NEC Nijmegen – Hamburg preview

By: Chris | February 18th, 2009

Die Rothosen travel to Nijmegen to take on NEC in the first knockout round of the Europa (ne: UEFA) Cup.

Nijmegen come into the match 9th in the Eredivisie table on 32 point, trailing leaders Alkmaar by a whopping 25 points. NEC have not had a victory in their past 3 Eredivisie matches, but did garner a point with a 1-1 draw versus Heerenveen on Sunday, in a match that gaffer Mario Been described his squad as “under sedation.” While a small club even by Dutch standards, NEC have proven every bit Europe worthy this season, having notched victories of Spartak Moscow on the road and Udinese during the UEFA Cup campaign. One last note on NEC: the pitch at their ground has been kindly described as “individual blades of grass, surrounded by mud” and will pose an added challenge to a flowing side like the New and Improved HSV (under BMJ). My thoughts: Muddy pitches are par for the course in Northern Europe this time of year and both sides have to play on the surface. Quit yer bitchin and get down to work.

NEC will be without right back Dani Fernandez, while there are varying reports that strike duo Tim Janssen and Dennis Rommedahl are in/out with ankle and hamstring injuries, respsectively.

Hamburg come into tonight’s match 3rd in the Bundesliga on 39 points, following Sunday’s victory over Bielefeld in the rain and snow. HSV have a strong record in the UEFA Cup this season, sporting a nifty 3-0-1 record in the group stages–their only loss coming at the hands of Dutch giants and Hamburg Offside fave (I’ve spent A LOT of time in Amsterdam and a village called Koog aan de Zaan) Ajax, 1-0 back on Thanksgiving (November 27). Ajax, by the way, are the only club, German or otherwise, to earn a victory at the ‘Bank in the 2008/09 campaign.

Mladen Petric is available for tonight’s match, as his suspension is limited to the Bundesliga only. Look for him to partner with Paolo Guerrero up top against NEC, as Jol tries to keep Ivica Olic fresh for Sunday’s gigantic clash with Leverkusen.

Probable lineups:

Nijmegen

Babos

Koenders, Pothuizen, Zomer, El Akchaoui

Sibum, Schöne, Davids

Rommedahl, Janssen, Bouaouzan

HSV

Rost

Demel Gravgaard Mathijsen Aogo

Jarolim Alex Silva

Trochowski Janssen

Petric Guerrero

Prediction: I think HSV are in good form and NEC are not. Despite the crappy playing surface HSV cruise with a clean sheet and set themselves up well for the round of 16. Make mine 2-0 for Hamburg.

Viewing options–In the US, this match will be on ESPN360. Alternately, you can try the ol’ P-2-P route. Here’s the link for the HSV match:

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=30488&part=sports