Kampong certified for the semifinals of the Euro Hockey League on Wednesday evening beneath the management of Ivar Knötschke. The Hagenaar took the honors towards England’s Surbiton (3-1) on the bench, the place head coach Tim Oudenaller was lacking as a consequence of unhappy non-public circumstances. ‘I’m so relieved that we’re not within the morning pot on Saturday,’ he stated.
‘This one is for Tim,’ Knötschke stated on the finish of the interview, with a deep sigh. His companion’s absence visibly impacts him, after his first sport as head coach in a European competitors. Usually, he’s an assistant at Kampong, the place he has been lively because the summer season. Earlier than that, Knötschke was head coach for a few years with the women of HDM, the membership the place he shall be in command of the lads within the new season.
‘It was a really loopy day for everybody,’ says the coach. ‘It solely turned clear early this morning that Tim couldn’t be there. In fact that’s particularly unhappy for him and it feels uncomfortable for us. And a primary match at a European event isn’t one thing you expertise on daily basis. In that you simply attempt, in your approach, to do one of the best for the group.’
That, in fact, created a sure stress. ‘You don’t need to be the issue why issues don’t work out. And someplace it additionally creates butterflies in your self, it is usually thrilling and new. Immediately there are particular expectations, which you need to stay as much as. And the boys did that very properly.’ With emphasis: ‘As a result of that’s what it’s all about. Concerning the boys.
Knötsche, with Jip Janssen (Left) and David Harte (proper). Photograph: Willem Vernes
Harte as a workers member, veteran Mars on the bench
These guys didn’t trigger an elevated coronary heart fee on the bench, the place David Harte additionally sat as a workers member. The Irish goalie has not but recovered from his ankle harm and was promoted to assistant coach for the day. ‘It’s very bitter for him that the EHL was put via his nostril,’ Knötschke stated. ‘We aimed to have him play, however as a consequence of a setback in his restoration it didn’t work out. It’s a must to hand in a choice of eighteen males, together with two goalkeepers, for the entire week. Altering per sport isn’t attainable. David was not match for the quarterfinals. Possibly he may play later within the event, however we didn’t need to run the danger of not having a second goalkeeper on the bench right this moment.’
Subsequently, 41-year-old Diederik Mars is Kampong’s reserve goalie in the course of the EHL, behind South African Estiaan Kriek. Mars usually goalkeeps in Veterans A of Kampong, the place he additionally used to play within the massive league. ‘He skilled for the primary time on Tuesday,’ Knötschke stated. ‘That was additionally the primary time somebody took a shoot-out on him, haha. We’re very completely happy to borrow him for some time.
So Harte took a seat subsequent to Knötschke. ‘That’s what David got here up with himself,’ his coach says. ‘When he heard that Tim was lacking, he instantly requested what he may do. I feel it was actually nice of him. David is engaged on his final weeks at Kampong, everybody is aware of that. He was very disillusioned that he couldn’t play the EHL. It actually wasn’t straightforward. Then it’s particular that you simply match into this position.’
Estiaan Kriek, Harte’s Stand-in Below the Kampong Batten. Photograph: Willem Verees
One other starring position for Kriek
Harte’s assist was grasped with each arms. ‘If there have been shoot-outs, he would have stood with the staff on the 23-meter line. He can try this significantly better than I can. What was additionally good: now nobody on the staff felt he needed to tackle additional accountability. David did that. For the staff.
Harte’s substitute Kriek proved his price once more on Thursday. The South African already made a fantastic impression within the massive league, the place he has been beneath the crossbar for over a month now. ‘I assumed he was our greatest man right this moment. Particularly within the fourth quarter. In that quarter he actually saved us going. I didn’t suppose we have been adequate in that part. We have been beneath an excessive amount of stress. However: additionally cool for Kriek to point out himself on this stage. Even when he wasn’t taking part in he was consistently all over the place, nothing is just too loopy for him. So he’s to be congratulated.
Whereas his gamers have been already consuming pasta in Den Bosch’s clubhouse, Knötschke went again to the stands. ‘Let’s see who our opponent shall be. Analyze and ensure there isn’t any additional work. Tomorrow we are going to focus on the whole lot afterwards at Kampong after which we are going to go right into a resort close to right here.’
With amusing: ‘I’m so relieved that we’re not within the morning pot on Saturday. That was actually the very last thing I wished instead coach. I’m particularly completely happy to go away it properly behind.’
