Sherif Ekrami's Feyenoord have failed to reach the UEFA Cup after a 1-1 second leg draw with Groningen in the Dutch playoff semi-final on Saturday. Groningen go through to the final with a 3-2 aggregate score line, following their 2-1 first leg victory. Set piece master Pierre Van Hooijdonk put Feyenoord ahead in the seventh minute with a trademark free kick, but Goran Lovre equalized in the 73rd minute to settle the tie for Groningen. Egyptian goalkeeper Ekrami did not appear for Feyenoord, as he continues to be second-choice to regular guardian Henk Timmer. The result comes as a blow to Feyenoord caretaker coach Leo Beenhakker, who has been appointed temporarily with the task to take Feyenoord to the UEFA Cup, following Erwin Koeman's resignation. The match also marked the end of Dutch international veteran Van Hooijdonk's playing career with the Rotterdammers.
