Dutch Cup fairytale VVSB ends in Utrecht

The unique Dutch Cup adventure of amateur club VVSB came to an end with a 3-0 defeat at FC Utrecht in the semifinal on Wednesday.

VVSB from Noordwijkerhout, which plays on the highest amateur level, the third level in the Netherlands, had caused a shock in the quarterfinals at first division side FC Den Bosch by coming back from 2-0 to win 3-2 in the final minutes. For the first time since 1975, when IJsselmeervogels from Spakenburg reached the last four, an amateur side had never reached the semifinals of the Dutch Cup.

The VVSB players, who all have a normal job, became instant heroes. For once they even were the center of attention in Dutch sports media. Around 2,100 VVSB fans from Noordwijkerhout, a town of 16,000 inhabitants in the province of South Holland, came to Utrecht in 35 buses to support their heroes.

The VVSB squad had a preparation for the semifinals like they were the Dutch national team. They were offered a stay for one night in a fancy hotel in Noordwijk, at the coast, the day before the match.

Against FC Utrecht, currently the number five of the Dutch Eredivisie, VVSB managed to continue the fairytale for a while and keep a clean-sheet for a surprisingly long time. Although the home-team had most possession and most chances VVSB defended well and the half-time score was 0-0.

In the 73rd minute FC Utrecht finally found the net and broke the VVSB wall. A shot by Mark van der Maarel was deflected by Peet van der Slot and went behind VVSB goalkeeper Ruben Valk. Two minutes later Sebastien Haller secured the home victory and Patrick Joosten made it 3-0 in injury time.

FC Utrecht reached the Dutch Cup final for the sixth time in history. In 1982 and 2002 Utrecht lost the final and in 1985, 2003 and 2004 they captured the Cup. Feyenoord and AZ will battle for the other place in the final on Thursday in Rotterdam. Endit