A bench at Arnhem

It’s not the most beautiful nor the oldest grandstand in the Netherlands, but the Geert Egging tribune at Sportpark ‘t Cranevelt in Arnhem has been on Han Balk’s bucket list for quite some time.

Choosing between Feyenoord vs Ajax on TV or VDZ Arnhem against VIOD Doetinchem was pretty easy, even at a tropical one degree above freezing.

Only two existing grandstands in Holland are older, but these grounds are currently only used for athletics.

The 1923 grandstand is, in fact, older than its owner, the eight level club VDZ Arnhem.

The grandstand was previously owned by VV Eendracht, once a rival of Vitesse Arnhem. They moved in 1965 to a new ground in the neighborhood, currently playing at Sunday’s 10th level.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

©Han Balk. VDZ Arnhem vs VIOD Doetinchem.

You can find Han on Twitter and Instagram: @hanbalk