Mats Grotenbreg, 28, dies after water accident

Mats Grotenbreg, a 28‑year‑old amateur footballer, died in a water accident. He briefly rose to global attention 2.5 years ago after scoring the winning goal for USV Hercules’ amateur side against Ajax in the KNVB Cup, a dramatic knockout match.

Grotenbreg had been playing for USV Hercules, an amateur club in the Dutch football system. His decisive strike secured the victory over Ajax, eliminating the Eredivisie giants from the competition.

The match took place in the KNVB Cup, the premier Dutch knockout tournament. The goal made Grotenbreg a household name for a short period, drawing worldwide media attention.

News of his death revived memories of his cup heroics among Dutch football fans. Reports confirmed his age as 28 and described the incident as a water accident.