The Northern Times
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Culture
  • People
  • What’s happening
  • Economy
  • Opportunities
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Culture
  • People
  • What’s happening
  • Economy
  • Opportunities
No Result
View All Result
The Northern Times
No Result
View All Result

FC Groningen’s season ends in disappointment (again): has Robben played his last for the club?

May 20, 2021
in Uncategorized
Home Uncategorized

With FC Groningen crashing out of the Europa League playoffs to Utrecht, many are questioning if the 38 year old former Champions League winner can continue, including Robben himself

Despite having very little money, no fans in the stadium, and a squad with a value far lower than many others in the Eredivisie, FC Groningen again surpassed expectations to make it to the Europa League playoffs by finishing seventh. Unfortunately, last night, ‘the pride of the north’ lost 1-0 to FC Utrecht, ending their European dreams for another season. As reported by the GIC.

One highlight of the season has been the return of Arjen Robben to his boyhood club, and seeing the 38-year old legend appearing in green and white has been a huge boost to the fans. However, Robben has suffered from consistent injuries, and though he managed to play the full 90 minutes against FC Utrecht, there has been a growing realisation that he may have played his last game. “I have already said that after the season I will take stock and look to the future. Then we will then make a decision somewhere” says Robben.

With Robben spending much of the middle portion of the season out injured, and only making his return to full fitness recently, quitting now would be a bit of an anticlimax. “That also makes it very difficult. You are growing and you are getting fitter. I would have preferred to continue playing football for two or three months now”, says Robben.

“If you have the guarantee that this fitness will continue, it is nice to continue for a while. But I also have to see whether that is realistic”, Robben added.

Should Robben decide to stop, he is at least happy with this ending. “On the one hand, there is a kind of pride. I’ve come a long way. This was perhaps my most difficult rehabilitation ever, because I hadn’t played football for a year.”

Image: Robben in 2019, playing for Bayern Munich. By WIkimedia user Sven Mandel. License here.

Tags: Arjen RobbenEredivisieeuropa leagueFC Groningenfc utrechtfootball

Related Posts

The Northern football clubs’ monthly round-up: August
Sports

The Northern football clubs’ monthly round-up: August

August 28, 2023
FC Groningen: A Fallen Giant Lifted by Its Supporters
Sports

FC Groningen: A Fallen Giant Lifted by Its Supporters

August 16, 2023
Dutch women’s football team roars into the World Cup
Sports

Dutch women’s football team roars into the World Cup

July 19, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular News

  • Father and six children from Ruinerwold lived in basement for years waiting for the end of time

    Father and six children from Ruinerwold lived in basement for years waiting for the end of time

    2872 shares
    Share 1148 Tweet 718
  • Scottish company working on ferry service between Edinburgh and Eemshaven

    1827 shares
    Share 731 Tweet 457
  • German students score rap hit with “Bonnetje Mee”

    1730 shares
    Share 692 Tweet 433
  • Two COVID-19 Coronavirus cases confirmed in Province of Groningen

    1491 shares
    Share 596 Tweet 373
  • Olympic champion Epke Zonderland now a doctor

    1374 shares
    Share 550 Tweet 344
The Northerntimes is powered by: TopDutch

No Result
View All Result
  • Arts
  • Contributors
  • Covid-19 News
  • Covid Chronicles
  • authority
  • personal
  • photo reportage
  • professional
  • Crime
  • Culture
  • Drenthe
  • Dutch history
  • Econ 050
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Eurosonic Noorderslag
  • Friesland
  • Groningen
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Make it in the North
  • National
  • News
  • Nightlife
  • Opinion
  • Opportunities
  • Education
  • People
  • Expats
  • International students
  • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Sports
  • submitted articles
  • Top Dutch Business
  • Travel
  • Typical Dutch
  • Ukraine
  • Uncategorized
  • What’s happening
  • World

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Submit a article

Send in an article to be published on The Northern Times.

Send a news tip

Got a story idea or want us to be aware of anything?