The first home game of a new season is always filled with nervous anticipation. In his “De Warming Up” column for the August 17, 2014 match against Heracles Almelo, FC Groningen manager Erwin van de Looi addressed the Euroborg crowd with a palpable sense of pride, setting the psychological tone for what would become a historic campaign.
Van de Looi reflected on the team’s opening match of the Eredivisie season away at Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer. It was a baptism of fire. The team found themselves 2-0 down at half-time, looking completely disjointed. “At the end of the first half, the body language of some players was not good,” Van de Looi admitted candidly. However, what happened in the dressing room and subsequently on the pitch defined the squad’s character. They mounted a spectacular comeback, winning the match 3-2.
“I am naturally very satisfied with the victory and also the resilience we showed,” the manager wrote. He emphasized that the team explicitly discussed their desire to win during the half-time break, and he praised their unwavering belief until the final whistle. As they prepared to face Heracles for their home opener, Van de Looi promised the fans that the team was eager to show that same fighting spirit on their own turf.
A Look into the Future
Looking back from 2026, that chaotic 3-2 victory in Deventer was the perfect microcosm of the 2014/2015 season. The resilience (veerkracht) that Van de Looi praised in this column became the defining characteristic of his squad. It was this exact ability to absorb pressure, suffer setbacks, and fight back that allowed them to navigate difficult tactical transitions later in the year and ultimately grind their way to the KNVB Cup trophy. The mental foundation of the cup-winning team was laid bare in this very first matchday programme of the season.