FC Groningen lost 2-0 to FC Emmen at the Euroborg on Thursday in the first round of the Eurojackpot KNVB Cup. After the defeat, the players were met by chants of “You should be ashamed, you should be ashamed!” from the stands as they thanked supporters for their backing during the cup tie.
Dagblad van het Noorden reported that Thom van Bergen said he found the reaction of the Groningen fans strange and unpleasant.
Blokzijl on the defeat
FC Groningen captain Thijmen Blokzijl said afterwards in an interview with ESPN: “This is simply dreadful from us. This absolutely must not happen to us. Against Emmen at home. The cup is a great competition for us, so this is a real shame.”
He also said: “I think everyone gave the ball away a few times today and you thought, 'How can that happen?' We were unrecognisable.”
Lukkien's response
RTV Noord reported that Dick Lukkien said he was deeply ashamed after FC Groningen went out of the cup.
He said in frustration to RTV Noord: “I'm deeply ashamed. We should never go out of the cup. At the same time, I also know that these players give everything. Tonight wasn't good enough. But we will respond on Sunday. You needn't worry about that.”
After the defeat, Lukkien added: “We can't undo it. It's as simple as that. And we have to deal with it. And we will.”
Sunday at the Euroborg
FC Groningen host Sparta Rotterdam at the Euroborg on Sunday.
Lukkien said: “Thom is a lad who fights his heart out. When something like that happens, he feels attacked. It's also to do with his age. He still has to learn that the crowd are entitled to express themselves.”
