In football, the Man of the Match award tells a story about the flow of the game. When a striker wins it, the team likely dominated. When a goalkeeper wins it, it usually means the team was under heavy fire. Page 18 of the September 2013 matchday programme confirms the latter, announcing goalkeeper Marco Bizot as the “Essent Man of the Match” for his performance in the previous home fixture against reigning champions Ajax.
The SMS voting results show Bizot claiming 34% of the fans’ votes, edging out the tireless midfield engine Maikel Kieftenbeld (28%). The photo captures Bizot acknowledging the roaring Euroborg crowd, a well-deserved moment of appreciation. Securing a 1-1 draw against a star-studded Ajax side required a monumental defensive effort, and Bizot was the undisputed anchor of that resistance, pulling off crucial saves to keep the Pride of the North in the game.
With this award, Bizot tied Filip Kostic at the top of the overall “Player of the Year” standings for the young season. For a 22-year-old goalkeeper trying to establish himself as a reliable Eredivisie number one, earning the official recognition of the demanding Groningen fanbase in such a high-profile match was a massive confidence booster.
A Look into the Future
Marco Bizot‘s heroics in the 2013/2014 season earned him a transfer to KRC Genk in Belgium the following summer. However, his true breakthrough came later when he returned to the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar, developing into one of the most consistent and statistically dominant goalkeepers in the country, eventually earning call-ups to the Dutch National Team and securing a move to Ligue 1 with Stade Brestois. Looking at this page, you can see the exact moments where a young, promising shot-stopper began to forge his reputation as a reliable wall against top-tier opposition.