NEC and Heerenveen book spots in the play offs; RKC relegated from the Eredivisie
NEC Nijmegen and SC Heerenveen sealed their spots in the play-offs for the UEFA Conference League on Sunday during the final match of the Eredivisie season. They will compete against AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente to see who will be playing European football next season. The games will be played on Thursday, with the final being played on Sunday.
It was an incredibly tense final day in the battle for European football. Several teams were within a few points of each other going into the final day. NEC defeated Heracles Almelo away due to goals from Sonja Hansen and Basar Onal after they had gone behind due to a goal from Sem Scheperman.
SC Heerenveen booked their spot after beating their former manager Robin van Persie’s team Feyenoord on the final day. Two first-half goals in the Abe Lenstra Stadium ensured that the club from Friesland picked up the final playoff spot.
PEC Zwolle finished just two points behind Heerenveen, with Sparta Rotterdam, FC Groningen, and Heracles Almelo all coming up just short.
AZ Alkmaar will face SC Heerenveen on Thursday evening before FC Twente hosts NEC. AZ and Twente failed to win their last two games of the season. AZ drew their final game against already relegated Almere City and Twente lost to Ajax. The final of the play-offs will be played at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
RKC Waalwijk joined Almere City are the two teams that have been relegated to the second division, the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. The Waalwijkers won their final game of the season in spectacular fashion, beating Go Ahead Eagles 5-3. But it was not enough, finishing a point behind Willem II, while also having a far worse goal difference.
Willem II will compete in the play-offs against relegation. Their first two legs will be against FC Dordrecht. The winner of this tie will face FC Den Bosch or Telstar in the final to decide who will be playing in the Eredivisie next season.
