Bayer 04 Leverkusen v DE Graafschap (NL)

Test Match

Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3 DE Graafschap 0

Ulrich-Haberland Stadion

18th January 2012 1pm Kick Off

Attendance 400 (Cap 3,200)

Weather Cold And Sunny -3

De Graafschap

De Vijverberg Stadium Doetinchem (Netherlands)

Pictures taken 31/12/11

De Graafschap (Dutch pronunciation: [də ˈɣraːf.ˌsχɑp]) is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000. The name of the club means The County in Dutch although they are nicknamed the 'Superboeren' ('Super Farmers').

While not a large club by European club football standards, this club has remained a semi-regular fixture in the Dutch Eredivisie (top league); although to date, it has never won any silverware of importance. De Graafschap is a club with a lot of tradition, however, with players such as the former PSV coach Guus Hiddink ensuring exciting football being played. It also has a large stadium and a large fanbase when compared to many other Dutch teams, particularly those in the Eerste Divisie. They have a fierce rivalry with Vitesse Arnhem.

In 2005, its first season back in the top flight, De Graafschap lost out in the Dutch play-offs and were relegated from the Eredivisie. In 2003, it was defeated again in the playoffs, this time as a promotion candidate.

They were crowned champions of the Eerste Divisie for the 2009-10 season and currently play in the Eredivisie.