At the AFAS Stadion, football paused for a family in mourning. Ronald Koeman Jr, Telstar’s goalkeeper and the son of Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, was overcome with emotion as AZ Alkmaar paid tribute to his mother, Bartina Koeman, before Sunday’s Eredivisie match.
A tribute before AZ Alkmaar v Telstar
- Bartina Koeman died from breast cancer on 15 September at the age of 65. Her husband, Ronald Koeman, publicly announced her death earlier in the week.
- Before AZ’s home game against SC Telstar in the seventh round of the Eredivisie, play was stopped for a minute of applause in her memory.
- Ronald Koeman Jr was in goal for Telstar and could not hold back his tears when an image of his mother appeared on the stadium’s giant screen.
- AZ supporters also displayed a banner offering their condolences: “Koeman family, we wish you much strength.”
- AZ Alkmaar went on to win the match 1-0.
The moment brought a sombre note to the Dutch league fixture, with the visiting goalkeeper visibly affected by the tribute to his mother.
