Tragic Death of 28-Year-Old Reality Star and Footballer in Boat Collision

Jun 26 2026

A 28-year-old footballer and reality TV contestant has tragically died in a boat collision while swimming. Mats Grotenbreg, known for his appearance on The Bachelorette, was involved in a devastating incident in the Netherlands.

The collision occurred while he was swimming, leading to his untimely death. Authorities confirmed that a swimmer had died after being struck by a boat, and a suspect is now in custody.

Details surrounding the incident remain scarce, as police have not released further information or identified the victim. However, Mats' football coach at Jonge Kracht verified the heartbreaking news, stating, "This is incomprehensible, Mats was a great guy, always cheerful and enjoying life."

Giovanni Büttner, a fellow footballer, expressed his sorrow on Instagram, saying, "No words for it. Played together for six years and received the phone call with the terrible news."

Mats Grotenbreg gained notoriety in Dutch football after scoring a last-minute winning goal against Ajax in the KNVB Cup two and a half years ago. His decisive strike in the 92nd minute secured a 3-2 victory for USV Hercules, marking one of the biggest upsets in Dutch football history.

His fame extended beyond sports when he appeared on the third season of The Bachelorette, competing for the affections of contestants Diva Brons, Beate van der Weide, and Kashin Aziz in Marrakech.

He also participated in Fboy Island, a reality show featuring a mix of single men and women categorized as "Nice Guys" and "FBoys."

Fans and friends have flooded social media with tributes. One fan remarked, "This feels so, so unreal! Rest in peace," while another added, "Rest in peace, mate. There are no words for this. Strength to family, friends, and acquaintances."

Another tribute read: "Terrible. I met him briefly once, and he struck me as a friendly, enthusiastic young man with so many dreams. Unimaginably sad. Wishing strength to everyone who loved him."

Mats Grotenbreg was a successful amateur footballer.

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