Edited by Chloe Orr
On a sunny September evening, the crowd gathered at the ground of VUC Football Club in The Hague to witness the 2026 edition of the annual Help Out Hague Cup organised by RISE. Freed’Op was on the ground to capture the atmosphere and report on the day’s events.
The anticipation and sheer excitement were palpable as all the teams began to warm up for their respective opening matches. One could even have been forgiven for almost forgetting that this tournament is ultimately a charity event.
At 6 PM, the opening ceremony commenced with all the players from each respective team lined up in a perfect line across the whole length of the main pitch. It opened to a roaring crowd, with all the dynamic optimism setting the stage for an entertaining night of footballing displays and team effort.
As the music was blaring through the ground, many among the crowd noticed that what made Team AUC stand out during this ceremony was the peculiar choice of wearing jeans and track bottoms with their jerseys, whereas the other teams presented themselves in full gear. The most frequent assumption was that their opening match would start only an hour later. However, aside from that detail, there was a strong sense of confidence and determination radiating from the players on the pitch. Many later argued that the boos that bombarded the THUAS All-Stars players upon their departure from the field at the end of the opening ceremony only strengthened their determination.
International Studies versus International Relations
The opening game was to be the fiercest rivalry of them all: IS versus IRO. Up until this tournament, IS had beaten IRO four games out of four and had acquired the previous two victories through the means of a penalty shoot-out.
IRO won the coin toss and got the kick-off. The game opened to a thunderous roar from the crowd and an equally assured performance from the IRO team right from the start. By the end of the first minute, a blunder by the IS keeper resulted in a corner for IRO, which did not amount to anything.
Their second chance came only 30 seconds later after a shaky start from the IS backline. This trajectory continued, with IRO clearly dominating in the first 5 minutes of the match, eager to finally bring home the victory that had escaped their grasp for over one and a half years. Their passing was fluid and their attacks dangerous, whereas the IS team looked unsure and slightly bewildered up until this point. Over the course of the first half, IRO squandered a few clear chances, and IS ultimately lacked the final decisive pass that could have turned the game in their favour. However, the first free kick in an attacking position did go to IS, and although it did not result in anything consequential, it indicated an evident recovery in the balance of play for their side. On two occasions, the IRO goalkeeper had to come out of his net to stop promising chances by the IS offence. The tension and physicality of the game only rose with each passing moment, resulting in the IRO keeper spending a prolonged time limping after a tough clash with the IS attacker. Half-time ended in a 0-0.
At the start of the second half, it appeared that the IS team had come back far stronger than before. And only mere minutes after the second half began, IRO’s number 9 gave away a penalty to IS via a handball inside the penalty box. The IS player went on to score the penalty in a cool and composed manner, resulting in a surprising 1-0 lead, for which the IS players were rewarded with an eruption of applause and cheers by their supporters. The balance of play remained heavily contested, with IRO wasting three consecutive chances and scrambling for the ball against a consistently unconfident IS defence. Not long after, IRO managed to formulate a response and score the equaliser. At this point, it was evident that both the IRO team and its supporters were ready to turn the game around and finally obtain that long-awaited win against the reigning champions. This wish became a reality as IRO scored 2-1 after a fluid attack of precise passing and a well-struck half-volley from inside the box. The crowd went wild, repeatedly chanting “I.R.O!” for five minutes thereafter. Tensions rose further after an IS player was kicked in the shin by an IRO player. The IRO player received a yellow card for that tackle. This incident occurred mere minutes after an argument involving at least a dozen different players had to be broken up on the field. Shortly thereafter, a tremendously well-executed counterattack by IRO led to a decisive goal that went in off the crossbar for 3-1. Every passing moment became filled with anticipation for the final whistle, and once it came, the crowd erupted, cheered, and embraced one another in pure ecstasy. IRO had now beaten IS for the first time ever. It was truly a memorable moment and an even more memorable match.
In a joint interview, the IRO players Maxim Székely (6) and Matúš Štupický (10), remarked that the game “felt easy at the end of the day” but was also “hard on a physical level”. Their shared conclusion was that IRO’s victory boiled down to them “wanting it more”.
In the other opening game between THUAS All-Stars and USCS, the former comfortably cruised to victory, with the score ending 4-1 for THUAS. It became evident, on account of these two matches, that THUAS and IRO were going to be the ones to watch in this tournament.
The Second Round
After losing their invincible streak against their most bitter rival, IS stepped onto the field to face LUC FC. The first ten minutes were rather uneventful, and the overall possession was balanced. Though the LUC attack squandered some golden opportunities, a LUC corner was converted via a header for 1-0. This set the precedent for a dominant display by LUC for the rest of the first half. However, the second goal for them would only come in the second half, as a blunder by the IS defender caused the LUC attacker to capitalise on an easy chance for 2-0. IS did go on to show some promising potential when it came to their attacking play; however, most of the time they remained ineffective.
Although IS was starting to gain some momentum, even formulating a response to make the score 2-1, LUC was able to score a consolidation goal against the run of play to put the end score at 3-1. Fate had now solidified the IS team’s fall from grace. One IS player noted after the match that, even in the face of defeat, “it was a good and equally fun game” and that, even though they “tried their best”, they were unable to “resolve tactical shortcomings before the game”.
In the other game, USCS was able to defeat AUC 2-0 and keep a clean sheet. Whilst the first half ended with an uneventful 0-0, USCS recovered their form to score two goals in the second half, which ultimately led them to victory. In what proved to be an interview ripe with colloquial wisdom, a USCS player commented on how the game was filled with plenty of “huh moments” and that they were facing a “big emma (emergency)” up until this match. However, he also expressed that he was “proud” of the performance by both himself and the rest of the team against AUC.
A Place in the Final
IRO’s next match would come against a so-far promising LUC side. The teams took to the field with a great sense of ambition and determination that was noticeable even from afar. The first ten minutes were encapsulated by strong defensive play and technical brilliance from both sides. By this point in the tournament, it was clear that many of the players had come into their own.
Apart from one IRO goal being disallowed, the first half could be best described as a stalemate: Possession was relatively balanced, and most of the action occurred in midfield rather than in the direct vicinity of either side’s backline. The corners, born of the few attacks that appeared dangerous, amounted to nothing. The half ended with cheeky chants being exchanged between the IRO and LUC supporters, who were certainly giving it their all.
The second half kicked off in dramatic fashion, as the physicality increased sharply in comparison to the first half. The referee remained consistently lenient, leaving many injured players for dead, as play continued uninterrupted. Both teams also struggled to maintain the same level of consistent passing as in the opening minutes of the first half, with most passes being either intercepted or misplaced when it mattered.
After what looked to be yet another tame attack, one of IRO’s star players, Akira Wolter, suddenly struck a marvellous half-volley from outside the box to give IRO the lead. Such a goal naturally provoked a resounding reaction from the crowd, as celebrations erupted across the ground. The final was now within reach. A second goal would later be disallowed for IRO, as a skilful display by an attacker who took out three defenders was ruled offside. However, IRO was seemingly unaffected by these controversial rulings. IRO’s Maxim Székely would go on to score a second goal merely five minutes later, stunning both the last defender and the goalkeeper.
The final whistle confirmed IRO’s place in the final for the second year in a row. Their optimism and self-assurance, on account of a strong performance so far in the tournament, indicated that, no matter the outcome, IRO was going to fight to the death to get their hands on that coveted trophy.
Match for Fifth-Place
The following match was to consist of AUC and IS, who went head-to-head to salvage a fifth-place finish in the playoff. The reigning champions kicked off the match determined to overturn this year’s underwhelming performance. The AUC team seemed to share this ambition, applying a vigorous high press for the opening minutes of the match. The first half saw very few shots on target, amounting to a goalless first half.
The second half continued in similar fashion as the balance of play fluctuated. However, thanks to a well-placed shot by IS legend and RISE organiser Luca Doru, IS was finally able to take the lead 1-0. Although the game remained heavily contested until the very end, IS came out victorious and finish in fifth place.
Third-Place Playoff
The third-place playoff consisted of USCS and LUC. Both teams had displayed a great deal of passion and ability so far, and no one was able to predict which of the two teams was going to take home bronze. The answer to this question came in the first half, after a long ball to USCS’ number 10, Eray Atay, culminated in a chip that stunned the LUC goalkeeper and made it 1-0.
The second half ended goalless. However, tensions remained high between the opposing teams, with many harsh tackles exchanged between the players. This did little to change the outcome of the match. USCS prevailed with a 1-0 victory to secure third place.
Once the final whistle was blown, a much-improved USCS side rejoiced in their achievement and celebrated accordingly. In an interview with USCS’ number 9, Nicholas Van Der Ree commented quite candidly on how they “came into this tournament with everyone thinking [they] were s*** and the underdogs. However, [they] proved them wrong.” Indeed, compared to last year’s performance, USCS showed significant improvement in their ability to function as a collective unit.
The Grand Finale
The stage was now set for IRO and THUAS to take to the field for the epilogue to a truly entertaining night of football. Once the players marched onto the field, the crowd roared with anticipation. Meanwhile, people flaunted flares along the sidelines to the sound of drums and chants.
Kick-off went to the THUAS All-Stars, with both sides putting all their aggression and passion on display. THUAS tipped the balance in their favour for much of the opening ten minutes, with a handful of near misses coming from several of their dangerous offensive plays. IRO’s consistently robust defence had suddenly become a bit shakier than before. Their backline barely kept the THUAS attackers away from the penalty box. Disputes and arguments amongst players and officials were common throughout the first half. On many occasions, simply tackling an opposing player was enough to start such a dispute.
The IRO offence showed signs of recovery when a handful of promising counterattacks resulted either in near misses or squandered opportunities. However, the opposition’s defence had IRO’s attack in a chokehold. At the same time, the THUAS strikers proved unable to convert any one-on-one chances they created into goals. Half-time ultimately ended 0-0, with the game still very much up for grabs.
The second half remained almost identical to the first in terms of the balance of play, possession, and atmosphere. After a yellow card for a THUAS player caused quite a ruckus in the stands, as well as ongoing disputes between players and the crowd, security eventually had to move closer to the crowd
Moments later, a dangerous THUAS attack inside the penalty box gave way to a scandalous dive by one of their attackers. To everyone’s bewilderment, the referee gave a penalty. THUAS midfielder Adam Winfield-Brun took the penalty and scored to make it 1-0.
THUAS supporters went wild, whilst the IRO supporters looked to be on the brink of starting a riot. Smoke flares were tossed into the crowd, insults were hurled at the players, and the game’s intensity was now greater than ever before. After many instances of poor conduct, the referee showed a THUAS player a red card after IRO attempted to score a goal straight from kick-off. The goal was disallowed. Tactically, THUAS had, at this point in the match, resorted to constantly booting the ball away from their own half rather than formulating another attack.
On the other hand, IRO tried incredibly hard to level the score, showing glimpses of their previous form in attack throughout the later stages of the second half. It was a nail-biting affair when a late THUAS free kick in a good position was intercepted by an IRO defender, starting a counterattack that amounted to nothing. Derogatory chants began to echo around the pitch when a THUAS winger started yet another dispute with the linesman and half a dozen IRO supporters out of nowhere. As the match was coming to an end, rumours of the referee being a THUAS student began to be spread across the stands. This rumour was indeed confirmed after the tournament ended.
The final whistle blew shortly thereafter and confirmed THUAS as this year’s champions of the Help Out Hague Cup. The All-Stars and their supporters went mad with celebration and revelled in their heavily contested victory, which will surely live in infamy. Cheers erupted, players embraced one another, and the crowd slowly started to disperse. Another year of heartbreak for IRO did not deter their manager from expressing how “proud” he was of his team. He also said that “beating IS and LUC was a great achievement. Even with the injuries we suffered, it went well.”
A thrilling charity tournament had now come to an end, as many members of the crowd began to make their way over to Club PIP for the after-party, hosted by Picasso Events. Very few fans stuck around to see the trophy celebration, but that did not discourage the THUAS players one bit. Furthermore, as longstanding dynamics have been flipped, anticipation sets in for the Derby of the Century in April of next year as this tournament has proven one thing to be true, to expect the unexpected.
Feels like I’m watching it live