Football fans have a long memory, especially when it comes to players who give everything for the shirt despite personal setbacks. In the October 2013 matchday programme, we documented the heartbreak of Slovenian winger Andraz Kirm, whose dreams of playing in the World Cup were shattered during the international break. Two months later, page 18 of the December 22 edition proves that the Euroborg faithful recognized his unwavering professionalism.
The “Essent Speler van het Jaar” section announces the SMS voting results from the previous home match against ADO Den Haag. In a tightly contested poll, Andraz Kirm emerged victorious with 19% of the vote, narrowly beating out the defensive stalwart Johan Kappelhof (17%) and the midfield engine Maikel Kieftenbeld (5%). The photo shows Kirm holding his bouquet of flowers, a quiet smile on his face.
Kirm was never the flashiest player on the pitch; he didn’t possess the explosive flair of his teammate Filip Kostic. But his relentless running, tactical discipline, and ability to bounce back from the disappointment of missing the World Cup resonated deeply with the northern, blue-collar crowd. Voting for him was the fans’ way of saying: we see the hard work.
A Look into the Future
Andraz Kirm‘s time at FC Groningen concluded at the end of that 2013/2014 season. While he didn’t leave behind a legacy of spectacular highlight reels, he left with the absolute respect of the supporters. He continued his career across Europe, playing in Cyprus and returning to his native Slovenia, where he remained a respected veteran professional. This Man of the Match award remains a printed testament to his grit—a player who suffered a massive sporting heartbreak but never stopped running for his club.