In Uitgelicht we look at the main players of the time. This time we take a closer look at the 2012 cup final between PSV and Heracles Almelo. Who were at the kick-off at the time and where have their careers taken them since? From Neapolitan's all-time club top scorer to winning the UEFA Champions League, we list their various adventures.
In 2012 Peter Bosz was the head coach of Heracles Almelo, which was no match for PSV. After exactly half an hour of play, it was Ola Toivonen who put PSV up 1-0 with a heel. In the second half, PSV tied the game after a header by Dries Mertens - in which he lost a couple of teeth - and a fine marker by Jeremain Lens helped PSV to a wide lead. Thanks in part to these goals, Phillip Cocu's team recorded a 3-0 win over Heracles and PSV won its ninth KNVB Cup.
Setup PSV: Tytoń, Bouma, Marcelo, Pieters, Hutchinson, Strootman, Labyad ('75 Engelaar), Toivonen, Mertens ('86 Depay), Wijnaldum, Lens ('80 Matavž)
Setup Heracles Almelo: Pasveer, van der Linden, Rienstra, Looms, Breukers, Quansah, Duarte ('66 Vejinović), Overtoom ('71 Gouriye), Everton, Douglas ('66 Bruns), Armenteros
Przemysław Tytoń - FC Twente- 39 years
The Polish goalkeeper was under contract in Eindhoven for several years and, after two rental periods, was permanently sold to German side VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2015. After his period in Germany, the goalkeeper returned to the Netherlands via Deportivo La Coruña and FC Cincinnati. Currently, Przemysław is still active and is part of the FC Twente selection.
Wilfred Bouma - Stopped - 47 years
Wilfred Bouma 's successful career came to an end not long after this cup final. Wilfred played much of his career in Eindhoven, becoming national champion a total of six times and winning three cups. Additionally, Wilfred played in England at Aston Villa and the defender has 37 international games to his name. He is currently assistant coach at PSV U21.
Marcelo - Stopped - 38 years
The Brazilian center defender left PSV one year after winning the cup and joined German side Hannover 96. After periods at Beşiktaş, Olympique Lyon and Girondins de Bordeaux, the Brazilian ended his career in Australia at Western Sydney.
Erik Pieters - Stopped - 37 years
Erik recently put an end to his career as a footballer. The winger can look back on a successful career and after his time at PSV played a long time in England. Erik played for Stoke City, Burnley, West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town and Derby County, among others. Erik appeared in 225 Premier League matches in action. In addition, the left back has 18 international matches to his name.
Atiba Hutchinson - Stopped - 43 years
After his time in Eindhoven, the Canadian midfielder opted for a Turkish adventure in Istanbul with Beşiktaş. In Turkey, the Canadian international ended his career in 2023 after the midfielder became a three-time Turkish champion. In addition, Atiba played more than 100 international matches and became Denmark's champion four times with FC Copenhagen.
Kevin Strootman - Stopped - 36 years
Kevin played two years in Eindhoven after which the midfielder opted for an adventure abroad with AS Roma. There he quickly became a crowd favorite and was nicknamed "Er lavatrice," or the washing machine. But injuries began to affect his career. After his time in the Italian capital, he played for Olympique Marseille, Cagliari and Genoa. Kevin also played a total of 46 times for the Dutch national team, scoring 3 goals.
Zakaria Labyad - Corinthians - 32 years
The Moroccan international joined PSV's main squad from his own youth. In the summer of 2012, Zakaria opted for a Portuguese adventure at Sporting CP. After his period in Portugal, the attacking midfielder played at the likes of Vitesse, Fulham, Ajax and FC Utrecht. Currently, Zakaria plays alongside Memphis Depay at Corinthians in Brazil.
Ola Toivonen - Stopped - 39 years
The Swedish striker cum midfielder played a total of five years in Eindhoven before transferring to French side Stade Rennes. After his time with Rennes, the Swedish international played for Sunderland, Toulouse and Melbourne before returning to Sweden with Malmö FF. After three years with Malmö, the striker ended his career in 2023 after becoming a two-time Swedish champion.
Dries Mertens - Stopped - 38 years
Dries can look back on an extremely successful career and played a total of more than one hundred duels for the Red Devils. After his time in Eindhoven, the Belgian played for Napoli for nine years where he became the club's all-time leading scorer. His career came to an end in 2025 after he played his final years for Galatasaray, where he became Turkish champion three times.
Georginio Wijnaldum - Al Ettifaq - 35 years
Georginio swapped PSV for Newcastle United in the summer of 2015. After several seasons with 'The Magpies,' the midfielder made the move to Liverpool FC where he became English champion and won the UEFA Champions League. After a short spell at PSG and AS Roma, the Oranje international currently plays in Saudi Arabia for Al Ettifaq.
Jeremain Lens - Real Sranang - 38 years
In the three years Jeremain played for PSV, the striker made a big impression. After his period in Eindhoven, the striker played at a large number of clubs including Dynamo Kiev, Sunderland, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş. Jeremain currently plays in the Fourth Division with Real Sranang.
Peter Bosz - PSV - 62 years
Peter Bosz was head coach of Heracles Almelo during this cup final. After that he was at Vitesse, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympique Lyon. Since 2023, the coach has been with PSV, where he is experiencing successful times.
