Joy for Zwolle and Volendam

FC Zwolle and FC Volendam will play in the Dutch top flight next season after triumphing in the promotion/relegation play-offs.

Eight teams
Zwolle won Group A to preserve their top-flight status, while Volendam's success in Group B meant that SC Excelsior will be relegated from the Eredivisie. In all eight teams had the chance for the two places on offer, playing six games each in the two sections.

Late recovery
At the Oosterenk-stadion, Zwolle made hard work of their match against Helmond Sport, despite only needing a point to secure top spot. After a goalless first half, Helmod took the lead in the 50th minute through Cristof Aelbrecht. However, Zwolle recovered to score four times in the last 15 minutes through Albert van der Haar, a Marino Promes double and a Richard Roelofsen penalty.

Academic result
The other match in the group was academic with both sides ruled out of the running before kick-off. FC Den Bosch beat Go Ahead Eagles 1-0 thanks to a Charlie van den Ouweland goal on the half-hour mark.

Back after five years
Going into the final day, any one of the four Group B sides could still take the Eredivisie place. However, Volendam made sure it was they who triumphed with a 3-1 victory at home against SC Heracles to return to the top-flight for the first time in five years. Goals from Jack Tuyp, Maurice Buys and Houssein Ouhsane cancelled out a solitary goal for Heracles' Roel Buikema.

Van Dieren off
The other match saw Excelsior triumph 2-1 at home against BVO Emmen, despite having ten men for most of the second half after the dismissal of Rene van Dieren. In the 66th minute, Emmen took the lead through Arjan Blauw, but Steve Olfers and Gill Swerts ensured Excelsior finished the season with a win. However, it was not enough to preserve the Eredivisie place they had held for only one season.