Volendam Crushes Groningen 4–0 in International Club Friendly

Dutch Eerste Divisie side Volendam produced a dominant display to dismantle Groningen 4–0 in an international club friendly on July 24, 2026. The match, played at a neutral venue in the Netherlands, served as pre-season preparation for both teams, but Volendam treated it with ruthless professionalism.

From the first whistle, Volendam looked sharper and more cohesive. Their high press unsettled Groningen's defense, leading to an early goal in the 8th minute when Jesse van der Heijden latched onto a loose ball and fired home. The visitors doubled their lead before the break through a well-taken free kick from Tom van de Velde.

The second half was more of the same. Volendam continued to dominate possession and created numerous chances. Groningen, meanwhile, struggled to string passes together and rarely threatened the opposition goal. Volendam added a third from a counter-attack, with Lars de Wit finishing coolly. The scoring was completed in the 78th minute when a defensive mix-up allowed Kevin Bakker to tap into an empty net.

Key Stats and Observations

• Dominance: Volendam had 64% possession and 12 shots on target, compared to Groningen's 2.
• Defensive solidity: Groningen failed to register a single shot on target in the entire second half.
• Pre-season form: Volendam manager praised the team's intensity, noting it as a promising sign ahead of the new season.

For Groningen, this was a wake-up call. Their coach acknowledged that the team lacked rhythm and sharpness. The 4–0 scoreline may not be a true reflection of Groningen's potential, but it highlighted clear areas for improvement.