Sunday, March 8, 2009

Viktor Elm scores late to give de Friezen win over Groningen

The Noordelijke derby ended in dramatic fashion as Viktor Elm scored in added time to give de Friezen a 2-1 victory over Groningen at Abe Lenstra Stadion. The victory now has Trond Sollied's side only three points behind Twente in the final Champions League spot. With a very favourable schedule looming, the April 25th match between the two could ultimately decide their fate.

Arnór Smárason was ushered into the match after only fourteen minutes as Danijel Pranjić came off limped. However the visitors took a tough turn eleven minutes later as Martijn Meerdink was excused with his second yellow card and Groningen was down a man. Unable to break down the stingy defense it wasn't till just before the hour mark that de Friezen found the mark when Norwegian international Christian Grindheim drilled the ball in from the edge of the area. Nine minutes later Fredrik Stenman provision was sent in by Danny Holla and the match was squared up. However with fifteen minutes remaining García made a crucial mistake as he was shown a yellow ball after kicking the ball away from the referee. Playing down by two men, the visitors were on the verge of leaving with a draw until a added-time goal by Viktor Elm gave de Friezen a 2-1 victory as he sent in Bonaventure Kalou's redirection of a Michael Dingsdag cross.


Photo Source: SC Heerenveen