Friday 10 June 2011

I spy... ADO Den Haag (X)

[N.B. I have not missed a number, but I jump IF Elfsborg as they are Swedish and hence cannot be drawn against Örebro]

Things to know about ADO Den Haag 
Last season: 7th in the Eredivisie
Qualified through: won the Dutch Europa League Play-Off, having nearly lost its 5-1 lead from the first leg (losing the second leg against Groningen 5-1 but eventually winning on penalties)
Coach: John van den Brom
Star: Bulykin
Links to Örebro: the club is closely linked to FC Brügge.  So are ÖSK players Mikael Almebäck (just signed) and Alejandro Bedoya (may sign soon)
Comment:  This is a funny club.  Even the name is funny, ADO means Alles Door Oefening, Everything Through Training.  And the “Haags Kwartiertje” are both famous and notorious fans – the wildest fans in Dutch football.  The team did not have to do that much in league football to qualify for the Europa League.  They ended 7th and then went on to win the rather odd Dutch “Europa League Play-off”, where teams 5-8 in the Dutch league play for the last European spot (which they won in a spectacular way, see above).  The team has a decent track record with league titles in the 40s and several European appearances in the past, but the 7th spot this season was their best result since 1979.  The big star of the team is Russian Bulykin, who according to my sources defies nature.  Almost obese looking, yet fast and lethal.  The big fan favourite is Lex Immers, who has ADO tattooed over his back from his previous days as an ADO hooligan.  He still is one, actually
This is how we beat them: In a traditional Dutch manner, ADO seems to play full steam ahead (goal difference last year was 63-55 in 34 games, which is not unusual).  They seem to play mostly 4-3-3, and Bulykin seems to be the kind of striker that we need Almebäck to defend against.  And he will be gone by then.  That could be a problem.  But overall seems like an entertaining opponent, not far away from me, and if we win we will be seeded in the third round.  ADO more and more appears to be my favourite team in the draw. 
Chance of Örebro winning: 40%

No comments:

Post a Comment