Groningen 0–0 Volos NPS | International Club Friendly

A drab goalless draw unfolded at the Euroborg on July 25, 2026, as Dutch Eredivisie side Groningen and Greek Super League side Volos NPS played out a 0‑0 stalemate in a pre‑season friendly. Neither side managed to find the net in a match that lacked attacking fluency but served its purpose as a fitness exercise for both squads.

Match Overview

With both teams still in the early stages of pre‑season, the tempo was understandably slow. Groningen enjoyed the majority of possession, especially in the first half, but struggled to create clear‑cut chances. Volos NPS defended deep and organised, occasionally threatening on the counter‑attack. The second half saw a flurry of substitutions from both benches, which disrupted any rhythm. The best chance of the match fell to Groningen’s forward in the 68th minute, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Key Moments

• 18' – Groningen come close: A corner led to a scrambled effort that was cleared off the line by a Volos defender.
• 68' – Best chance of the match: A through‑ball split the Volos defence, but the Groningen striker’s finish was wayward.
• 84' – Volos’s only real threat: A long‑range free‑kick forced a comfortable save from the Groningen goalkeeper.

Tactical Story

Groningen set up in a 4-3-3 shape, looking to control the midfield and build through short passes. However, their final‑third creativity was lacking, with many attacks breaking down against a compact Volos defence. Volos NPS, under new management, focused on defensive solidity and used the match to work on their shape. The Greek side rarely committed players forward, happy to settle for a clean sheet.

Standout Players

• Groningen’s defensive midfielder: Broke up play effectively and distributed the ball cleanly, but his teammates failed to capitalise.
• Volos NPS centre‑back pairing: Organised and strong in the air, they ensured Groningen never looked like scoring.

Context and Preparations

For Groningen, the friendly was another step in their pre‑season build‑up ahead of the Eredivisie campaign. Manager Dick Lukkien will be concerned by the lack of attacking threat shown, but pre‑season results are rarely a reliable indicator. Volos NPS, preparing for the Greek Super League, will be heartened by their defensive discipline. Both teams will look to sharpen their attacking play in upcoming friendlies.