A yr in the past, he celebrated the nationwide championship as a spectator. From the sidelines because of a persistent knee damage. This season the world appears to be like very totally different for Terrance Pieters. The highest match striker lives with Kampong in direction of the finals of the playoffs. ‘Beautiful how on social media you’re bombarded to loss of life with lovely photos.’
He nonetheless sees himself standing like this. A yr in the past on the decisive remaining between Kampong and Rotterdam at De Klapperboom. Pieters had intentionally chosen a special spot. Not by the dugout like so many injured gamers, however excessive up within the stands. The place the view was finest. ‘I had a direct line to the workers. Stood there with an earpiece in, to suppose and assist tactically. Walked down often to move on some data. In my manner, I used to be concerned. Throughout that interval, I did assist with opponents’ analyses very often.’
Issues ended nicely for Kampong that day. The Utrechters beat Rotterdam over two video games and hailed their ninth nationwide title. Pieters celebrated with them. In his Kampong shirt, however carrying common denims, he saluted his first championship trophy. ‘I used to be fairly far alongside in my restoration on the time. However the playoffs got here too quickly. I didn’t should put on my brace anymore. Bear in mind how I jumped over the fence. I competed for lots of the season. So yeah, it actually felt like my championship, too. Though after all I didn’t play a second within the playoffs.’
Photograph: Bart Scheduleman
It was all the results of a torn interior ligament of his knee final March. The start of a bath of distress. He might draw a line within the Euro Hockey League, which was held proper after. So even the playoffs got here too quickly. The most important ache, after all, was lacking the Olympics. Earlier than the Video games, Pieters was slot in time, however his tumultuous run-up clearly didn’t work in his favor within the remaining choice.
The optimist who ended up within the pit
Anybody who is aware of the striker a bit of is aware of that Pieters is an open and optimistic persona. In good spirits, with the glass greater than half full. There may be all the time room for fun or a chat with him. However that cheerful man ended up within the pit. Not being there in Paris was consuming away at him.
‘I had utterly misplaced the enjoyable. I wished to regain that this season,’ Pieters acknowledged. ‘That was an important aim for me this season. And I succeeded. Partly due to the house and understanding I get at Kampong, from my group. It’s good when individuals perceive why you’re not feeling your finest. And that one thing like that’s okay. Through the season I seen once more why I need this. To like this life, to go for discipline hockey full and with all my devotion. I don’t essentially get my happiness from successful or briefly peaking. That will sound loopy. However I discover what comes earlier than that rather more fascinating. Enhancing or studying one thing.
Whereas philosophizing, he comes up with an instance. ‘I learn at one level that Kampong had topper syndrome. In that section we certainly received few video games in opposition to direct opponents. I can’t inform now – so near the finals – how we handled that. However we did. Then it’s cool that after such a dip, which additionally lasted some time on the EHL, you play two of these great semi-finals in opposition to Bloemendaal. That highway, that growth. That makes me pleased.
There for the primary time all yr
He had one other aim, additionally associated to final season’s ache. ‘I wished to lastly play all 22 video games within the common season this yr. Attributable to every kind of accidents, I had by no means managed that within the 12 years I’ve been taking part in within the seniors. That also felt like a blemish. It’s nice to have had a yr with none bodily obstacles. As a result of my rhythm was not interrupted, I additionally carried out extra constantly this yr. That additionally does one thing to your temper.
After a quick silence. ‘So truly I’m principally very pleased now.’
Photograph: Rob Römer
The-Scheel-Tik-Objective In opposition to Bloemendaal
That pleasure splashed off Sunday from probably the most lovely Kampong aim in opposition to Bloemendaal, which was hardly ever so de-skeel-tapped as within the 3-1 within the second sport. Pieters was an important hyperlink in Boet Phijffer’s aim. He appeared for house towards Duco Telgenkamp, obtained a rebound after which served Phijffer with one delicate one-touch move. ‘There was a lot in that. The aim was already lovely. So was the second: that made us positive we’d undergo. And it was additionally lovely for Boet. He’s after all saying goodbye after this yr, which made the aim much more particular. On social media you had been nearly drowned in photos. I find it irresistible.
In order that smile has returned this season. ‘I really feel good and am match. These weeks had been particular final yr, too. However whenever you take part your self, after all it’s even nicer. I used to be strolling with Lars Balk throughout warm-up on Saturday and we appeared round collectively. These additional banners you see. The total stands. The large blue shirt all the time hanging in entrance of the clubhouse. Due to final yr’s ache, I’m much more conscious of it. Can get pleasure from it much more. Am additional pleased to be right here.
To make Pieters’ success story actually a accomplished fairy story, yet one more factor must occur, after all. Grow to be champion. And this time on the sphere.’
