2023–24 Willem II season

Willem II
2023–24 season
ManagerPeter Maes
(from 16 September)
Reinier Robbemond
(until 5 September)
StadiumKoning Willem II Stadion
Eerste Divisie1st
KNVB CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Jeredy Hilterman (16)

All:
Jeredy Hilterman (17)
Highest home attendance13,888
(16 February 2024 v. ADO Den Haag
Lowest home attendance10,594
(15 October 2023 v. FC Den Bosch
Average home league attendance12,437
Biggest win0-5
(12 January 2024 at TOP Oss)
Biggest defeat1-4
(3 September 2023 v. Roda JC)
colours
colours
All statistics correct as of 10 May 2024.

The 2023–24 season is Willem II's 128th season in existence and second consecutive in the Eerste Divisie. They also competed in the KNVB Cup.

After a slow start to the season which saw the club fall to 15th position in the Eerste Divisie, with only one win in four games, culminating in a 4–1 loss to arch-rival NAC Breda, manager Reinier Robbemond was fired by the club on 5 September 2023.[1]

On 16 September 2023, the club introduced Peter Maes as their new head coach, succeeding Robbemond.[2] The appointment of Maes marked the club's first-ever Belgian head coach and his first coaching venture outside of Belgium. Under Maes' guidance, the team secured victories in their initial six matches and on Matchday 14, following a 2-1 home victory over Jong FC Utrecht, Willem II took over the 1st position in the Eerste Divisie.

The run of good play continued under Maes and on Matchday 37 late substitute Michael de Leeuw scored in the 93rd minute to earn a 1-1 draw on the road against FC Dordrecht.[3] The draw earned Willem II enough points on the season to secure promotion back to the Eredivisie for the 2024-25 season.[4] To finish off the season, on the final match day, Willem II came back from a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2 on a stoppage-time goal by midfielder Ringo Meerveld to secure the Eerste Divisie championship.[5]

Players

[edit]

First-team squad

[edit]
As of 21 December 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
21 GK Netherlands NED Joshua Smits
24 GK Netherlands NED Connor van den Berg
41 GK Netherlands NED Maarten Schut
3 DF Netherlands NED Freek Heerkens (captain)
4 DF Netherlands NED Erik Schouten (2nd captain)
5 DF Iceland ISL Rúnar Þór Sigurgeirsson
20 DF Netherlands NED Valentino Vermeulen
30 DF Austria AUT Raffael Behounek
33 DF Netherlands NED Tommy St. Jago
34 DF Netherlands NED Amine Lachkar
44 DF Netherlands NED Niels van Berkel
22 DF Netherlands NED Rob Nizet
No. Pos. Nation Player
6 MF Belgium BEL Matthias Verreth
10 MF Netherlands NED Max de Waal
16 MF Netherlands NED Ringo Meerveld
27 MF Netherlands NED Dani Mathieu
29 MF Netherlands NED Thijs Oosting
32 MF Netherlands NED Jesse Bosch
7 FW Netherlands NED Nick Doodeman
9 FW Suriname SUR Jeredy Hilterman (on loan from Almere City)
11 FW Sweden SWE Max Svensson
17 FW Netherlands NED Patrick Joosten
18 FW Democratic Republic of the Congo COD Jeremy Bokila
23 FW Netherlands NED Michael de Leeuw
35 FW Netherlands NED Khaled Razak

Transfers

[edit]

In

[edit]
Date Position No. Player From club Notes Ref.
12 July 2023 MF 10 Netherlands Max de Waal Netherlands Ajax U21 Free Transfer [6]
28 July 2023 DF 30 Austria Raffael Behounek Austria WSG Tirol Transfer [7]
31 July 2023 FW 17 Netherlands Patrick Joosten Cyprus Apollon Limassol FC Free Transfer [8]
24 August 2023 FW 9 Netherlands Jeredy Hilterman Netherlands Almere City FC Loan [9]
28 August 2023 DF 5 Iceland Rúnar Thór Sigurgeirsson Sweden Östers IF Transfer [10]
1 September 2023 DF 33 Netherlands Tommy St. Jago Netherlands FC Utrecht Free Transfer [11]
24 October 2023 GK 41 Netherlands Maarten Schut Netherlands Willem II youth team Transfer [12]
24 October 2023 FW 35 Netherlands Khaled Razak Netherlands Willem II youth team Transfer [13]
20 January 2024 DF 22 Belgium Rob Nizet Belgium K.F.C. Lommel S.K. Free Transfer [14]

Out

[edit]
Date Position No. Player From club Notes Ref.
31 May 2023 MF 13 Netherlands Leeroy Owusu Denmark Odense Boldklub Free Transfer [15]
9 June 2023 FW 7 Belgium Elton Kabangu Belgium Royale Union Saint-Gilloise Free Transfer [16]
24 June 2023 DF 6 Netherlands Wessel Dammers Denmark Randers FC Transfer [17]
3 July 2023 FW 9 Netherlands Jizz Hornkamp Netherlands Heracles Almelo Transfer [18]
4 July 2023 MF 22 Netherlands Wesley Spieringhs Netherlands Roda JC Kerkrade Free Transfer [19]
4 August 2023 GK 1 Greece Kostas Lamprou Netherlands Feyenoord Free Transfer [20]
4 August 2023 MF 8 Spain Pol Llonch Spain SD Ponferradina Free Transfer [21]
5 August 2023 DF 25 Netherlands Lucas Woudenberg France Valenciennes FC Transfer [22]
1 September 2023 FW 14 Netherlands Joeri Schroijen Netherlands Helmond Sport Free Transfer [23]
24 October 2023 FW 36 Netherlands Jelte Pal Without a team Terminated [24]

Pre-season and friendlies

[edit]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

15 July 2023 Friendly Willem II Netherlands 4–0 Netherlands Eindhoven
13:00 CEST (UTC+2)
22 July 2023 Friendly Westerlo Belgium 2–1 Netherlands Willem II
18:00 CEST (UTC+2)
25 July 2023 Friendly Willem II Netherlands 0–1 Belgium RFC Liège
16:00 CEST (UTC+2)
29 July 2023 Friendly Willem II Netherlands 0–3 Netherlands Sparta Rotterdam
13:00 CEST (UTC+2)
5 August 2023 Friendly Beveren Belgium 2–3 Netherlands Willem II
16:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Competitions

[edit]

Overall record

[edit]
Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Eerste Divisie 13 August 2023 10 May 2024 Matchday 1 1st 38 23 10 5 77 35 +42 060.53
KNVB Cup 2 November 2023 19 December 2023 First round Second round 2 1 0 1 4 4 +0 050.00
Total 40 24 10 6 81 39 +42 060.00

Last updated: 10 May 2024
Source: Soccerway

Eerste Divisie

[edit]

League table

[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Willem II[a] (C, P) 38 23 10 5 77 35 +42 79 Promotion to the Eredivisie
2 Groningen[b] (P) 38 22 9 7 71 30 +41 75
3 Roda JC Kerkrade[c] 38 21 12 5 69 34 +35 75 Qualification for promotion play-offs
4 Dordrecht 38 18 15 5 74 51 +23 69
5 ADO Den Haag 38 17 12 9 72 50 +22 63
Source: Flashscore, Keuken Kampioen Divisie (in Dutch)
Rules for classification: Season in progress: 1) Most points won; 2) Less points lost; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Alphabetical order; End of season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Play-off if relevant for deciding champion, relegation or participating in a European league, otherwise by draw. 8) Penalty shoot-out (only after a play-off)[25]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Winner of the Second Period (Rounds 10–19)
  2. ^ Winner of the Third and Fourth Period (Rounds 20–29 and 30–38)
  3. ^ Winner of the First Period (Rounds 1–9)

Results summary

[edit]
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
38 23 10 5 77 35  +42 79 14 3 2 45 21  +24 9 7 3 32 14  +18

Last updated: 10 May 2024.
Source: [citation needed]

Results by round

[edit]

Results by round

[edit]
Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundAHAHHAAHHHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAH
ResultDWDLWLWWWWWWLWWWWDWWWDDDWWLLWWWWDWDDDW
Position1125151112105422221111111111111111111111111
Updated to match(es) played on 10 May 2024. Source: [citation needed]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

[edit]

The league fixtures were unveiled on 30 June 2023.[26] '

13 August 2023 1 Eindhoven 1–1 Willem II Eindhoven
12:15 CEST (UTC+2)
  • Van Doorm 56'
Report Stadium: Jan Louwers Stadion
Attendance: 2,641
Referee: Erwin Blank
18 August 2023 2 Willem II 2–0 Dordrecht Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 12,520
Referee: Robin Hensgens
27 August 2023 3 Groningen 0–0 Willem II Groningen
14:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Euroborg
Attendance: 20,721
Referee: Sander van der Eijk
5 September 2023 4 Willem II 1–4 NAC Breda Tilburg
10:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,836
Referee: Edwin van de Graaf
8 September 2023 5 Willem II 2–1 MVV Maastricht Tilburg
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 12,260
Referee: Clay Ruperti
17 September 2023 6 Cambuur 1–0 Willem II Leeuwarden
16:45 CEST (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Cambuur Stadion
Attendance: 9,852
Referee: Dennis Higler
3 October 2023 7 Willem II 2–1 TOP Oss Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 12,679
Referee: Alex Bos
Note: The match was originally scheduled for 22 September 2023, but was postponed due to heavy rains making the field unplayable.[27]
29 September 2023 8 Jong AZ 0–2 Willem II Wijdewormer
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: AFAS Trainingscomplex
Attendance: 627
Referee: Stan Teuben
6 October 2023 9 Willem II 4–2 De Graafschap Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,515
Referee: Pol van Boekel
15 October 2023 10 Willem II 3–1 FC Den Bosch Tilburg
14:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 10,594
Referee: Martijn Vos
21 October 2023 11 Roda 0–1 Willem II Kerkrade
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: Parkstad Limburg Stadion
Attendance: 10,631
Referee: Marc Nagtegaal
27 October 2023 12 Willem II 3–0 Jong PSV Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,064
Referee: Kevin Puts
6 November 2023 13 Jong Ajax 1–0 Willem II Ouder-Amstel
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
  • Idumbo Muzambo 9'
Stadium: Sportpark De Toekomst
Attendance: 946
Referee: Nick Smit
10 November 2023 14 Willem II 2–1 Jong FC Utrecht Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
  • Nazjir Held 21'
  • Mees Akkerman Yellow card 65' Yellow-red card 68'
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 12,909
Referee: Jannick van der Laan
17 November 2023 15 VVV-Venlo 1–3 Willem II Venlo
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: De Koel
Attendance: 5,715
Referee: Clay Ruperti
24 November 2023 16 SC Telstar 1–5 Willem II Velsen
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: 711 Stadion
Attendance: 2,419
Referee: Marc Nagtegaal
1 December 2023 17 Willem II 3–0 FC Emmen Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 12,639
Referee: Stan Teuben
8 December 2023 18 ADO Den Haag 1–1 Willem II The Hague
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Stadium: ADO Den Haag Stadium
Attendance: 7,658
Referee: Dennis Johan Higler
15 December 2023 19 Willem II 4–1 Helmond Sport Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,638
Referee: Sander van der Eijk
22 December 2023 20 NAC Breda 1–2 Willem II Breda
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Rat Verlegh Stadion
Attendance: 18,638
Referee: Allard Lindhout
12 January 2024 21 TOP Oss 0–5 Willem II Oss
20:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: Frans Heesen Stadion
Attendance: 2,678
Referee: Stan Teuben
19 January 2024 22 Willem II 1–1 Jong Ajax Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,860
Referee: Jesse Rozendal
27 October 2023 23 Jong PSV 1–1 Willem II Eindhoven
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: De Herdgang
Attendance: 1,180
Referee: Luuk Timmer
2 February 2024 24 Willem II 1–1 SC Cambuur Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,579
Referee: Erwin Blank
9 February 2024 25 De Graafschap 0–2 Willem II Doetinchem
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: De Vijverberg
Attendance: 11.756
Referee: Ingmaar Oostrom
16 February 2024 26 Willem II 2–1 ADO Den Haag Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,888
Referee: Alex Bos
23 February 2024 27 Willem II 2-3 Roda JC Kerkrade Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 14230
Referee: Danny Makkelie
8 March 2024 28 FC Emmen 0–2 Willem II Emmen
20:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: De Oude Meerdijk
Attendance: 7475
Referee: Allard Lindhout
8 March 2024 29 Willem II 3-0 FC Eindhoven Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13.416
Referee: Marc Nagtegaal
15 March 2024 30 FC Den Bosch 1–4 Willem II 's-Hertogenbosch
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: De Vliert
Attendance: 4956
Referee: Jannick van der Laan
23 March 2024 31 Willem II 2-0 VVV-Venlo Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,557
Referee: Dennis Johan Higler
29 March 2024 32 Helmond Sport 0-2 Willem II Helmond
20:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: GS Staalwerken Stadion
Attendance: 3325
Referee: Alex Bos
8 April 2024 33 Jong FC Utrecht 1-1 Willem II Utrecht
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Galgenwaard
Attendance: 876
Referee: Boyd van Kommer
12 April 2024 34 Willem II 4-1 Jong AZ Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Attendance: 13,684
Referee: Richard Martens
20 April 2024 35 MVV Maastricht 1-1 Willem II Maastricht
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: De Geusselt
Attendance: 7,803
Referee: Jaanick van der Laan
26 April 2024 36 Willem II 1-1 FC Groningen Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Referee: Rob Dieperink
3 May 2024 37 FC Dordrecht 1-1 Willem II Dordrecht
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Krommedijk
Attendance: 4018
Referee: Jeroen Manschot
10 May 2024 38 Willem II 3-2 SC Telstar Tilburg
20:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Referee: Marc Nagtegaal

KNVB Cup

[edit]
2 November 2023 First round VV SJC 1–3 Willem II Noordwijk
20:00 CET (UTC+1)
  • Martijn van Trigt 11'
Stadium: Gemeentelijk Sportpark SJC
19 December 2023 Second round Willem II 1–3 FC Groningen Tilburg
20:00 CET (UTC+1)
Stadium: Koning Willem II Stadion
Referee: Bas Nijhuis

Awards

[edit]

Team Awards

[edit]
Award Competition Ref.
Second Period Champions Eerste Divisie [28]
Season Champions Eerste Divisie [29]

Individual Awards

[edit]
Award Player Competition Ref.
Best Keeper Netherlands Joshua Smits Eerste Divisie [30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Renier Robbemond en Willem II uit elkaar" [Reinier Robbemond and Willem II part ways] (in Dutch). Willem II. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Peter Maes nieuwe hoofdtrainer Willem II" [Peter Maes, new Willem II head trainer] (in Dutch). Willem II. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Gigantisch volksfeest barst los: De Leeuw kopt Willem II in krankzinnige slotfase naar de eredivisie" [Huge public party erupts: De Leeuw heads Willem II into the Eredivisie in insane finish] (in Dutch). Brabant Dagblad. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Willwm II Promoveert Naar De Eredivisie" [=Willem II promoted to the Eredivisie] (in Dutch). Keuken Kampeon Divisie. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Willem II maakt in de extra tijd 3-2 en is op eigen kracht kampioen" [Willem II scores in stoppage time and becomes champion] (in Dutch). Brabant Dagblad. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Welkom Max!" [Welcome, Max!]. Willem II. July 12, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  7. ^ "Wilkommen Raffa!" [Welcome, Raffa!]. Willem II. July 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  8. ^ "Patrick Joosten tekent voor twee jaar" [Patrick Joosten signs for two years]. Willem II. July 31, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "Willem II huurt Jeredy Hilterman van Almere City" [Willem II receives Jeredy Hilterman on loan from Almere City]. Willem II. August 24, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  10. ^ "Rúnar Thór Sigurgeirsson voor drie jaar naar Willem II" [Rúnar Thór Sigurgeirsson to Willem II for three years]. Willem II. August 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  11. ^ "Tommy St. Jago tekent voor twee jaar" [Tommy St. Jago signs for two years]. Willem II. September 1, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  12. ^ "Schut and Razak officieel overgeheveld haar het eerst elftal" [Schut and Razak officially transferred to the first team]. Willem II. October 24, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  13. ^ "Schut and Razak officieel overgeheveld haar het eerst elftal" [Schut and Razak officially transferred to the first team]. Willem II. October 24, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "Rob Nizet voor 1,5 jaar naar Willem II" [Rob Nizet signs with Willem II for a year and a half]. January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Leeroy Owuss verlaat Willem II" [Leeroy Owusu leaves Willem II]. Willem II. May 31, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "Kabangu near Union Saint Gilloise" [Kabangu to Union Saint Gilloise]. Willem II. June 9, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  17. ^ "Wessel, bedankt!" [Thank you, Wessel!]. Willem II. June 24, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  18. ^ "Jizz Hornkamp near Heracles Almelo" [Jizz Hornkamp to Heracles Almelo]. Willem II. July 3, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "Wesley Spieringhs nieuwe aanwinst Roda JC Kerkrade" [Wesley Spieringhs , new signing for Roda JC Kerkrade]. 1 Limburg. July 4, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "Kostas Lamprou vertrekt naar Fayenoord" [Kostas Lamprou departs for Feyenoord]. Willem II. August 4, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  21. ^ "Pol Llonch verlaat Willem II" [Pol Llonch leaves Willem II]. Willem II. August 4, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  22. ^ "Lucas Woudenberg vertrekt naar Valenciennes FC" [Lucas Woudenberg departs for Valenciennes FC]. Willem II. August 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "Joeri Schroijen vertrekt naar Helmond Sport" [Joeri Schroijen departs for Helmond Sport]. Willem II. September 1, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  24. ^ "Contract Jelte Pal ontbonden" [Jelte Pal's contract terminated]. Willem II. October 24, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "Reglementen betaald voetbal seizoen 2020-21" [Regulations professional football season 2020-21] (PDF) (in Dutch). KNVB. 20 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Keuken Kampioen Divisie: Het laatste nieuws, uitslagen, standen en samenvattingen". 24 August 2023.
  27. ^ "Willem II en TOP Oss spelen niet door hevige regenval". 22 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Willem II wint tweede periode in Keuken Kampioen Divisie, ADO Den Haag dankzij wereldgoals te sterk voor NAC" [Willem II wins second period in Keuken Kampioen Divisie, ADO Den Haag too strong for NAC thanks to spectacular goals] (in Dutch). Algemeen Dagblad. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  29. ^ "Willem II keert op eigen kracht als kampioen terug in de Eredivisie" [Willem II returns to the Eredivisie as champion] (in Dutch). Keuken Kampioen Divisie. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Ould-Chikh Beste Speler & 't Zand Beste Talent van de Keuken Kampioen Divisie" [Ould-Chikh best player & ‘t Zand best talent in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie] (in Dutch). Keuken Kampioen Divisie. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
[edit]