Didillon-Hödl saves penalty and scores the winner to send Willem II back to the Eredivisie, Stegeman in tears for his late father
Thomas Didillon-Hödl is the hero of Willem II's promotion to the Eredivisie. The French goalkeeper saved a penalty from FC Volendam before stepping up himself to convert the decisive spot-kick. Manager John Stegeman then appeared in front of the cameras in tears, visibly moved by thoughts of his late father.
Didillon-Hödl: goalkeeper, penalty-taker and promotion-winner
Few football stories write themselves as spectacularly as this one. Thomas Didillon-Hödl played a role on both sides of the shootout in the decisive promotion match to the Eredivisie: the Willem II goalkeeper first saved a penalty from FC Volendam, then stepped up himself to take the all-important final kick. He didn't miss. Willem II are back in Dutch top-flight football. The keeper also had a deeply personal source of motivation. "I took one in training yesterday and it felt good. I thought of my daughter who was born a week ago — and then football is just a game," he said immediately after the final whistle.
A nerve-shredding battle against FC Volendam
Promotion was anything but straightforward. Ninety minutes produced no winner, leading to an exhausting period of extra time. Captain Justin Hoogma was candid afterwards: "Extra time was pure improvisation. Everyone was completely shattered." Didillon-Hödl praised his teammates for the character they had shown throughout the entire season. "You can see this team has a fighter's heart. We have worked so hard. This is a promotion built on discipline, consistency, effort and hard work every single day," said the goalkeeper.
Stegeman in tears: 'This one is for him'
The most moving scene came after the match, when manager John Stegeman appeared visibly emotional in front of the cameras. His tears were not only of joy. Stegeman lost his father last year, and that loss was impossible to shake off in the aftermath of promotion. "Playing 46 matches, dealing with a long injury list and then getting over the line like this — in one word: incredible. I am truly proud of them," he began. But his father was never far from his thoughts. "He was my biggest fan. My son went to the cemetery this morning and sent me a photo. 'Grandad is with us.' That's why I'm emotional. I miss him terribly, and this one is for him."
Related
Source: Via Omroep Brabant (GNews)
Comments
- Be the first to comment.