Getting to Know You: FC Twente
Dutch side Twente travel to Greece this week to take on Thrylos on matchday six of the Europa League. The latest edition of “Getting to Know You” allows you to become more familiar with Thursday’s opponent.
Background
FC Twente is a Dutch football club based in Enschede, a city in the eastern Netherlands near the German border. Founded in 1965 through a merger of two local clubs, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys, FC Twente has grown into one of the most prominent teams in Dutch football.
Nicknamed "De Tukkers," a regional term for people from Twente, the club is also affectionately known as "The Reds," reflecting the signature red home kit that has been a hallmark of their identity since their inception.
FC Twente contests a fierce rivalry with Heracles Almelo in the local derby known as the "Twentse Derby," a fiercely contested battle for regional supremacy. They also compete regularly with clubs like Feyenoord and Ajax, vying annually for European qualification spots and domestic success.
The club plays its home matches at De Grolsch Veste, a modern and striking stadium located in Enschede. Opened in 1998 and expanded since, it now has a seating capacity of over 30,000. De Grolsch Veste is renowned for its excellent facilities and vibrant atmosphere, particularly during high-stakes matches and European fixtures.
Honours and European Experience
Compared to most sides Thrylos encounter on the European stage, Twente have a relatively modest list of honours and achievements. Since the club's formation in 1965, they have spent all but two years playing at the highest level in the Netherlands, the Eredivisie. However, silverware has largely eluded them.
Twente have been crowned Dutch champions on just one occasion, famously claiming the 2010 Eredivisie title under former England manager Steve McClaren. The club have been runners-up on three further occasions (1974, 2009, and 2011). The Reds have won the KNVB Cup three times in their history, lifting the trophy in 1977, 2001, and 2011. They have also been losing finalists on four occasions. On the continental stage, their greatest success came as runners-up in the 1974-75 UEFA Cup, losing 1-5 on aggregate to Borussia Mönchengladbach in a two-legged final. This season marks their 32nd campaign in UEFA competition. This is the first official meeting between Twente and Olympiacos. However, they have faced Greek opposition three times before, each in a two-legged tie. Twente have played against AEK, Panachaiki, and Panionios, boasting a record of P6 W4 D1 L1. Their sole loss came at the hands of Panionios, a 4-0 defeat in the 1979-80 Cup Winners’ Cup. Their biggest victory was a 7-0 thrashing of Panachaiki.
In the Hot Seat
Joseph Oosting is the current head coach at De Grolsch Veste, undertaking his second season in charge of the club. Oosting had a modest playing career spanning almost two decades in the Dutch second tier, starting and finishing at Emmen, with a five-season spell at Veendam sandwiched in between.
Following his playing career, the former midfielder worked his way up, developing his coaching credentials at several amateur clubs and through different age groups at Vitesse, eventually taking on roles with the senior side. His first Eredivisie head coach role came at RKC Waalwijk ahead of the 2021-22 season, where he achieved consecutive mid-table finishes (10th and 9th). After proving himself as an Eredivisie coach, Oosting was appointed by Twente in July 2023. He made an immediate impact, guiding the team to a 3rd place finish in his debut season.
Route in Europe & Season-to-Date
Twente finished the 2023-24 Eredivisie season in third place, behind Feyenoord and champions PSV. This ensured they had only a single round of European qualification to undertake in the summer. Paired with Austrian Bundesliga runners-up Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League play-off qualification round, Twente lost 2-1 in Austria but managed a thrilling 3-3 draw in the home leg, ultimately losing 4-5 on aggregate. As a result, they entered the Europa League league phase. After five rounds, The Reds’ European record stands at no wins, three draws, and two losses. Their campaign began with two 1-1 draws, away to Manchester United and at home to Fenerbahce. A 0-2 loss to Lazio followed after goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall was sent off in the 11th minute. Matchday four saw them draw 2-2 away to Nice, despite squandering a two-goal lead and receiving another red card. In their last outing, they suffered a disappointing 0-1 home defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise. Twente are currently in 29th place in the table, two points off 24th, with three matchdays remaining. Domestically, Twente sit fifth in the Eredivisie after 15 games, with 28 points from eight wins, four draws, and three losses. Their defeats have come against three of the four sides above them: Feyenoord, Utrecht, and PSV. The latter handed them a humbling 6-1 loss in their most recent match. Twente also drew 2-2 with Ajax in a competitive encounter. Elsewhere, Twente have dispatched lower-ranked sides to stay on course for European qualification. Their best league run this season came between 19th October and 1st December, when they went six games unbeaten, amassing 14 points. Notable performances include two 5-0 victories against Heracles and Almere City.
Players to Watch
FC Twente boast an energetic, well-balanced squad. About two-thirds of the squad are homegrown Dutch talents, complemented by players from across Europe who bring diverse qualities. The age profile is balanced, with most players in their 20s and prime years. The squad also includes raw young talents, such as Julien Mesbahi, alongside experienced leaders. Ricky van Wolfswinkel is a seasoned striker who remains a key threat. Having made his name in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon, where he scored 43 goals in two seasons, van Wolfswinkel has also had spells at Norwich City, Saint-Étienne, Real Betis, and Basel. Now in his fourth season with Twente, he has scored 45 goals for the club. While his game time in the Eredivisie is being carefully managed, he remains a trusted figure in Twente’s European campaign. Despite not scoring in seven European games this season, he remains a player capable of troubling any defence. Michel Vlap, a former Dutch youth international, is another key figure. Starting his career at Heerenveen, Vlap moved to Anderlecht before joining Twente permanently in 2022. A creative attacking midfielder, Vlap has five goals and three assists this season. With an 89% pass accuracy and an average of 1.9 key passes per game, he is a player who can unlock defences and create opportunities from nothing.
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