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In the Netherlands this week, the play-offs began, after which it will be clear who will get tickets to the UEFA competitions.
The country's champions Eindhoven's "PSV" secured a place in the Champions League. Meanwhile, the clubs occupying 2nd to 5th places (respectively "Ajax", "AZ", "Twente" and "Heerenveen") are fighting amongst themselves for the remaining ticket. The winner of these play-off matches will earn the right to participate in next year's Champions League from the qualifying rounds, while the remaining three teams will participate in the UEFA Cup.
The biggest surprise after the matches took place in the town of Herenveen, where the local footballers won 1-0 against "Ajax".
"AZ" played a 1-1 draw away with "Twente", and now they will have to avoid conceding any goals in the play-offs at home.
Play-offs for the Champions League and UEFA Cup
"Twente" 1 - 1 "AZ" 13' [0 - 1] S. Cziommer 48' [1 - 1] K. Bakircioglu
"Heerenveen" 1 - 0 "Ajax" 18' [1 - 0] L. Nilsson
The other four teams ("Roda", "Feyenoord", "Groningen" and "Utrecht") are fighting among themselves for the only ticket to the "Intertoto" tournament. The remaining three teams will be left out.
Play-offs for the Intertoto Cup
"Utrecht" 0 - 0 "Roda"
"Groningen 2 - 1 "Feyenoord" 14' [0 - 1] R. Castelen 45' [1 - 1] E. Nevland 72' [2 - 1] G. Sankoh
21' J.D.Guzman ("Feyenoord") sent off
Teams that finished 10th-13th are also participating in the play-offs, competing for the so-called "special place". This situation occurs when the winner of the Dutch Cup enters among the top 7 teams in the regular championship. Since this year's cup was dramatically won by "Ajax", these matches are also taking place. The winner of these matches will get a ticket to the "Intertoto" competition.
Play-offs for the second "Intertoto" ticket
"Vitesse" 3 - 2 "NAC" 9' [1 - 0] F. Benson 27' [2 - 0] M. Junker 36' [3 - 0] F. Benson 66' [3 - 1] M. Zonneveld (penalty) 69' [3 - 2] M. Zonneveld
"Sparta" 1 - 1 "NEC" 13' [0 - 1] P. Jans 21' [1 - 1] D. Adeleye
