The user face for this is green, and I have not done enough newsletters for clubs who wear green. That’s funny considering in my family that’s a very popular color. Many of the houses, boat houses, et all have been green. A quick look online, and I hit my sweet spot, early 80s, and a giant killing. This time, its’ the UEFA Cup match up between FC Groningen and Atletico Madrid on 14 September 1983.
Groningen’s manage before the season was Theo Verlangen, assumed the job in 1977. Three years later he brought the team up to the first division, and three years after qualified for European football by beating FC Twente 6-1 on the last match day.
Han Berger took over as manager in summer of 1983 handed the pressure of Europe quiet well. Madrid, and for the most of La Liga had a very tough image at the time. Groningen was expected to go in, and lose, which in the face of the challenge, wasn’t that far of a stretch. Added to the fact, that Estadio Vincente Calderon was five times the size of Groningen’s stadium.
Playing in front of 40,000 spectators, and changing in a dressing room that was bigger than most buildings, life was going to be very different for the boys from Holland. It was a pretty good team for Groningen: Harry Schellekens in goal, Walter Waalderboos and Karel Hiddink at the back, Ron Jans on the left, Adri van Tiggelen, Erwin Koeman, Theo Keukens, and Rob McDonald among others.
The 80s where really the last decade where hard tackling was allowed, and refs weren’t as quick to send players off. If it was the case during this match, many of the Atletico players would have been sent to the showers.
Rob McDonald played the hard players well, by scoring the first goal 1-0 off his left leg. This just made the Atletico players increase the pressure on the goal, and just before half Roberto Marina headed the ball in for 1-1 tie. Unfortunately, threem inutes later Waalter Waalderbos scored an own goal, for the 2-1 loss. It was a bad way to head home, but there was another match to play.
Two weeks later a packed Oosterpark, was ready for the match. Groningen proved like the last match to be up to the chance for the win. The attack with Ron Jans on the left, Bud Brocken on the right, and Rob McDonald as the striker. Fifteen minutes in, Jans made it 1-0. They just needed to hold on to the lead for the next 75 minutes. Then at the 78th minute, Groningen started pouring on the goals for the win. First Erwin Koeman, and then five minutes later Jan van Dijk put it up 3-0.