Twente on the threshold of ninth national title: ‘But more professional accommodation is needed’

NOS Football•today, 07:00

The women of FC Twente were able to win the national title a week and a half ago, but failed to win at FC Utrecht (2-2). Tonight (6.45 pm) they have a new chance against Fortuna Sittard to become champions of the Netherlands for the ninth time in club history.

“We did not do well in Utrecht, at least not good enough,” says technical manager René Roord the day before the midweek match round in the Premier League. “But we switched quickly after that, because we still have two chances.”

The championship fever is certainly still present at the Enschede club. According to former professional Roord, it would be “bizarre” if Twente were to lose the title. “In my opinion that is impossible, but of course you still have to do it…”

Roord: “Against Fortuna is certainly not an easy match, perhaps on paper it is the toughest of the last three. But I don’t think we are going to give it away yet.”

Twente has built up a large lead this Premier League season. After twenty games, the club is five points ahead of number two Ajax. But according to Roord, Twente had a “difficult intermediate phase” this season. He is referring to the elimination in the preliminary round of the Champions League against BK Häcken.

“We immediately recovered from that blow. But of course you want to reach the Champions League and you look at Ajax’s campaign with appropriate envy.”

The Amsterdam club reached the quarter-finals of the largest European club tournament this season. “That is only good for Dutch women’s football. And I also thought it was nice that Häcken continued to do well and reached the quarter-finals. That shows that it was not a weak team.”

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Roord has the ambition to enter Europe with Twente, but to realize this more professional facilities are needed. “We have been professionalized in all areas, except for one area: the accommodation. That takes time.”

The women have been wandering from amateur complex to amateur complex for years. And that no longer fits with the development they have in mind, says Roord, father of international Jill who started at Twente and now plays for the Dutch team and Manchester City.

“Women’s football is becoming increasingly professional, you can no longer compare that with five or eight years ago. If you want something and have ambitions, then you have to go along with it. This also includes the facilities of a top sports complex, with a gym, communal food : everything included.”

The plan is for the women of Twente to have a brand new training complex in Enschede by mid-2025. And that is certainly very important for preserving the Twente identity, according to Roord.

“In our vision, the word ‘noaberschap’ comes back. That is a Twente word for being there for your loved ones, your neighbors. It is really felt that way here. But it only lasts if you also have normal accommodation. otherwise it will be difficult.”