A skydiver narrowly avoided serious injury after colliding with advertising hoardings during a pre-match stunt at the De Adelaarshorst stadium in the Netherlands. The incident occurred before the opening match of the new domestic football season for Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles against Willem II.
The plan was for a team of parachutists to deliver the match ball to the pitch, marking a spectacular start to the season. While most of the team landed without issue, one skydiver encountered trouble upon descent.
The parachutist was unable to slow down sufficiently upon reaching the playing surface and drifted towards one of the goals. Although the skydiver managed to avoid a direct collision with the goalframe by quickly pulling their parachute, they still struck a stanchion behind the goal and the advertising hoardings.
Following the scare, the parachutist was able to get back to their feet and signaled to the crowd that they were unharmed, prompting cheers from the spectators. An ESPN commentator noted the incident, humorously remarking, "The first injury of the season is a fact. Not of a player, but a parachutist."
Despite the pre-match drama, Go Ahead Eagles went on to secure a dominant 4-1 victory over newly promoted Willem II in their Eredivisie season opener.