Go Ahead at Vitesse. Differing fortunes in the Netherlands

Words: Stef Bruggeman

Images: Han Balk

It is often said that away days are the best days.

This was once again evident on Sunday afternoon, or should I say Sunday morning?

Because that is the reality in the Netherlands nowadays.

At the ridiculous time of 12:15 PM, Go Ahead Eagles and Vitesse kicked off.

Sunday travel by public or private transport was, of course, not possible, as over here, we are obligated to travel by buscombi.

So, on Sunday, 16 buses, in three clusters, made the journey from Deventer to Arnhem. Go Ahead took a thousand supporters, a high number at the moment in Dutch football.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Go Ahead buncombe for Vitesse.

In any case, Go Ahead Eagles is experiencing a crazy season, in a positive sense. They handed out one multi-year contract after another, which is unusual in Deventer.

Not only is the club policy a positive one but the on-field performances are also unique. It’s February, 20 games have been played, and Kowet is in a very respectable sixth place with 30 points.

Should they keep this position at the end of the season, it qualifies them for a ticket to the playoffs for European football.

The small working-class club from the cookie city in Europe. Just the thought of it brings tears to the eyes of those in Deventer.

But, as we often say in the Netherlands, the prizes are only awarded in May, so Go Ahead have a handful of games to realise that dream, starting in Arnhem against Vitesse.

©Han Balk. Go Ahead Eagles at Vitesse Arnhem.

Vitesse is also experiencing a crazy time, but in a negative sense. After a poor first half of the season, they lie hopelessly at the bottom of the Eredivisie.

They’ve undergone a coaching change, lost top scorer Million Manhoef (only four goals) to Stoke City, and are entangled in what looks like an internal crisis.

The story of Vitesse is a sad one, especially when you remember their old home at Nieuw Monnikenhuize, which had real character.

Now the GelreDome, Vitesse’s home since 1998, looks more like a theatre, where the performances are often really bad.

Four blue stands, while the club colours are yellow and black. The corners are filled with a kind of grey corrugated iron.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Vitesse Arnhem vs Go Ahead Eagles.

The stadium can accommodate 34,000 people during concerts and 28,000 at football matches, but there were 15,500 in attendance vs Go Ahead.

For the supporters who did take the trouble to support their love, the message was clear.

Black-texted banners held up in the ground read “all or nothing” and “it has to happen now”

Clear language, showing that the fan base is also seriously concerned. Because not only is the stadium colourless, the squad is also below par this season.

Veterans like Marco van Ginkel and Davy Pröpper are stuck with a park team. The defence looks incredibly vulnerable and lacks build-up ability.

The midfield is too static and seems uninterested in forward runs. The attack is also nothing to write home about.

So, there is a sporting crisis in Arnhem, with Vitesse standing seven points from the safe zone.

Off the field, the club’s takeover process is still not complete. Current majority shareholder Valeriy Oyf announced in March 2022 that he had decided to divest his shares in Vitesse.

The Arnhemmers then sought a new investor and found the Common Group, a takeover party that seemed to embrace Vitesse’s ambitions.

Now, over a year later, the deal is still not finalized.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Go Ahead Eagles at Vitesse Arnhem.

A step in the right direction is not taken against the Eagles either. Vitesse players don’t show up and lose 0-2 to Go Ahead, who don’t break sweat.

Even before the final whistle, the theatre is sadly mainly empty. A poor performance has come to an end.

In two weeks, a new game awaits in this atypical football stadium.

A decisive one against FC Volendam, second to last.

The Vitesse that won the Dutch cup in 2017 and beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Conference League in 2021, seem to be heading straight for relegation.

The packed away section doesn’t care. It’s been a decent season for Go Ahead, the away day has been the same.

Hopefully Vitesse will live to see better days, like the people of Deventer are experiencing.

Stef is on X: X: @stefbruggeman1

You can find Han on X and Instagram: @hanbalk

B-Side Songs

IJsselderby

Kowet Europa

Bergen away

Arnhem enduring