When a team secures a convincing 3-1 victory over a top-tier opponent like Vitesse, the Man of the Match award usually goes to the striker who scored the goals or the playmaker who provided the assists. But the FC Groningen fanbase has always possessed a deep, tactical appreciation for the grittier side of the game. Page 18 of the April 2014 matchday programme proves exactly that.
The “Essent Speler van het Jaar” section announces the SMS voting results from that crucial home victory. The winner, claiming 28% of the fan vote, was not an attacker, but the Brazilian central defender Eric Botteghin. He edged out the hard-working veteran Nick van der Velden (24%), while attackers Tjaronn Chery and Richairo Živković tied for third. The photo captures a smiling Botteghin holding his bouquet, a visual confirmation of his absolute dominance at the back.
The text notes that with this victory, Botteghin had closed the gap in the overall season standings, sitting just one point behind the leader, Filip Kostić. For a defender to be challenging a star winger for the Player of the Season award speaks volumes about Botteghin’s consistency. He was the undisputed anchor of manager Erwin van de Looi’s defense, turning the Euroborg back into a fortress after a chaotic start to the year.
A Look into the Future
Eric Botteghin‘s performances during the 2013/2014 season laid the foundation for his status as an Eredivisie legend. His defensive mastery in Groningen culminated a year later when he led the backline to the 2015 KNVB Cup victory. His incredible consistency eventually earned him a transfer to Feyenoord, where he would go on to win the Eredivisie title and become a beloved figure in Rotterdam as well. Looking back at this 2014 programme, it captures the exact era when the Brazilian rock firmly established himself as one of the best, most reliable defenders in the Netherlands.