2025-02-04, 11:47 AM - Word count:
From the moment the Benelux starting lineup was officially announced questions swirled about the tiny federation’s prospects. Yes, they had talent at the top, the Reykjavik pairing of Furious Chicken and Jean-Claude Goddamn together with veteran Edwin van der Sloth. But could that fearsome trio anchor an otherwise very young group? Doubts were raised particularly about the defensive solidity of the federation. Hercule Hefeweizen was repurposed as a center back alongside the fresh out of the academy Aart de Trella. Even more concerning, in goal a 350 TPE inactive, Lewis Monsieur, got the nod. And finally the midfield was to be held down by two recent academy graduates LaBamba Ball and Carolien Miedema. These young or forgotten players would need to hold their own in addition to getting heroic performances from the more established members for the federation to taste success. Let’s take a look at how it all played out.
Friendlies
Before the competition each team was given the opportunity to test themselves against two opponents drawn to different groups. USA would be the first matchup a skillful and talented team, but one left scrambling to piece together their shape after some key departures during the transfer process. In the end Benelux won a decisive victory 4-0 though both could find strengths and weaknesses from the exhibition to work on in future matches. Their final friendly was a matchup against Norden. They fought to a frantically paced draw against another team with the TPE edge and with a strong structure to their side. Taken together these friendlies convinced the young squad that they could be competitive against any level of talent.
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/5WV5nPGM/image.png)
Group Stages
Drawn into Group A, Benelux were hopeful they could secure advancement to the knockout stages. Though no group was easy, the TPE levels of this group were more modest than others, and two federations Canada and South America had a less active leadership group.
Group play opened up against Canada. The very first official match of the WSFC was an eventful one. The veterans came ready to play. Furious Chicken and Jean-Claude Goddamn (JCGD) both opened their campaign with hat tricks, while Edwin van der Sloth (EVDS) also found the back of the net. LaBamba Ball and Nerve De Groot also got in on the action as the party started with a dominant performance winning 9-4.
The next match was against South America. Concerned about the attacking firepower the southern hemisphere footballers could bring, Benelux came out with a more balanced mentality. Still a handful of goals were to be found in particular by JCGD and EVDS (this would be a frequent occurrence necessitating the acronymization). But so too did Hannah van Garritsen and Carolien Miedema. The scoring was needed however, as the defense did their best to contain the opposition but still allowed 3 goals. When the dust settled the final was 3-5 in favor of the Benelux side.
Entering the final group match both Benelux and West Africa knew they would advance, but seeding was still up for grabs. West Africa opened the scoring in the 5th minute to take a 1-0 lead. JCGD made things level in the 35th and that’s where they stayed for the remainder of the first and first third of the second half. Zach Mulder gave Benelux the lead in the 59th minute, and then things got truly wild. West Africa tied things shortly thereafter and then there was brief calm before the storm, a violent eruption of shots in the last 15 minutes of the game. Both teams had a number of good chances. Hercule Hefeweizen, Nerve de Groot, and Teitur Justinussen all notched goals from the 83rd minute onward. Unfortunately, Hefeweizen’s was an own goal. The difference in the game that saw the team lose 4-3, and finishing second in the group.
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/DH8NbXjN/image.png)
Knockouts
Following the disappointing loss Benelux would be matched up against the Alpine Federation, victors of Group C, the aptly labeled group of death. As has been their habit, the young Benelux squad made noise from the first whistle, starting with a sad trombone giving up a goal in the third minute, but quickly reversing the situation with an assault of 4 goals of their own before the first half was concluded. They added a fifth goal in the 48th minute then attempted to coast to the finish. Their defense held well enough to advance with a 2-5 win.
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/S4WGMp8N/image.png)
The Semifinal matchup was against the Pyrenees. Beyond the primary colors of each federation this was a match defined by seeing red. Each side came in young, hungry and aggressive. The veteran leadership of Benelux was key with JCGD and Chicken scoring. But in the end the outcome may have come down to chance. An injury to Pyrenees' wing back and a red card for the other wing back meant the Pyrenees never really could organize a comeback. The Low Countries found their second knockout victory against another federation defined by their mountain ranges.
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/QF4QmY9f/image.png)
And then there were two. A rematch of the Group A final, Benelux had a chance to avenge their loss to West Africa. And here a picture is worth a thousand words. The scoring opened up early as had been the Benelux MO Aart de Trella heading in a cross beautifully served up by Furious Chicken. The Benelux locker room lit up at this moment, the last of their young players finding their name on the score sheet. When EVDS added a second goal the group felt this could really be their year, that the job might be done. But of course it wasn’t. West Africa quickly answered to make the difference a single goal. And for the remaining 70 minutes West Africa had all the chances. Benelux showed their youth particularly their backline made a number of gaffes leading to solid chances for their opponent. But always they were able to hustle and correct their mistake. And the journeyman in goal Louis Monsieur made 8 heroic saves to keep the lead until the final whistle.
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/rfwzxD1j/image.png)
Benelux were not the better team on their final day, but they came away with the win. And looking back at the tournament as a whole the tiny federation can be quite happy with their performances individually and as a team. The veterans clearly delivered. JCGD finished tied with the most goals scored, while Furious Chicken had the most assists, most player of the match awards, and tied for the highest average rating. Down to a man they put in great work all tourney. Every rookie had their time in the spotlight, but also played a key role even in the unheralded moments. Hopes are high for the low countries in the next WSFC, but nothing is assured and they will savor this hard fought win.
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/dwpyZChc/image.png)
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/5Zc3sLV/image.png)
![[Image: image.png]](https://i.ibb.co/tMdY5ddz/image.png)
Friendlies
Before the competition each team was given the opportunity to test themselves against two opponents drawn to different groups. USA would be the first matchup a skillful and talented team, but one left scrambling to piece together their shape after some key departures during the transfer process. In the end Benelux won a decisive victory 4-0 though both could find strengths and weaknesses from the exhibition to work on in future matches. Their final friendly was a matchup against Norden. They fought to a frantically paced draw against another team with the TPE edge and with a strong structure to their side. Taken together these friendlies convinced the young squad that they could be competitive against any level of talent.
Group Stages
Drawn into Group A, Benelux were hopeful they could secure advancement to the knockout stages. Though no group was easy, the TPE levels of this group were more modest than others, and two federations Canada and South America had a less active leadership group.
Group play opened up against Canada. The very first official match of the WSFC was an eventful one. The veterans came ready to play. Furious Chicken and Jean-Claude Goddamn (JCGD) both opened their campaign with hat tricks, while Edwin van der Sloth (EVDS) also found the back of the net. LaBamba Ball and Nerve De Groot also got in on the action as the party started with a dominant performance winning 9-4.
The next match was against South America. Concerned about the attacking firepower the southern hemisphere footballers could bring, Benelux came out with a more balanced mentality. Still a handful of goals were to be found in particular by JCGD and EVDS (this would be a frequent occurrence necessitating the acronymization). But so too did Hannah van Garritsen and Carolien Miedema. The scoring was needed however, as the defense did their best to contain the opposition but still allowed 3 goals. When the dust settled the final was 3-5 in favor of the Benelux side.
Entering the final group match both Benelux and West Africa knew they would advance, but seeding was still up for grabs. West Africa opened the scoring in the 5th minute to take a 1-0 lead. JCGD made things level in the 35th and that’s where they stayed for the remainder of the first and first third of the second half. Zach Mulder gave Benelux the lead in the 59th minute, and then things got truly wild. West Africa tied things shortly thereafter and then there was brief calm before the storm, a violent eruption of shots in the last 15 minutes of the game. Both teams had a number of good chances. Hercule Hefeweizen, Nerve de Groot, and Teitur Justinussen all notched goals from the 83rd minute onward. Unfortunately, Hefeweizen’s was an own goal. The difference in the game that saw the team lose 4-3, and finishing second in the group.
Knockouts
Following the disappointing loss Benelux would be matched up against the Alpine Federation, victors of Group C, the aptly labeled group of death. As has been their habit, the young Benelux squad made noise from the first whistle, starting with a sad trombone giving up a goal in the third minute, but quickly reversing the situation with an assault of 4 goals of their own before the first half was concluded. They added a fifth goal in the 48th minute then attempted to coast to the finish. Their defense held well enough to advance with a 2-5 win.
The Semifinal matchup was against the Pyrenees. Beyond the primary colors of each federation this was a match defined by seeing red. Each side came in young, hungry and aggressive. The veteran leadership of Benelux was key with JCGD and Chicken scoring. But in the end the outcome may have come down to chance. An injury to Pyrenees' wing back and a red card for the other wing back meant the Pyrenees never really could organize a comeback. The Low Countries found their second knockout victory against another federation defined by their mountain ranges.
And then there were two. A rematch of the Group A final, Benelux had a chance to avenge their loss to West Africa. And here a picture is worth a thousand words. The scoring opened up early as had been the Benelux MO Aart de Trella heading in a cross beautifully served up by Furious Chicken. The Benelux locker room lit up at this moment, the last of their young players finding their name on the score sheet. When EVDS added a second goal the group felt this could really be their year, that the job might be done. But of course it wasn’t. West Africa quickly answered to make the difference a single goal. And for the remaining 70 minutes West Africa had all the chances. Benelux showed their youth particularly their backline made a number of gaffes leading to solid chances for their opponent. But always they were able to hustle and correct their mistake. And the journeyman in goal Louis Monsieur made 8 heroic saves to keep the lead until the final whistle.
Benelux were not the better team on their final day, but they came away with the win. And looking back at the tournament as a whole the tiny federation can be quite happy with their performances individually and as a team. The veterans clearly delivered. JCGD finished tied with the most goals scored, while Furious Chicken had the most assists, most player of the match awards, and tied for the highest average rating. Down to a man they put in great work all tourney. Every rookie had their time in the spotlight, but also played a key role even in the unheralded moments. Hopes are high for the low countries in the next WSFC, but nothing is assured and they will savor this hard fought win.
