Meet the Team Mirddyn Tol on Kras/Volendam's Historic Title Win

Ahead of the new season, we spoke with goalkeeper Mirddyn Tol of Kras/Volendam about last season’s long-awaited Dutch title, the team’s hunger for more, and his own goals between the posts. 

How would you describe the atmosphere within the team? 

“We have a good mix of young and experienced players who get along well. It creates a nice dynamic: the more experienced players take on leadership roles, while the younger guys have to work hard to earn their spot. That ‘tension’ keeps the energy high, in a good, friendly way. We all want to win. Nobody in the team had ever won the Dutch championship before, so last season everyone was equally hungry for the title. Now that we’ve won it together, a special bond has formed within the team. We know what to expect from each other, and expect a lot in return. I think we complement each other well and keep each other sharp.” 

What do you think is the team’s greatest strength this season? 

“After winning the Dutch championship, I think our greatest strength going into next season is confidence. We’ve seen what discipline can bring us. As long as we trust the system and keep working hard within it, both as a team and as individuals, we know we’ll be fully preparedon the part of the game we can control. Compared to previous seasons, we now have a very clear picture of what trust in the process can bring us. That trust gives us enormous energy to work just as hard again this season.” 

What’s changed within the team this year? 

“The team has largely stayed the same. Besides two players who unfortunately left, we’ve also added some reinforcements: Mitchel Luijten strengthens us on the right wing, Ryan Smulders joins from Houten to help at right back, Marios Diamantis also joins us at right back, and we’ve brought in Axel Skoog, a Swedish pivot. I think the biggest difference is that Ricardo now coaches us from the very start of the season. We have more time to prepare for his system and get ready for the most important months. That comes with a changed mentality too, one of winners. We have even more energy to workharder and fight for titles, because we know what it can bring us and how good it feels to win.” 

What are the team’s goals for this season? 

“I think we need to set the bar high for ourselves this season. The Supercup is of course the first test, and we’re going to give everything to win it again, just like last season. I also think it’s time for us as a club to go one round further in the Europa Cup. We haven’t managed that in recent years, with a big disappointment last season when we missed out by just one goal. In the new Coinmerce SHL we already reached the quarterfinals last season, but couldn’t secure a spot in the final. I think it would be a great step for the team and the club if we reach thefinal this year, alongside the strongest teams, and can fight for the title there. The cup would of course be a fantastic prize to win, in the big hall in Almere, just like three years ago. And finally, staying Dutch champions would obviously be the best thing there is. It won’t be easy. The short summary is that we have to fight for a gold banner in the Opperdam. That’s already 13 years ago now. Beyond the titles, it’s just as important for us to develop as players and as a team. We have a lot of young players who might want to take a step further one day, but the older players are just as driven to get the most out of their handball. Our goal should be to create an environment within the team where everyone can develop to their fullest.” 

What’s your team’s favourite pre-match ritual? 

“Before every home game we gather at the Duin family’s house, close to the hall. It’s been a ritual for years, we get a nice cup of coffee and snacks there to give us plenty of energy for the match. Any ‘player of the week’ mascots also come by to talk through the upcoming game with us. I did that myself as a young kid too. It’s a really nice moment, we can relax together before the focus has to kick in, and there’s always a lot of laughing. We’re incredibly grateful to the Duin family for always being so hospitable and involved, they’re a real part of theteam.” 

What would you personally like to achieve this season? 

“Personally, I’d like to play with more maturity this season. In past seasons it fluctuated a lot: one game I’d keep really well, but the week after I’d barely save anything. I want to become more consistent, more reliable. I also want to develop my reading of the game, so I can make better use of my height. And finally, I want to get the mental side fully under control. I sometimes go through periods where I doubt myself a lot. Last season I worked hard on that and learned a lot. This season I want to fully accept that it’s all a process with ups and downs, andfind the approach that works for me to stay on top of my progress and mindset. All of this to prepare myself for a possible next step. Maybe it’ll come this season, maybe later, but either way I want to do everything I can to become the best possible goalkeeper in the CoinmerceSHL.”