Danijel Pranjić moves to Bayern München

Per a variety of reports Heerenveen will be without Danijel Pranjić next season as he has moved to Bayern München for a fee rumoured to be €10m. Since arriving from Dinamo Zagreb in 2005 the Croatia international has been a constant goal scoring threat for de Friezen and a will be tough loss in Trond Sollied's lineup. Speaking to German media giant Bild, he expressed his excitement of the move to Bayern who additionally signed his former Dinamo teammate Ivica Olić:

"I am already really looking forward to playing together with Ivica Olić in the future."

SC Heerenveen wins KNVB Beker defeating Twente

Led by Trond Sollied in his debut season in-charge, de Friezen have claimed the KNVB Beker as they defeated Twente in hard fought battle that came down the penalties. The victory caps a remarkable season for the well traveled Norwegian manager, who left Belgian side Gent after Gertjan Verbeek moved on to Feyenoord and despite for many calls for his job prior to the holiday season, emerged with his side celebrating a historic win.

Looking more like an emergency ward that a pitch, Twente lost both Marko Arnautović and Peter Wisgerhof within the first quarter hour. Four minutes before the half hour a free kick was awarded far right of the box and with Christian Grindheim's resulting effort came through the box that Macedonia Goran Popov volleyed in from close-range. The tightly played match continued without further incident until nine minutes after the restart when a long diagonal ball was poorly played by Heerenveen keeper Hans Vonk and Kristian Bak Nielsen with Blaise Nkufo out-racing them to the byline. The Swiss international quickly gathered the ball and supplied the ball to Eljero Elia to his left, who then moved into box beating Michel Breuer before sending over Vonk to the back of the net. Both sides had ample effort to go ahead in regulation time but somehow the match went to added-time. With eight minutes remaining, Bonaventure Kalou sent a simple effort from the edge of the area that took a hefty deflection off Douglas and past Sander Boschker into the net. With Heerenveen closing in the victory a long cross from the left was headed in by Youssouf Hersi from six metres out to square the match again. Seconds ticked down with Twente pouring on the pressure with a late effort pushed off the line sending the match to penalties. After Theo Janssen, Viktor Elm, Blaise Kufo and Michael Dingsdag canceled out each others successful effort, Youssouf Hersi sent his drive over the bar giving Heerenveen the advantage. Michel Breuer and Bonaventure Kalou efforts were equally matched by Twente, setting the stage for Gerald Sibon.

Thirty five years of age, with the hopes of dreams riding on his effort, he did not disappoint as Heerenveen can now claim the KNVB Beker.

AZ end year with 3-1 thumping of Heerenveen

Heerenveen's season came to end with a 3-1 loss to Eredivisie champion AZ, leaving them fifth in the table.

Louis van Gaal's side looked to finish their historic season off in style and jumped to a three goal lead before de Friezen added a late consolation goal. The champions took the lead thirteen minutes in as Mounir El Hamdaoui accepted a through ball down the right channel from David Mendes da Silva before sending the ball in from twelve metres. Just before the break Belgium international Moussa Dembélé took advantage of poor defending as he went undisturbed from his end to pounding the ball in from just outside the area. It was 3-0 two minutes before the hour after AZ exposed Heerenveen's defending holiday and after Demy de Zeeuw's attempt was denied, Dembélé sent the close range rebound in. With three minutes left Patrik Ingelsten disturbed the party Alkmaar as he sent Bonaventure Kalou's pass in from ten metres.

ADO Den Haag play Heerenveen to draw

De Friezen's came back from a two-goal deficit to play ADO Den Haag to a 2-2 draw. With the point Trond Sollied's side head to the final match-day of the Eredivisie season against newly crowned champion AZ on Sunday.

Visiting Den Haag took the lead nine minutes before the break as Richard Knopper's corner was sent in Csaba Horváth. Only two minutes later a poor mix-up on a long ball led to Hans Vonk colliding with a defender as they both when to clear the ball and Lex Immers giving Den Haag the two goal lead. After the break Heerenveen came roaring back and just past the hour when Paulo Henrique was brought down in the area, Danijel Pranjić stepped-up to the spot. However the former Dinamo Zagreb could not convert and things looked bleak for the home side. With eleven minutes left twenty year-old Donovan Deekman brought the ball back from the right bye-line before passing to the far left of the box with Paulo Henrique sending the ball in. With three minutes remaining Croatian international Danijel Pranjić sent a perfect cross that Kristian Bak Nielsen headed-in to bring the match even. Heerenveen poured forward and despite coming close to the winner the match ended without additional scoring.

De Friezen draw to Twente

De Friezen came within minutes of an important win over Twente but with a last minute strike the match ended with a 1-1 score. The draw had massive implications on Trond Sollied's side as they fell out of the Europa League spot to fifth but equally have a another twist should the result cause Twente to fall out of a Champions League berth.

As a preview to next months KNVB final the match had the all the tone of a title bout with scoring opportunities limited with resolute defending. After a scoreless half Heerenveen looked like it found the winner goal as former Dinamo Zagreb-man Danijel Pranjić's corner was sent in by Paulo Henrique. However thoughts of three-points disappeared as with time winding down, Twente's Theo Janssen sent in a free-kick from twenty-five metres. What makes the result most intriguing is that the losing finalist for the domestic cup competition (the KNVB Beker in this situation) will qualify for the Europa League if the winners qualify for the Champions League but with Twente not gaining full points they have opened up a chance for Ajax.

Heading into the final two weeks Heerenveen will need help if they are to overtake PSV but first they must defeat ADO Den Haag on Sunday

Heerenveen move to KNVB Beker final

Trond Sollied's SC Heerenveen head to the finals of the KNVB Beker on the strength of a 2-0 victory over FC Volendam at KRAS-stadion. De Friezen have featured in the finals twice, last in the in 1997 against Roda JC but have yet to capture the prize. With the victory Heerenveen will face Steve McClaren's Twente, who defeated NAC Breda 3-1, in the final on 17 May.

The opening goal came ten minutes in as Volendam, Het Andere Oranje, were being swarmed and couldn't clear the ball out of their own end. After getting on the end of a loose ball Christian Grindheim, with at least five of Volendam in-front of him near the box, he drove forward before sending the ball to Viktor Elm who was inexplicably wide open before sending in from the edge of the box. Opportunities were sparse and Heerenveen were fortunate not to have a penalty called just before the break as Jacobus Tuyp went down in the area with contact from Michal Švec. Finally with six minutes left Danijel Pranjić accepted the ball from the far right and worked across the top of the box before curling the ball just inside the left post to bring it to a 2-0 conclusion.

Heerenveen drops important points

De Friezen missed a opportunity to climb within three points of Ajax as they lost 2-1 to FC Utrecht. The impact of the loss drops Heerenveen into the Europa League playoff spot.

For the match Trond Sollied was hampered with losses of Danijel Pranjić, Viktor Elm and both Patrik Ingelsten and Roy Beerens were kept out of the starting eleven as they were not completely fit. Through the rear-view mirror with Utrecht unable to score in the previous eight matches, it was likely considered a "safe" move given the KNVB Beker match this week but in the end it cost dearly.

Paulo Henrique gave Heerenveen the lead three minutes in from Gerald Sibon's provision before Michael Silberbauer beat Johannes Vonk only four minutes later with a strike from twenty-three metres. With the match level de Friezen were clearly dominating the run of play, most notable for Gerald Sibon' outstanding series of play-making opportunities but finishing was gut-wrenching. Finally with a minute left the spot was pointed to as Darryl Janmaat was adjudged for bringing down Loïc Loval in the area. Gregoor van Dijk converted giving Utrecht the lead and despite a late surge Heerenveen lost 2-1.

Don't forget Heerenveen faces Volendam in the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker Wednesday evening.

De Friezen win tight match against Volendam

De Friezen continued their European with a 1-0 victory over FC Volendam, who they will face in the KNVB Beker on 23 April. With four matches remaining in the Eredivisie season Trond Sollied's side are fourth in the table and hold a three point lead on PSV for the final Europa League spot.

After Danijel Pranjić's early free-kick was saved by Volendam goalkeeper Jeroen Verhoeven, the visitors were able to keep Heerenveen advances to a minimum. Abe Lenstra Stadion wasn't exactly supportive early and drew the anger of the Croatian international with whistles and jeers. Those jeers were silenced eight minutes after the break as Goran Popov lead a charge down the left flank before sending the ball to Pranjić who surging into the box before laying the ball up perfectly for Viktor Elm to send in from ten metres. Veteran 'keeper Hans Vonk stepped in for Kenny Steppe and at thirty-nine years of age, he looked like he could play everyday as he denied a series of Het Andere Oranje efforts by Melvin Platje and Yannick de Wit as the match ended in favour of de Friezen 1-0. The one downside of the match was with five minutes remaining Danijel Pranjić was shown his second yellow-card for a very light infraction and will miss next weeks match against Utrecht.

Friese stumble against Heracles Almelo

With only five matches remaining in the Eredivisie year, Trond Sollied's SC Heerenveen played to a difficult 1-1 draw against Heracles Almelo. For de Friese the draw jeopardizes their spot in the Europa League as their lead on PSV falls to five points.

The only change to Trond Sollied's starting eleven was the inclusion of Patrik Ingelsten who has impressed recently. It was only sixteen minutes in when Croatian international Danijel Pranjić teaming up with Kristian Bak Nielsen and the Dane making it 1-0. The attack continued Viktor Elm coming close but Heerenveen could not add to their lead. Six minutes before the break Almelo goalkeeper Martin Pieckenhagen received a yellow for contact on Roy Beerens in what most thought was a red but the bigger impact was that the young goalscorer didn't return for the second half and needed to be replaced by Arnar Smárason. The second half Danijel Pranjić came close to doubling the lead but still defending was limiting the hosts chances. With a victory in sight, a questionable foul call lead to a free-kick and Mark Jan Fledderus leveling goal with nine minutes remaining. Try as they may, Heerenveen could not find the winner as the match ended 1-1.

Photo Credit: SC Heerenveen

De Friezen stumble losing 2-0 to De Graafschap

After an impressive run of six unbeaten matches de Friezen streak came to an end with as 2-0 loss to De Graafschap in Doetinchem. Trond Sollied's side had its chance but unfortunately squandered each of them. Only thirteen minutes into the match Michal Švec sent Roy Beerens free but De Graafschap goalkeeper Erik Heijblok denied his effort. Additional chances by Danijel Pranjić and Viktor Elm were denied by Heijblok as Heerenveen could not find a way through. On the half hour the hosts took the lead with a counter attack leading to the eighteen year-old Luuk de Jong providing the ball it Israeli international Ben Sahar to send home. After the break de Friezen had chances to level with Patrik Ingelsten coming close and Roy Beerens being denied by Heijblok again with twenty minutes remaining. Five minutes later Peter Jungschläger made no mistake from just over ten metres out off a Joep van den Ouweland inspired counter attack. Searching for a way back in Trond Sollied brought in Darryl Janmaat and Arnór Smárason but the goal was coming and Heerenveen lost 2-0.

Photo Source Sportclub Heerenveen

De Friezen win fourth straight

De Friezen maintained pressure on the top of the table with an 5-1 victory over Sparta. While the score line suggests the Rotterdam side was overwhelmed, that would be misleading as all but one of the goals came in the final twenty minutes.

Danijel Pranjić gave Heerenveen the lead five minutes before the half hour as converted from the spot after Ruud Knol was adjudged to holding Viktor Elm's shirt in the area. After giving up the goal, the match went from bad to worse for the visitors as they were down a man just past the half hour when Kim Jaggy was excused with his second yellow. After withstanding constant pressure Sparta was down by two as Michel Breuer cross was closed-out by Patrik Ingelsten with seventeen minutes remaining. Any chance of getting back in the match was gone as two minutes later Ruud Knol was sent off with his second yellow of the day for bringing down Patrik Ingelsten in the area. With the spot pointed to Roy Beerens converted and their was little doubt ]]with the outcome of the match. Edouard Duplan brought a goal back for Sparta with four minutes remaining but de Friezen padded their states late with Michal Svec headed-in Danijel Pranjić cross with a minute remaining. In a final point of the match Bonaventure Kalou opportunistically took advantage of a defending error to make it 5-1.

The victory provides Trond Sollied's side their fourth successive win and with late encounters against Twente and AZ, the chance to win a Champions League spot is still very much alive.

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

De Friezen to KNVB Beker semi's

Heerenveen advance to the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker with a 3-1 victory over N.E.C. Nijmegen at Abe Lenstra Stadion. Lasse Schøne gave the visitors the lead eight minutes before the break but Paulo Henrique stormed back to draw the match within a minute following a nice link-up of play between Roy Beerens and Viktor Elm. After a tightly played second half Patrik Ingelsten put de Frienzen on top for good with sixteen minutes remaining and in quick fire fashion Danijel Pranjić set up Viktor Elm to make 3-1 a minute later.
Photo Credit: SC Heerenveen

De Friezen defeat PSV 3-2

De Friezen trip to Eindhoven ended with a 3-2 victory over defending champions PSV with a last minute penalty strike by Danijel Pranjić. Trond Sollied's side took the lead fifteen minutes after the opening whistle when Paulo Henrique controlled Viktor Elm pass and quickly sent the ball in. However in a five minute span near the half hour mark Heerenveen were caught off-guard and Balázs Dzsudzsák and Timmy Simons quickly gave PSV the 2-1 lead. The match settled down till just after the break when Friezen found the equalizer at the fifty-first minute as Paulo Henrique capitalized on a defending error. PSV was shaken and appeared were pushed on their heels with Arnór Smárason and Roy Beerens' attacking vision. With the match looking like it was heading for a draw a lightening fast Heerenveen counter-attack resulted in Jason Culina being red-carded and the spot pointed-to for his foul on Danijel Pranjić in the area. Calm and collected Philips Stadion was quieted as the former Dinamo Zagreb man sent the ball into the net for the 3-2 victory.

De Friezen power to another win

Heerenveen returned to the winning column with a 3-1 romp over Willem II at Abe Lenstra Stadion, bringing them even in points with Ajax and PSV. Trond Sollied completely out-matched the troubled side and the only question-mark from the match was the late goal for the visitors and a number of scoring chances that were not closed out properly.

De Friezen took the lead thirteen minutes after the start when Danijel Pranjić and Roy Beerens linked up on a corner, setting Paulo Henrique for a point blank nod in. Willem II was absolutely no threat following the goal and it was only some poor final touches and quality goalkeeping by Willem II 'keeper Maikel Aerts that kept Heerenveen off the score sheet for the next thirty minutes. However with four minutes left in the half Swedish international Viktor Elm well-placed cross was headed-in by Kristian Bak Nielsen. After the re-start the home side was looking for more goals but both Roy Beerens and the Viktor Elm could not fool Willem II's keeper. However with ten minutes remaining Roy Beerens found the mark after Kristian Bak Nielsen headed the ball to Viktor Elm, who then supplied the ball to the goal-scorer to bring the match to a 3-0 score. With seven minutes remaining and the match not in question Mohamed Messoudi ruined Brian Vandenbussche's otherwise perfect day and the match ended 3-1.

The turnaround of de Friezen since the break has been nothing short of stunning. The attacking style that forgot defending before the holidays is a memory now and in its place is an effective, well disciplined play showing great maturity. Next Friday's match against PSV will go a long way in deciding European competition.

De Friezen find a point against NEC

De Friezen escaped Nijmegen with a 1-1 draw against NEC but the result is costly as they miss a chance to draw level with Ajax and are now fifth in the Eredivisie table.

Trond Sollied had to be impressed as his side took the lead three minutes after the start. Attacking through the right flank, Christian Grindheim link to Roy Beerens who then crossed to Viktor Elm for a quick header into the net. Following the goal NEC's attacking input of Rachid Bouaouzan and Dennis Rommedahl were incapable of advancing and Goran Popov's free kick came close to doubling the margin at the sixteenth minute. Six minutes before the break the home side drew level as a penalty was call for goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche for bringing down Tim Janssen. Youssef El Akchaoui converted from the spot and the match went to the break at 1-1.

Mario Been's side came out more aggressive after the break but a quick counter by Danijel Pranjić and Roy Beerens nearly restored Heerenveen's lead when the former Dinamo Zagreb man cross fell to Viktor Elm but his drive from twelve metres was saved. For the balance of the match most efforts were speculative in nature and were easily dealt with by both keepers as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Heerenveen fall in Arnhem

Missing a perfect opportunity to move up the table with Ajax playing to a draw against Heracles Almelo, Heerenveen fall in Arnhem 1-0. With a number of absences from Trond Sollied's normal lineup de Friezen lacked the punch and didn't get going in the attack till thirty minutes in and even then, it was very limited. They should have had the lead with just over ten minutes before the break but Arnór Smárason's attempt slammed off the post. After the break attacking chances were nothing to speak of that the match looked to heading to a draw before Nicky Hofs's long range effort with six minutes remaining gave the home side a 1-0 victory.

De Friezen face Vitesse today

De Friezen continue to climb the table and after the heroic effort defeating Ajax on the weekend, Trond Sollied head south to face Vitesse in Arnhem. A packed Gelredôme will be looking for their club to repeat their weekend performance in which their 2-0 defeat of Willem II lifted them out of the drop zone. Injuries are added up for Heerenveen through and they will be without Viktor Elm, Mika Väyrynen, Kenny Steppe, Geert-Arend Roorda and Gerald Sibon is doubtful. In their place Arnór Smárason, Bonaventure Kalou and Paulo Henrique will step with confidence and as is the case so-often Croatia international Danijel Pranjić will lead Heerenveen towards maximum points. Only three points behind faltering Ajax and Twente, the chance for a Champions League spot is in front and a victory is needed to maintain pressure on both of those clubs.

Danijel Pranjić leads Heerenveen over Ajax

The incredible turnaround of Heerenveen continued as they defeated Ajax 1-0 at the ArenA. Ajax manager Marco van Basten frustration with his striking combination since Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's departure to Real Madrid continues as they barely threatened Brian Vandenbussche and were oddly well under control. As suspected Viktor Elm was rested due to a slight injury but unfortunately his replacement Mika Väyrynen was injured early and replaced by Arnar Smárason eleven minutes in. After a scoreless first half in which Trond Sollied was very patient in that attack, de Friese slowly became more forward but still never lost focus of their defensive vision. Two minutes into the half, with Roy Beerens heading in alone, Thomas Vermaelen was red-carded for a professional foul as he brought him down. Heerenveen took the lead three minutes before the hour when Danijel Pranjić, formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, scored with a perfect free-kick from outside of twenty-five meters. Ajax's attempts were under control for the rest of the match and Trond Sollied's new found defensive fortress lodged a 1-0 victory.

Heerenveen continues streak with 2-0 victory over Roda JC

Following victories over Feyenoord this week in Eredivisie action and in the KNVB Cup, Heerenveen continued on its winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Roda JC. However the victory was far from easy as the visiting side from Kerkrade put forth a strong effort.

Trond Sollied's side nearly brought Abe Lenstra Stadion to its feet early as Danijel Pranjić and Arnór Smárason came close to linking up for the first score in the first minute. However following the early inspiration the match settled down and just when it appeared to be going to the break without a score, Eric Addo, who just came over to Roda JC from PSV, gave up the ball to Danijel Pranjić at the fortieth minute. The Croatian international set the wheel in motion with Christian Grindheim eventually providing Roy Beerens the chance to close out the first goal of the match.

After the restart the visitors continued their impressive form as they hunted for the equalizer however at the fifty-third minute Edwin Linssen brought down Roy Beerens in the area and the spot was pointed to. Veteran Danijel Pranjić calmly sent the ball into the netting to give Heerenveen the two goal margin. For the balance fo the match as much as Roda JC tried to break Brian Vandenbussche's goal-line the new found Friesland defending could not be breached.