After the anticlimax on their very own area in opposition to HDM (0-3), the tears of promotion class Leonidas weren’t too dangerous. In fact the gamers already felt the ache of defeat. Reaching the play-offs alone was a feat, contemplating the place they got here from after the sudden demise of teammate Rosella Lindeman final season.
Smiling, Leonidas gamers Nina Rondberg and Daphne Groothuis sat subsequent to one another on the penalty bench for the ultimate minutes of the playoffs after each had been despatched off the sphere with yellow. Regardless of falling behind 4-0 (counting the results of the outward recreation), the environment was jolly. The 2 gamers turned to order referee Jannick Breunis, who was standing subsequent to them on the match desk, and requested him if they may borrow his yellow card. They needed their image taken with it. He declined the request, nevertheless it stated every little thing about how lighthearted the defeat was taken.
Gamers didn’t lie defeated on the ground. Sticks weren’t thrown furiously into the dugout. The Rotterdammers missed three penalties, however nobody felt that promotion had slipped by way of their fingers. The distinction in high quality with HDM was just too huge. What prevailed was pleasure within the season Leonidas had put collectively.
Departing coach Don Tissen confirmed no emotion after the loss. His conclusion was crystal clear: his workforce had been weighed, however discovered too gentle. The truth that some gamers performed with a damaged toe or hamstring or knee issues didn’t make the job any simpler. I’m happy with the women. Very proud. We performed good hockey, however HDM deservedly received. It was quite simple: they needed to, we may. That was the distinction. We gave every little thing. We go away the sphere with our heads held excessive.
The departing coach Don Tissen. Picture: Rob Römer
‘I’m certain she watched us right this moment with a smile’
Huge was the distinction this 12 months from final season, when Leonidas went by way of a tricky and tumultuous interval. Even earlier than the season started, newly appointed coach Moses Lodarmasse left. Tissen took over. He was barely two months in when tragedy struck: participant Rosella Lindeman was killed in a visitors accident. Discipline hockey was out of the blue of minor significance. It’s due to this fact all of the extra spectacular that Leonidas made the large leap from the underside spots to the play-offs inside one 12 months.
Tissen: ‘We’ve had a superb season. Particularly while you see the place we got here from and what we went by way of. In fact we nonetheless have a tough time with it typically. The feelings are typically coursing by way of our our bodies. We nonetheless consider her usually. I’m certain she checked out us right this moment with a smile.
Leonidas did not knock HDM out of the large league. Picture: Rob Römer
The video games in opposition to HDM had been a bonus
For 2 seasons Leonidas dangled on the backside of the league desk. However this season the Rotterdammers kicked off surprisingly effectively by successful the Promotion League Cup, the preparation event in August. The league additionally acquired off to a flying begin, with 4 wins in a row. However within the months that adopted, the workforce was nonetheless looking for itself once more.
‘We agreed at the start of the season: to begin with we’re going to have enjoyable. However through the winter break we stated to one another: we don’t must be afraid of anybody. We are able to do much more, so let’s attempt to attain the playoffs,’” Tissen summarized his method. It paid off. Beginning in April, Leonidas mounted an outstanding closing dash, good for seventeen factors from seven video games. Reaching the playoffs was celebrated as a prize. The video games in opposition to HDM had been a bonus.
Striker Mikki Roolaart, the membership’s high scorer with twelve objectives, is now making the transfer to premier league HGC. Eveline Korink stops enjoying area hockey. So do Minke Boeijenga and Emma Groenewold. The center of the workforce is crumbling. Who is aware of how lengthy it is going to be once more earlier than Leonidas makes the playoffs. All of the extra motive to mirror on this season’s efficiency, says Tissen: “We loved it.
