The Korfbal League 2 kicked off with a spectacular first round of matches in which several teams showed their potential, and surprising results were achieved. The season promises to be a spectacle, with matches that were both intense and entertaining. Here is a summary of the most important moments.
Fix - East Arnhem: Tension until the final whistle
Fiks experienced a match full of ups and downs against Oost-Arnhem in their re-debut in the Korfbal League 2, which ended in a draw (21-21). The home team started strongly and took a 5-0 lead within ten minutes. Offensively, players such as Youp Coli and Mart Hortensius, who scored his 500th goal for Fiks, set the tone. Fiks also defended firmly, which made it difficult for Oost-Arnhem to get into their game.
After a halftime score of 12-7, Oost-Arnhem started a comeback, showing their resilience and closing the gap to 12-10. Although Fiks extended the lead to 15-10, Oost-Arnhem kept coming back, especially in the final minutes of the game. With six minutes left on the clock, Fiks was ahead 21-17, but a strong final offensive by Oost-Arnhem led to the equalizer. Coach Erwin van der Putten emphasized that the team should have taken advantage of their lead, but also that it was a learning experience for the future .
TOP/IAA fresh - GG/RMcD House Emma: Last Seconds Determine the Result
The match between TOP/IAA fresh and GG/RMcD Huis Emma offered the audience plenty of entertainment and ended in a draw (19-19) by an ultimate goal in the last seconds. The teams were initially evenly matched, which resulted in a 13-13 score at half-time. TOP took the initiative in the opening phase, with Jill Heijink as the star with five goals. But Groen Geel stayed on track and came level after a buzzer beater by Kiko Weenink.
After the break, scoring was hampered by strong defense from both teams. TOP seemed to secure the victory thanks to a goal by Nick Pikaar with one and a half minutes left to play (19-18). However, Groen Geel did not give up and Thomas Schagen scored an equalizer with a long shot six seconds before the end. Romy Knuppe of Groen Geel indicated that this 'stolen point' was a boost for the team and emphasized how nice it was to return home with a point after all .
Dalto/Klaverblad Insurance - AWDTV/IJskouddebeste: Dalto Dominates in Season Opener
Dalto started the season with a resounding victory over AWDTV, which ended in a 29-19 win. The team from Driebergen initially played a balanced first half, with AWDTV still somewhat following until a 13-10 halftime score. In the second half, Dalto increased their lead by consistently scoring from different positions. Coach Jesper Oele praised his team's all-round play and the contribution of each player to the score.
The match was full of atmosphere, partly due to the presence of the fanatic D-side and mascot The Bull, which had a positive impact on the energy of the team. After the break, AWDTV missed several important chances, including a penalty, which was characteristic of their struggle in the second half. Dalto took advantage of this and played an almost flawless second half. The return of Karin van den Brink after a long injury period was an emotional moment, and her experience proved to be invaluable to the team.
DeetosSnel - TOP (A): Strong Start for PhD Candidate
Promoted team DeetosSnel started their adventure in the Korfbal League 2 with an important victory over TOP from Zeeland. DeetosSnel quickly took a 5-1 lead, partly thanks to strong performances by English international Shane Buckland, who played a dominant role in the attack. TOP came back, but DeetosSnel kept the initiative and went into halftime with a 10-6 lead.
In the second half, scoring was more difficult for both teams, but DeetosSnel maintained their lead through solid defense and efficient changes in attack. Coach Leon Simons emphasized the importance of the first points for confidence in the rest of the season. The victory offers DeetosSnel a solid foundation and the hope to maintain itself in the competition this season.
Mid-Fryslân - DSC: Sovereign Win for the Frisians
Mid-Fryslân opened their season with a 27-22 victory over DSC in a game that was mainly characterized by strong attacks in the first half and a solid lead of 17-13 at halftime. Mid-Fryslân missed some key players, but was well distributed offensively: all basic players scored in the first half, which emphasizes the depth of the team.
DSC came back strongly in the second half and brought the difference back to two points. But just when they seemed to be catching up, Mid-Fryslân's Jakko de Nekker scored twice in a row, which gave the home team some breathing space. With this sovereign victory, Mid-Fryslân took a strong first step in the competition and showed that they will be a formidable opponent this season.
Standings after round 1:
| W | P | DS | |
| 1. Dalto | 1 | 2 | +10 |
| 2. Mid-Friesland | 1 | 2 | +5 |
| 3. DeetosSnel | 1 | 2 | +4 |
| 4. Fix | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 5. East Arnhem | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 6. Green-Yellow | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 7. TOP (S) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 8. TOP (A) | 1 | 0 | -4 |
| 9. DSC | 1 | 0 | -5 |
| 10. AWDTV | 1 | 0 | -10 |
