LIVE | Promotional fever is increasing in King Willem II Stadium, players start warming-up | William II

It is not completely ‘all or nothing’ for Willem II against FC Groningen. A victory in the top match against the direct competitor means that promotion to the Premier League is a fact, if points are lost there will in any case be a second chance for the Tricolores. But, as trainer Peter Maes emphasizes: “We are going to use everything we can.”

Willem II trained twice behind closed doors in the run-up to tonight’s match. Maes told us yesterday why he did that and how he looks at the match against FC Groningen.

He’s sure. “We are going to win,” says Willem II supporter Antoine Hijstek in Udenhout. “Nervous,” is the answer from Jan Heij in the Berkdijksestraat in Tilburg when asked about his state of mind in the run-up to the match on Friday evening.

Antoine does not dare to make a prediction. ,,It is a final match, the players know that. You have to win that, that’s it. We have it in our own hands. Playing at home with the audience as the twelfth man makes a big difference for the players. We are going to encourage them.”

What other supporters think? And how they decorated their house and garden? You can read and see that here.

The guests from Groningen also start with the same line-up as last week, when they won 3-0 against Cambuur-Leeuwarden. This also applies to goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus, who received a red card in the 51st minute. The print was shelved, so it can simply be placed under the bar.

Jurjus; Bacuna, Rente, Blokzijl, Peersman; Schreuders, Hove, Duarte, Valente; Postema and Van Bergen.

Bank: Baron, Meijster, Maatta, Pelupessy, Bakker, Beukers, Bouland, De Jonge, Emeran, Mariani, Mendes and Slor.

Smith; Heerkens, Behounek, Schouten, Nizet; Doodeman, Bosch, Verreth, Meerveld; Hilterman and Oosting.

Bench: Van den Berg, Schut, Sigurgeirsson, De Waal, Svensson, Joosten, Bokila, Vermeulen, De Leeuw, Lachkar and Razak.

William II, as is known, rose match point this evening. For the second away match in a row, the Tricolores finally scored a point against Jong FC Utrecht (1-1) and MVV (1-1) respectively. Lifesaver? Almere City mercenary Jeredy Hilterman twice.

Was it promotional nerves or was it one of those competitions that you experience once in a while in the Kitchen Champion Division? Hilterman was certainly disappointed with the game that the Tilburg team showed. ,,It was really lousy. You can come up with all kinds of plans in advance, but if you play like that, there is no point.”

Although there were also bright spots for the match against MVV. You can read what these are here.

He hopes for a victory for Willem II, but thinks that Groningen will win and he can live with a draw. Frank Metsemakers (35) is having a torn week. He is the only Tilburg citizen with an FC Groningen season ticket. Although he also has one from Willem II. “I am extremely nervous about that pot.”

His love for the club blossoms when Metsemakers, born near Venlo, goes to study in Tilburg. He has a permanent place in section H with a permanent group of nine friends. “I have lived in Brabant for seventeen years and am devoted to Willem II.”

But how does he end up at FC Groningen? You can read here how an American football player and a heartbreaking story ensured that Frank also has green-white blood running through his body.

Do they already sell tompouces or other pastries with a Willem II logo on them? No, is the answer from many Tilburg bakers. “Everything is orange with us now.” But there is one where the pastry chefs are ready for Saturday morning.

If Willem II manages to win at home against Groningen on Friday evening and thus secures promotion, the bakers will get to work early on Saturday morning to make petit fours with a Willem II logo. “A delicious pastry,” says Vesseur.

The dessert is only available at one branch of Meesterbakker Van Iersel. You can read here which one it is and from what time you can join the queue.

At the beginning of this week it was all set: Merijn Goris (36) will become the new general manager of Willem II as of July 1. He follows Martin van Geel (63) with the Tilburgers. Goris has signed a contract for an indefinite period.

As a little boy, Goris already had a Willem II season ticket, subsequently held several positions in the business world and traveled all over the world, but the Goirle resident continued to visit Tricolores matches as a fanatic supporter. Now he is really returning to his roots. Read the first introduction to Merijn Goris here.

King’s night? Tonight is a no-brainer for many Tilburg bars. Like Papa Jim Sportsbar, with owners Arjan Swinkels (former Willem II captain) and Jaap van Ham. “Since Willem II has been doing so well, we have been full for all home and away games,” says Van Ham.

Papa Jim Sportsbar is not the only pub in Tilburg where you can watch Willem II – FC Groningen live. Read here where else in the city you can go for possible promotion to the Eredivisie.

Will the party start tonight for Willem II? Will the King’s Club return to the Premier League on the day before King’s Day? The city sympathizes en masse during the top match against FC Groningen. We are curious about how you follow the competition. Share your story!

Does nothing come out of your hands all day at the office because of the tension? Are you and your buddies in town early in the afternoon to toast the happy ending?

We are looking for your stories. Everything is allowed, as long as it has a red, white and blue tint. Email your story, if possible with photos, to [email protected].

Willem II usually has no complaints about support from the stands, but FC Groningen home must become something unique, the Supporters Collective also believes. And so the first call came to everyone in the stadium on Friday: wear something red, white and blue.

Willem II coach Peter Maes already made a similar call after the match with MVV. “If staff, club and supporters continue to fully support the boys. We need everyone, really everyone,” said the Belgian coach. Read the whole story here.

And welcome to the live blog of the Willem II – FC Groningen match. Although the match doesn’t start until 8 p.m., the Brabants Dagblad will be there early this afternoon. That has everything to do with the fact that Willem II can enforce promotion to the Premier League tonight.

The tension has been palpable in Tilburg for days and is now reaching boiling point. Will Willem II manage to return to the highest level after two years? Don’t miss anything in our live blog: from atmospheric impressions, stories and previews, to the match itself and perhaps also the festivities afterwards!