Rotterdam takes its first title in thirteen years in the penultimate minute

They had to wait thirteen years for it. But in 2026, the men of Rotterdam can again call themselves the best team in the country. The team of outgoing coach Erik van Driel drew 2-2 against Amsterdam in the second final. On Saturday, the first final battle ended 3-2, in favor of Rotterdam, which won its second title in club history.

They stood with their backs against the wall. Survived one corner after another in the final phase. We were already hoping for shoot-outs. Until it happened 75 seconds before the end. Joaquin Menini became the star for Rotterdam after he tipped a free ball from Justen Blok into the ropes. A few minutes later, everyone in the Schouten Zekerheid Stadium became drunk with happiness. How they longed for a grand prize.

That feeling was not great, but immense. In 2017 and 2024 they lost the final and in between were named as title contenders every year. A top team that has been a supplier to the Dutch national team for some time. Now has no fewer than six players in the training group. But it was also often far too erratic. See, for example, last season, in which Rotterdam did not even make it to the play-outs. It was a big stain on the farewell of club icon Jeroen Hertzberger, who was of course a spectator at his club on Sunday - in his own Rotterdam shirt.