HC Tilburg does not see the post-competition as playoffs, but as established measures: ‘We want to treat it positively’ | regional sport

Tilburg has only two points in the second half of the season and only one point this calendar year: 2-2 at Hurley. Too little by Tilburg’s standards, Capt. Felix Golink admits. The club have known since the end of March that they have been sentenced to matches in order to keep themselves – although they have turned the play-offs at Oude Warande into an “extra stay”, provided by former coach Roger Van. gent. “We want to treat it positively,” the captain confirms.

The playoffs are still far away, during Pentecost. First, the squatters are waiting with SCHC, the number 11 of the main division who, like HC Tilburg, has eight points. The winner of this breaker is likely to be the 10th, unless a miracle happens in the last round; Stichtsche must make up for the lower goal difference compared to HC Tilburg (-3) against Little Switzerland and if SCHC wins, HC Tilburg has to play at HC Rotterdam.

What is the significance of that tenth place really? “On paper, it’s not very important to be honest,” Gulink answers. , these matches during the playoffs are – as cliched as they may sound – real matches in themselves, with a lot of tension, stress and pressure. They are close to each other in the upgrade category. Whatever opponent you face, duels will be difficult.”

If HC Tilburg is tenth, hockey players will meet number three from the promotion category; In eleventh place, they meet No. 2 in the best of three series. Schaerweijde currently leads the standings, Voordaan is second and hdm third, with five matches left to play. “I don’t have a preference,” Gulink said.

Although the final ranking doesn’t matter much, in their own words, there is enough at stake for HC Tilburg. “We can benefit from some success. “It’s good for our confidence,” says Golink, who has won only twice this season with HC Tilburg. “This is also a good rehearsal for us, comparable to qualifying, because SCHC is in the same boat as we are.”

Anyone who is still thinking about going back to a rainy October Sunday afternoon (Tilburg won 2-3) doesn’t remember a beautiful field game. Golink expects the same trajectory against a “strong opponent”, although he thinks HC Tilburg is better. “The penalty corner and our field game will make the difference,” said the 29-year-old captain.

In the lead up to the random hand placement, the technical staff at HC Tilburg came up with an alternative activity on Tuesday. The selection went to a military offensive course where they were trained for two and a half hours by, among others, assistant coach’s brother Bas van Zandert, as part of team building.

There, hockey players had to lift heavy beams and pass an obstacle course. “We all broke down there,” Gulink says, after which a smile emerges. It wasn’t fun at the time, but in the end it was a lovely afternoon. It also brings you two together as a team.”

Whether the team-building activity actually helped crack with SCHC will be known tomorrow around 4.15pm.