Groningen break trophy duck with Dutch Cup win

FC Groningen have won the first silverware in their history after beating holders PEC Zwolle 2-0 in the Dutch Cup final at Feijenoord Stadion in Rotterdam.

Zwolle defeated AFC Ajax in last year's edition, but they were on the back foot from the start, with Michael de Leeuw forcing Joost Broerse to block his effort within the first minute. The reigning champions then forced their way into the game, and both Broerse and Tomáš Necid enjoyed chances.

Groningen regained the initiative in the second half and Warner Hahn saved with his legs from De Leeuw before Albert Rusnák opened the scoring on 65 minutes with a deflected effort. The Slovakian midfielder then doubled the advantage with a volley from Jarchinio Antonia's pass ten minutes later, ensuring De Trots van het Noorden (the Pride of the North) their first trophy since they were founded in 1971.

"This feels fantastic," said 20-year-old match winner Rusnák after the victory. "This is my first year in the Netherlands, so to experience this already is unbelievable. For me, this was the most important match in my career. We really won as a team today. How you do it does not matter – it's all about winning."