instead of the newspaper's usual blue.

The final, broadcast on FOX Sports, was watched on television by almost 1.9 million people, making it the most viewed programme of the Sunday evening in the Netherlands.[49] At least 10,000 Groningen fans watched the game on the Grote Markt in the centre of the city.[50] Three days after the final Groningen were celebrated in Stadspark by around 30,000 fans, preceded by an open-bus parade which took the team from Euroborg through the city centre to Stadspark.[51] A week after the final Groningen and PEC met again in a league match at Euroborg: Zwolle won 1–0 with a goal from Necid halfway through the second half.[52]

Matchwinner Rusnák later tattooed the date of the cup final in Roman numerals on his leg.[53] In 2022, a concrete mural of 40x of Kieftenbeld lifting the KNVB Cup was created under a viaduct near Euroborg.[54]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 3 July 2014 . Loting eerste en tweede ronde KNVB beker . Draw first and second round KNVB Cup . https://web.archive.org/web/20140924045721/https:/www.knvb.nl/nieuws/35482/loting-eerste-en-tweede-ronde-knvb-beker . 24 September 2014 . 29 August 2023 . Royal Dutch Football Association . nl.
  2. Web site: 24 September 2014 . Titelverdediger PEC Zwolle met moeite langs FC Oss in KNVB-beker . Defending champions PEC Zwolle narrowly defeat FC Oss in KNVB Cup . 29 August 2023 . RTV Oost . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901141753/https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/199099/titelverdediger-pec-zwolle-met-moeite-langs-fc-oss-in-knvb-beker.
  3. Web site: 29 October 2014 . PEC Zwolle verslaat HHC Hardenberg en staat in achtste finales KNVB-beker . PEC Zwolle defeat HHC Hardenberg and are in the fourth round of the KNVB Cup . 29 August 2023 . RTV Oost . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901141753/https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/202192/pec-zwolle-verslaat-hhc-hardenberg-en-staat-in-achtste-finales-knvb-beker.
  4. Web site: 16 December 2014 . Bekerblog: Cambuur en PEC naar kwartfinales . Cup blog: Cambuur and PEC to quarter-final . 29 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901141749/https://nos.nl/liveblog/2009310-bekerblog-cambuur-en-pec-naar-kwartfinales.
  5. Web site: Stokkermans . Karel . 9 May 2019 . Netherlands 2014/15 . 29 August 2023 . RSSSF . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901141751/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned2015.html.
  6. Web site: 27 January 2015 . PEC Zwolle naar halve finales KNVB-beker na winst in verlenging bij SC Cambuur . PEC Zwolle to KNVB Cup semi-final after winning in extra time at SC Cambuur . 29 August 2023 . RTV Oost . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901141753/https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/209405/pec-zwolle-naar-halve-finales-knvb-beker-na-winst-in-verlenging-bij-sc-cambuur.
  7. Web site: 27 January 2023 . Ron Jans hoopt op droomfinale tegen oude club FC Groningen . Ron Jans hopes to have a dream final against former club FC Groningen . 29 August 2023 . RTV Oost . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142313/https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/209420/ron-jans-hoopt-op-droomfinale-tegen-oude-club-fc-groningen.
  8. Web site: 7 April 2015 . Necid schiet PEC naar finale KNVB-beker . Necid shoots PEC to final of KNVB Cup . 29 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142306/https://nos.nl/liveblog/2029029-necid-schiet-pec-naar-finale-knvb-beker.
  9. Web site: 7 April 2015 . PEC Zwolle in tweede bekerfinale op rij na strafschoppen tegen FC Twente . PEC Zwolle in second cup final in a row after penalties against FC Twente . 29 August 2023 . RTV Oost . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142306/https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/215083/pec-zwolle-in-tweede-bekerfinale-op-rij-na-strafschoppen-tegen-fc-twente.
  10. Web site: 2 May 2015 . Road to the final: PEC Zwolle . 29 August 2023 . ELF Voetbal . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142309/https://www.elfvoetbal.nl/Binnenland/31974/road-to-the-final-pec-zwolle.
  11. Web site: Baas . Elwin . 24 September 2014 . Liveblog: Barendrecht – FC Groningen 1–4 Gesloten . Liveblog: Barendrecht – FC Groningen 1–4 Closed . 29 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829143750/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/139075/liveblog-barendrecht-fc-groningen-1-4-gesloten.
  12. Mennega, Jan (30 October 2014). "Hattrick Michael de Leeuw in vijf minuten". Dagblad van het Noorden. p. 40.
  13. Web site: Grootste uitslagen . Biggest results . 29 August 2023 . FCGStats.nl . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829143751/https://oud.fcgstats.nl/uitslag.php.
  14. Web site: 31 October 2014 . Herhaling van historisch affiche: Groningen–Volendam . Repeat of historical game: Groningen–Volendam . 29 August 2023 . FC Groningen . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829143753/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/herhaling-van-historisch-affiche-groningen-volendam/.
  15. Web site: 17 December 2014 . FC Groningen bij laatste acht na zege op FC Volendam . FC Groningen in the last eight after victory against FC Volendam . 29 August 2023 . Voetbal International . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829143749/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fc-groningen-bij-laatste-acht-na-zege-op-fc-volendam.
  16. Mennega, Jan (29 January 2015). "Excelsior laatste hindernis tot de finale". Dagblad van het Noorden. p. 34.
  17. Web site: 28 January 2015 . Groningen stap dichter bij de Kuip . Groningen a step closer to De Kuip . 29 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829143751/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/144469/groningen-stap-dichter-bij-de-kuip.
  18. Web site: 8 April 2015 . Euroborg viert finaleplaats Groningen . Euroborg celebrates Groningen's place in the final . 29 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829143749/https://nos.nl/liveblog/2029213-euroborg-viert-finaleplaats-groningen.
  19. Web site: 8 April 2015 . FC Groningen staat in bekerfinale . FC Groningen are in the cup final . 29 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829143751/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/147533/fc-groningen-staat-in-bekerfinale.
  20. Web site: Clubhistorie . Club history . 29 August 2023 . PEC Zwolle . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829210038/https://peczwolle.nl/clubhistorie.
  21. Web site: 1 May 2015 . Primeur óf prolongatie voor provincieclubs? . A first or prolongation for provincial clubs? . 30 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830065646/https://nos.nl/artikel/2033347-primeur-of-prolongatie-voor-provincieclubs.
  22. Kok, Nik (2 August 2014). "Die finale was een hoogtepunt in mijn leven". Dagblad van het Noorden. p. 40.
  23. Web site: 20 April 2014 . Dutch Cup final: Fireworks hold up PEC Zwolle win . 29 August 2023 . BBC Sport . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829210036/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27097182.
  24. Web site: De roemruchte historie van FC Groningen . The illustrious history of FC Groningen . 29 August 2023 . FC Groningen . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829210040/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club-info/over-ons/historie/.
  25. Web site: Darwinkel . Geert Jan . 19 October 2022 . Cupfighter FC Groningen? Afgezien van winst in 2015 en een finaleplaats (1989) houdt het niet over . Cup fighter FC Groningen? Apart from a win in 2015 and a place in the final (1989), it is not great . 29 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829210040/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/967769/cupfighter-fc-groningen-afgezien-van-winst-in-2015-en-een-finaleplaats-1989-houdt-het-niet-over.
  26. Web site: KNVB Cup . 29 August 2023 . Royal Dutch Football Association . 11 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200411212550/https://www.knvb.com/dutch-football/mens-football/knvb-cup.
  27. "Soccer". Anderson Independent-Mail. 27 April 2015. p. 12.
  28. Web site: 3 May 2015 . Bekerfinale Live: PEC kan via play-offs nog Europa in . Cup final live: PEC can reach European football via play-offs . 29 August 2023 . Voetbal International . nl . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829210036/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/bekerfinale-live-pec-kan-via-playoffs-nog-europa-in.
  29. Web site: Joost Broerse . 29 August 2023 . Voetbalzone . nl . 20 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210420163519/https://www.voetbalzone.nl/speler.asp?uid=2478.
  30. Web site: 9 May 2015 . Voorbeschouwing PEC Zwolle – FC Groningen . Preview PEC Zwolle – FC Groningen . 30 August 2023 . PEC Zwolle . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830065654/https://peczwolle.nl/nieuws/voorbeschouwing-fc-groningen-pec-zwolle-3.
  31. Web site: 30 April 2015 . Bekerfinale 2015: Nijland versus Nijland . Cup final 2015: Nijland versus Nijland . 29 August 2023 . Royal Dutch Football Association . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142851/https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/betaald-voetbal/knvb-beker/4035/bekerfinale-2015-nijland-versus-nijland.
  32. Web site: 7 February 2019 . Wouter Gudde volgt Hans Nijland op bij FC Groningen . Wouter Gudde succeeds Hans Nijland at FC Groningen . 5 September 2021 . Algemeen Dagblad . nl . 5 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210905115833/https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/wouter-gudde-volgt-hans-nijland-op-bij-fc-groningen~acb11c78/.
  33. van der Heide, Marco (29 April 2015). "Zwols idealisme vs. Groningse precisiepuzzel". Friesch Dagblad. p. 14.
  34. Web site: 8 April 2015 . PEC Zwolle-trainer Ron Jans krijgt droomfinale tegen FC Groningen . PEC Zwolle coach Ron Jans gets his dream final against FC Groningen . 30 August 2023 . RTV Oost . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830084110/https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/215177/pec-zwolle-trainer-ron-jans-krijgt-droomfinale-tegen-fc-groningen.
  35. Web site: 3 May 2015 . Wedkantoren geven PEC Zwolle nét iets meer kans op beker . Bookmakers give PEC Zwolle just a little more chance of winning the cup . 30 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830065656/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/148603/wedkantoren-geven-pec-zwolle-net-iets-meer-kans-op-beker.
  36. Web site: 2 May 2015 . Alles wat u moet weten over de bekerfinale . Everything you need to know about the cup final . 30 August 2023 . NU.nl . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830065646/https://www.nu.nl/dvn/4039336/alles-u-moet-weten-bekerfinale.html.
  37. Web site: 2 May 2015 . Bekerfinale: Wat gaat het worden? . Cup final: what will it be? . 30 August 2023 . RTV Oost . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830065651/https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/216860/bekerfinale-wat-gaat-het-worden.
  38. Web site: 3 May 2015 . Rotterdam-Zuid kleurt groen-blauw . The south of Rotterdam colours green-blue . 30 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830084110/https://nos.nl/artikel/2033741-rotterdam-zuid-kleurt-groen-blauw.
  39. Web site: 3 May 2015 . 500 bussen voetbalfans naar De Kuip . 500 buses of football fans to De Kuip . 30 August 2023 . RTL Nieuws . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830084111/https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/1202431/500-bussen-voetbalfans-naar-de-kuip.
  40. Pomp, William (2 May 2020). "Van de Looi: We waren echt een team". Dagblad van het Noorden. p. 52.
  41. de Jong, Thijs (4 May 2015). "Van de aftrap tot de bekeroverwinning". Dagblad van het Noorden. p. 32.
  42. Web site: 3 May 2015 . Groningen schrijft geschiedenis en gaat Europa in . Groningen make history and reach Europe . 30 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830102346/https://nos.nl/liveblog/2033751-groningen-schrijft-geschiedenis-en-gaat-europa-in.
  43. Web site: 3 May 2015 . Liveblog bekerfinale PEC Zwolle – FC Groningen: 0–2 (gesloten) #pecgro . Live blog cup final PEC Zwolle – FC Groningen: 0–2 (closed) #pecgro . 30 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830102347/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/148619/liveblog-bekerfinale-pec-zwolle-fc-groningen-0-2-gesloten-pecgro.
  44. Web site: 4 May 2015 . Bekerfinale 2015: De sfeer in beeld . Cup final 2015: The atmosphere in pictures . 5 September 2021 . Royal Dutch Football Association . nl . 5 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210905121159/https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/betaald-voetbal/knvb-beker/3714/bekerfinale-2015-de-sfeer-beeld.
  45. Web site: Kárpáti . Tamás . Stokkermans . Karel . 12 May 2021 . Netherlands – Champions. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607112140/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nedchamp.html . 7 June 2021 . RSSSF . 5 September 2021.
  46. Web site: Stokkermans . Karel . 22 April 2021 . Netherlands Cup Finals . https://web.archive.org/web/20210815152611/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nedcuphist.html . 15 August 2021 . RSSSF . 5 September 2021.
  47. Web site: 7 May 2015 . Cijfers wijzen uit; echte teamprestatie . The numbers prove; real team performance . 30 August 2023 . FC Groningen . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142846/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/cijfers-wijzen-uit-echte-teamprestatie/.
  48. Web site: 3 May 2015 . Kieftenbeld: beker nu voor het eerst aangeraakt . Kieftenbeld: cup now touched for the first time . 30 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142849/https://nos.nl/artikel/2033784-kieftenbeld-beker-nu-voor-het-eerst-aangeraakt.
  49. Web site: 4 May 2015 . FC Groningen op voorpagina alle landelijke kranten . FC Groningen on the front page of all national newspapers . 30 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142844/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/148650/fc-groningen-op-voorpagina-alle-landelijke-kranten.
  50. Web site: 3 May 2015 . Volksfeest op Grote Markt in Groningen . Folk festival on the Grote Markt in Groningen . 30 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901142846/https://nos.nl/artikel/2033782-volksfeest-op-grote-markt-in-groningen.
  51. Web site: 6 May 2015 . Bekerwinnaar FC Groningen gehuldigd in Stadspark . Cup winner FC Groningen celebrated in Stadspark . 30 August 2023 . Nederlandse Omroep Stichting . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901143348/https://nos.nl/artikel/2034285-bekerwinnaar-fc-groningen-gehuldigd-in-stadspark.
  52. Web site: 10 May 2015 . PEC Zwolle wint in Groningen en is zeker van play-offs . PEC Zwolle win in Groningen and qualify for the play-offs . 30 August 2023 . PEC Zwolle . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901143350/https://peczwolle.nl/nieuws/pec-zwolle-wint-in-groningen-en-is-zeker-van-play-offs.
  53. Web site: Sembiring . Laurens . 3 May 2020 . Matchwinner Rusnák: 'Het feestje duurde niet één, maar zeven dagen' . Match winner Rusnák: 'The party lasted for seven days instead of one' . 30 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901143352/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/221876/matchwinner-rusnak-het-feestje-duurde-niet-een-maar-zeven-dagen.
  54. Web site: 1 November 2022 . Bekerwinst FC Groningen op beton vastgelegd: 'Niet verwacht dat er iets met deze foto zou gebeuren' . Cup victory FC Groningen captured on concrete: 'I did not expect anything to happen with this photo' . 30 August 2023 . RTV Noord . nl . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901143904/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/971718/bekerwinst-fc-groningen-op-beton-vastgelegd-niet-verwacht-dat-er-iets-met-deze-foto-zou-gebeuren.

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