FC Groningen snatches Eredivisie promotion from Roda JC; Willem II win Eerste Divisie

FC Groningen fans erupted in celebration in Groningen bars after their club's football team secured a guaranteed promotion to the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch professional football. The men's team from Tilburg side Willem II, which already locked in the first promotion spot, were crowned the champions of the Eerste Divisie on Friday, the last match day of the season.

With a 2-0 victory over Roda JC, FC Groningen will return to the highest football class next season just one full season after relegation. During the last round of play, FC Groningen snatched second place away from Roda JC.

Led by manager Dick Lukkien, FC Groningen managed to tie Roda JC on points with 75 for the season. But FC Groningen went into the match with a better goal differential, tipping the balance in their favor.

Johan Hove headed FC Groningen into the lead just before half time. In the second half, it quickly became 2-0 thanks to a goal by Jorg Schreuders. After the final whistle, the celebrations broke out, with enthusiastic supporters entering the field.

Images from RTV Noord showed how fans, who did not manage to get a ticket for the match, watched the game play out in a packed café and enthusiastically followed the match.

All is not lost for Roda JC. The Limburg squad will enter a play-off round with other Eerste Divisie teams and the third-worst Eredivisie club. The team that wins the brief elimination tournament will play in the top tier football league next year.

In addition to FC Groningen, Willem II was previously promoted to the Eredivisie. In a nail-biter, Willem II defeated Telstar with three second half goals for a final of 3-2.

The Tilburg team also won the championship in the Eerste Divisie, branded this year as the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. In the King Willem II Stadium, fans also stormed the field and lifted the players up on their shoulders.

Telstar took the lead with a goal by Jay Kruiver. Just before half time it even became 0-2 thanks to an own goal by Freek Heerkens.

Thijs Oosting kept Willem II in the match with a spot-on shot at the start of the second half. Substitute Rob Nizet scored the equalizer in the final phase of the match, and Ringo Meerveld also gave the home team the victory in extra time.

The Tilburg team, led by coach Peter Maes, secured promotion to the Eredivisie with a draw at FC Dordrecht. They finished on 79 points after 38 matches.