Zwolle began their campaign for the 2014–15 KNVB Cup in September 2014, as a professional side and defending KNVB Cup champions, in the second round.[1] They were drawn against FC Oss of the Eerste Divisie, meeting in Zwolle. PEC narrowly defeated the visitors by three goals to two with goals from Jesper Drost (2) and Tomáš Necid.[2] In the third round Zwolle met local amateur club HHC Hardenberg at home. HHC headed against the crossbar before Zwolle midfielder Thomas Lam put the home side 1–0 in front. Lam added a second and third goal in the first half to complete a hat-trick. HHC found the back of the Zwolle net before Thanasis Karagounis put PEC 4–1 up before half-time. In the second half Bart van Hintum added a fifth goal for Zwolle, scoring from a free-kick, before Ben Rienstra put the ball in the top corner of the HHC goal, with Zwolle winning 6–1.[3]VVV-Venlo were PEC's opponents in the fourth round, meeting in Venlo. Necid put Zwolle 1–0 ahead early in the first half after converting a cross from Van Hintum. In the last minutes of the match, VVV equalised but the goal was disallowed after Warner Hahn, PEC's goalkeeper, was fouled. Zwolle held on and progressed to the quarter-final.[4] None of the "Big Three" teams—Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV—reached the quarter-final; it was the sixth time it happened since 1956 and the first time since 2008–09.[5]
PEC were drawn away against Eredivisie club Cambuur in the quarter-final.[5] Lam scored the opening goal with a header, marking his fourth goal of the cup season. Hahn made a string of saves during the first half to preserve Zwolle's lead. Early in the second half Ryan Thomas doubled PEC's lead from outside the box before former Zwolle player Furdjel Narsingh scored twice in five minutes for Cambuur to bring the score level. The match went to extra time, where Jody Lukoki netted a third for the visitors. PEC held on and proceeded to the semi-final of the KNVB Cup for the third consecutive year.[6] Zwolle's Ron Jans coached his tenth cup match whilst at PEC, winning all of them.[7] PEC were paired with Twente in the semi-final, with the match held at Twente's De Grolsch Veste. It was the seventh time both sides met in the cup, with Twente winning all previous meetings, including the 1977 final. Twente were also unbeaten against PEC Zwolle at home.[8] Former Twente player Wout Brama put PEC 1–0 ahead in the 82th minute before Twente equalised five minutes later. The game went to extra time, where both sides did not find the back of the net. Zwolle won the penalty shoot-out 4–2 with Necid scoring the winner with a Panenka.[9][10]
Groningen entered the 2014–15 KNVB Cup, as a professional club, in the second round where they faced amateur club Barendrecht.[1] Played in Barendrecht, Groningen won 4–1 with goals from Danny Hoesen, Michael de Leeuw, Nick van der Velden and Jarchinio Antonia.[11] Groningen were again drawn against an amateur club in the following round, meeting Flevo Boys away. Groningen proceeded to the fourth round with a convincing 8–1 victory, with Hoesen, Yoëll van Nieff, De Leeuw (4), Dino Islamović and Johan Kappelhof finding the net.[12] De Leeuw scored a hat-trick in five minutes and Groningen recorded their tied-biggest away win in the club's history.[12][13] In the fourth round they were drawn against Eerste Divisie side Volendam at Euroborg, Groningen's home ground.[14][15]Mimoun Mahi put Groningen 1–0 ahead shortly before half-time, Van der Velden converted a penalty kick halfway through the second half and De Leeuw scored Groningen's third shortly before full-time. The club proceeded to the quarter-final with a 3–0 victory.[15]
Groningen faced Eredivisie side Vitesse at home in the quarter-final.[5] The visitors dominated during the first hour but it remained goalless. Around the 60th minute, De Leeuw's header was saved by Vitesse defender Guram Kashia on the goalline, using his hand. Kashia was sent off and Groningen were awarded a penalty kick. De Leeuw's shot was saved but Tjaronn Chery found the back of the Vitesse net in the rebound. De Leeuw doubled the score five minutes later before Van Nieff added a third for Groningen; he passed two Vitesse defenders and put the ball in the top corner. Maikel Kieftenbeld scored the fourth goal with a volley. Groningen defeated Vitesse 4–0 and progressed to the semi-final for the first time since 1988–89.[16][17] The semi-final, played at Euroborg, was against Eredivisie club Excelsior, who made their first appearance in a KNVB Cup semi-final since 1977–78.[5][18] Playing before a sold-out crowd, Groningen were without key players De Leeuw, who was ill, and without Eric Botteghin, who was suspended. Excelsior were the better side during the opening stages of the game but it remained goalless. Hans Hateboer, Groningen's right-back and Botteghin's replacement, put the home side 1–0 ahead after 40 minutes. Albert Rusnák added a second goal early in the second half before Chery scored a third for Groningen in the 88th minute. Botteghin, who watched the game with the Groningen ultras, ran on the pitch after the final whistle to celebrate with Groningen coach Erwin van de Looi.[19]
^"Euroborg viert finaleplaats Groningen" [Euroborg celebrates Groningen's place in the final] (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
64', 75'
