When a team reaches a playoff final, they hope to rely on the intimidating atmosphere of their home stadium to carry them over the line. However, page 6 of the May 18, 2014 matchday programme revealed a terrifying historical truth for FC Groningen: their opponents, AZ Alkmaar, absolutely loved playing in the north.
The “De Historie” section, under the headline “Eerder play-offduel gewonnen door FC” (Earlier play-off duel won by FC), tries to find a positive angle by referencing a 2006 victory. But the “Head-to-Head” table printed below tells the real story. Out of 28 previous official meetings on Groningen soil, the Pride of the North had won 11 times, while AZ had won 12 times. It is incredibly rare for a visiting Eredivisie team to hold a positive historical win record at the Oosterpark and the Euroborg.
The list of the last twenty meetings highlights the struggle. While Groningen had secured a 2-1 victory earlier in the 2013/2014 season, previous years were littered with painful home defeats, including a 0-3 loss in 2011 and a 0-2 loss in 2008. For manager Erwin van de Looi, this historical ledger was a stark reminder that AZ was not a team intimidated by the green-and-white army. To secure European football, Groningen wouldn’t just have to beat the team in front of them; they would have to overcome decades of historical vulnerability.
A Look into the Future
History, as it turns out, is meant to be rewritten. FC Groningen completely ignored the historical odds that afternoon, dismantling AZ Alkmaar with a resounding 3-0 victory to secure their ticket to the UEFA Europa League qualifiers. The win not only booked their European tour but also helped balance the historical head-to-head record at the Euroborg. This page serves as a reminder that while statistics provide fascinating context, the momentum of a team riding an eight-match winning streak will always overpower the ghosts of the past.