Roda and Groningen football fans ready for final match to decide Eredivisie promotion

Roda JC and Groningen held practices on Thursday that were well attended by fans ahead of the two teams' crucial match at 8 p.m. on Friday. The second and third-placed teams in the Eerste Divisie will compete in Groningen's home Euroborg stadium for the last direct promotion spot to the Eredivisie, the top professional football league in the Netherlands.

Their open Ascension Day training sessions drew hundreds of supporters, who banged on drums and set off some light fireworks while they cheered on their teams. Roda worked out on a training pitch and was welcomed by supporters who surrounded the pitch with flags and yellow fireworks.

FC Groningen, managed by Dick Lukkien, held their training session in the stadium that will host Friday's match. A part of the bottom ring of seats was filled with supporters who were given free entry.

Roda thought they had secured promotion last weekend until Groningen equalized deep into injury time against Telstar (1-1). This means that Groningen has a last chance to close the three-point gap with the club from Limburg, and confirm the second Eredivisie spot.

League leaders Willem II, who have one point more than Roda, have already confirmed promotion. The losing team will still have a chance to play in the Eredivisie after a playoff round including several other Eerste Divisie teams, and whichever Eredivisie team winds up in 16th place.

That is currently Excelsior, with RKC fighting to stay ahead of them. Both Vitesse and FC Volendam have already sealed their fate, and will be relegated to the Eerste Divisie next season.