2 June 2025
On the Longa football field in Lichtenvoorde, a boy who feels at home here is playing in the Olympia Talent Cup. Not only because he is good with the ball, but also because he played here himself for years. Finn (12) started his football adventure at Longa and is now part of De Graafschap’s youth academy. So for him, this tournament is more than just playing a few games.
From Longa to De Graafschap
“When I was eight, I suddenly received a letter from De Graafschap,” says Finn. “They asked if I wanted to come and train with them.” He remembers the moment well: training with other talented players from the region, the excitement of not knowing whether he would make it or not. “Fortunately, I was accepted in the end. It was really exciting, but also great fun.”
The transition from a warm small-town club to a professional youth academy took some getting used to, but Finn quickly felt at home. “It’s different; you play against professional clubs instead of amateur teams. And we train four times a week, plus matches.” Still, he looks back fondly on his time at Longa. “I had a lot of friends there and it was always fun. And I could just ride my bike to training.”
Back on familiar ground
That’s why it’s extra special for Finn that the Olympia Talent Cup is being played on Longa’s field. “It feels a bit like a home game,” he laughs. “I still come here often to watch, because my two brothers Mats and Nils also play here. And now I’m playing here again myself, but in a De Graafschap shirt. Against new opponents, but also against familiar faces.”
Finn enjoys being back on the old field where it all started for him. “It’s really nice to play against guys I’ve known for a long time. And the fact that friends and family can easily come and watch makes the tournament even more fun for me.”
Big dreams, with both feet on the field
Finn is serious about his sport. He lives for soccer and has big dreams: to play and score in De Kuip again. But he also remains level-headed. “The most important thing is to have fun. If you enjoy it and do your best, you’ll get ahead.”
That attitude fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the Olympia Talent Cup: performance and fun. Young talents show what they can do here, but above all how much they enjoy the game. And Finn? He’s not done on the field yet. “I just want to keep growing. And during the tournament, I enjoy it even more because I’m back at Longa for a while.”
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