Superboeren: Farmers up for the cup

Images: Han Balk.

De Graafschap are known as the Superboeren or “Superfarmers" and hail from the East of the Netherlands, an area where there are no shortage of tractors.

They narrowly missed promotion to the Dutch Eredivisie in 2020 and 2021 but this season is quite different for De Graafschap, currently struggling in 14th in the Eerste Divisie (second level).

The Superboeren not only lost their last match vs Telstar but the game was also halted in the 90th minute due to De Graafschap supporters throwing beer and a lighter at the opposition goalie.

An empty Spinnekop terrace behind the goal might be the result after previous incidents.

Yet, the Spinnekop was busy for the visit of third tier side De Treffers from Groesbeek on Tuesday night with the prize of a Quarter-Final spot in the KNVB-beker.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. De Graafschap.

De Treffers already knocked out Eredivisie teams RKC Waalwijk and Cambuur Leeuwarden in the previous rounds and the 800 away supporters were eager for another shot at some big boys.

De Graafschap, are not a well-know cup-side and had only managed the Quarter-Finals twice in their history, the last time in 2009.

The compact 12.000 capacity Stadion De Vijverberg, home to De Graafschap, is a proper ground and the murals created by their BT'03 ultra group give it even more appeal.

An up for it De Treffers side dominated the first half but couldn’t convert various chances.

Maybe De Graafschap has superior fitness as they saw out the game well, winning three-nil in the end. No-one knows if the Superboeren get paid bonuses in fertiliser.

You can find Han on Twitter and Instagram: @hanbalk

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