Go Ahead Eagles: Cup destiny

Words: Stef Bruggeman

Images: Han Balk

The smoke has cleared and the streets have been swept. The road along the IJssel is passable again, and serenity has returned to De Brink square.

But how different things were on Wednesday night. Deventer flooded the streets to honour its heroes. A celebration of the people that even the Canadian liberators 80 years ago could never have dreamed of.

Go Ahead Eagles are cup winners — and all of the Netherlands is going to know it.

That title — cup winners — is one we Eagles supporters wear with pride. For the coming months, we’ll walk with our chests out. Because what happened this Easter Monday in De Kuip was nothing short of magical.

A once-in-a-lifetime memory, one that many of us will forever call the greatest day of our lives.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Go Ahead Eagles last training session pre-cup final. De Adelaarshorst.

That incredible day started on an industrial estate. Around 200 buses lined up, give or take. Just that departure point alone made the away day unforgettable.

So many buses, so many people, so much joy.

At Go Ahead Eagles, success doesn’t come often. Reaching the final was already a celebration in itself. But once we made it there, we knew we had to give everything we had to get that cup. And Deventer understood that better than anyone.

The first wave of buses headed off towards Rotterdam. I’ve rarely felt like a hero, but the first 20 minutes on that bus ride came damn close. Hundreds of people were waving us off. Flags, scarves, banners, fireworks.

Football supporters suddenly had supporters of our own. The high point? A viaduct near Apeldoorn — absolutely packed. I won’t lie: it gave me goosebumps. Slowly, the realization set in: we were part of something special.

Ook onderweg geen gebrek aan support!! #kowet #roodgeledroom pic.twitter.com/RZcHqobdPk
— 𝐊 𝐎 𝐖 𝐄 𝐓 (@kowet_deventer) April 21, 2025

As we moved further, the highway was overtaken by our red-and-yellow army. It wasn’t just buses — cars too, with scarves waving out the windows, even flares blazing on the motorway.

Kowet was on the way to De Kuip, and the whole country knew it.

After more than two hours, we arrived at the battleground. Fair play — some folks had clearly never worn a red and yellow shirt before. But hey, that’s what success brings, right? Who cares — it felt like one big red-and-yellow family.

The fan square, styled after our beloved Adelaarshorst, almost felt like home. The club had done its best to recreate Deventer in Rotterdam. With local singers and a mini skyline, they nailed it. The party was in full swing and the match hadn’t even started yet.

When nearly 20,000 nervous Kowet supporters had found their seats, it was time: showtime.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Go Ahead Eagles fan zone. De Kuip. Rotterdam.

Even before the whistle, Active DieHards Deventer had already put the club and city on the map. A massive tifo rolled down behind the goal — a masterpiece. These lads deserve every bit of praise and respect.

Then the nail-biting began. AZ had the upper hand in the first half, but thank god for Jari de Busser between our sticks. The Belgian keeper refused to let Alkmaar score, and we reached halftime at 0-0.

Almost straight after the break — disaster. Foul in the box. Penalty. But like I said: we’ve got Jari de Busser. He saves Troy Parrot’s spot kick. Joy and relief explode throughout our end. But heartbreak follows — the penalty must be retaken. And this time, it’s in. 1-0 AZ.

They grow stronger. But again: Jari de Busser. With hands, feet, even his head, he keeps everything out. A goalkeeping masterclass. And to think — the man started the season as second choice. Manager Paul Simonis deserves credit too. Not every coach has the guts to swap a keeper mid-season.

The clock ticks down and my fingernails vanish. Around the 85th minute, I catch myself feeling down, hopeless. We’ve had chances, but they won’t go in. The cup seems destined for someone else.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Swedish flag in Go Ahead Eagles End. De Kuip.

Then Peer Koopmeiners steps in — he over-emphasises a soft challenge. In the process, he handles the ball in the box. Referee Makkelie isn’t impressed with the theatrics and points to the spot. Penalty Go Ahead Eagles. Madness.

Minute 99. Our lifeline. But someone still has to score it. Enter our captain — always ready, always ice-cold. And now, on the biggest moment in club history, Mats Deijl delivers. A flawless penalty. 1-1.

The red-and-yellow side of De Kuip explodes. We’re still alive! Mats Deijl was already a proud representative of this club. Now, he’s a legend.

In extra time, it’s Jari de Busser again who keeps us going. I don’t know if Thibaut Courtois was watching the Dutch Cup Final, but he might want to start worrying about his spot with the Red Devils.

No goals in extra time. Penalties it is torture. If anyone ever asks what pure tension looks like, just replay this match. Not good for the heart.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Go Ahead Eagles end. De Kuip.

First two penalties: in. Then comes AZ’s third. Guess who? Jari de Busser again. Save. Milan Smit steps up for us. 120 minutes in the legs? No problem. Keeper has no chance. We lead.

Then AZ’s next spot-kick taker steps up— saved again. Jari de Busserrrrr. Now, one more and it’s ours. Am I ready to cheer? Hell no. Hands in front of my eyes, peeking through a tiny gap. Deep breath. Julius Dirksen behind the ball. Haven’t seen much of him — but surely he can hit a penalty, right?

He runs up. Time slows. The ball flies past the keeper — goal. And then: tears.

Pure joy. Release. Grown men and women hugging each other, crying. Our Eagles. Our Deventer. Cup winners. Unreal. Unbelievable. Historic.

It was always the big clubs lifting the cup. Now, it’s our very own Mats Deijl. That image gives you chills. A small celebration follows in De Kuip. But then it’s time to go home.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Go Ahead Eagles KNVB Beker winners 2025.

And yes — a small celebration. Because compared to what happened Wednesday, that was just the pre-party. Our heroes rode through the city in an open-top bus. Only then did it really hit — what this win meant for the club and the city.

20,000 people lined the streets, ecstatic. It was madness. It was beautiful. South American vibes in Deventer. Sometimes you’ve just got to take it all in and smile. What this club gave us this past week? Eternal.

In nine months, don’t be surprised if a few babies named Jari, Mats, Victor or Gerrit are born. Rightfully so. These heroes will never be forgotten.

The cup is ours. And this cup is for everyone. For Kees, Herald, and Richard. For our red-and-yellow family.

To all my fellow Eagles: enjoy it.

I know I am
I’m sure I am

I’m Eagles till I die