Groningen
FC Groningen (GRO)
Overview
FC Groningen is a Dutch club founded in 1971 in Groningen city, located in northern Netherlands. The club competes in the Eredivisie, Dutch first division championship, and plays home matches at the Euroborg (officially Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion), a modern 22,500-capacity venue inaugurated in 2006. Trots van het Noorden (Pride of the North) represents the Netherlands' most northern region.
Groningen experienced glory years in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the KNVB Cup four times (1982, 1983, 1984, and 2015) and finishing Eredivisie runners-up on several occasions. The club particularly distinguished itself in the mid-2000s under Ron Jans' direction, regularly achieving European places. FC Groningen participated in several European cup editions, notably in the Europa League.
The club is characterized by excellent youth talent development and has revealed numerous players who shone at bigger European clubs, notably Arjen Robben, Luis Suárez (who began his European career at Groningen), and more recently Memphis Depay and Virgil van Dijk. The club maintains regional rivalries with Heerenveen and other northern formations. Groningen supporters are reputed for passion and loyalty, creating unique Euroborg atmosphere during home matches.