Groningen

Football Club Groningen (Dutch pronunciation: [ɛfˈseː ˈɣroːnɪŋə(n)]) is a Dutch professional association football club based in Groningen, province of Groningen. Founded on 16 June 1971 as the successor of GVAV, the team currently compete in the Eredivisie, the highest tier of Dutch football. The side finished their inaugural season in 12th place in the Eredivisie, before they were relegated to the Eerste Divisie in 1974 as Groningen got into financial difficulties. Groningen were promoted to the Eredivisie as champions in 1979–80 and remained in the top flight for almost 20 seasons before they dropped to the second tier in 1997–98. The team won promotion to the Eredivisie in 1999–2000, where they have remained since.

Groningen have won the KNVB Cup once—in 2014–15—and were champions of the Eerste Divisie in 1979–80. They were KNVB Cup finalists in 1988–89 and were runners-up in the Johan Cruyff Shield in 2015. Groningen's achieved their highest-ever league position in 1990–91 when they finished third in the Eredivisie. The side's first participation in European competition came in the 1983–84 UEFA Cup; Groningen defeated Atletico Madrid on aggregate in the first round, but were eliminated by Inter Milan in the following round. Notable players who have played for Groningen include Ronald Koeman, Arjen Robben, Luis Suarez and Virgil van Dijk.

The side's first home stadium was Stadion Oosterpark; since 2006, they have played their home games at the Euroborg. Groningen's home kit colours are based on the city's coat of arms: green and white. The club is nicknamed "Trots van het Noorden" (English: "Pride of the North"). Groningen have a rivalry with Frisian club sc Heerenveen, with whom they contest the Derby of the North.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Гронинген (russian)