Eredivisie Women The new Vrouwen Eredivisie season began on Sunday with a familiar group at the top, but there was little comfort in any of their victories. PSV, Ajax, FC Twente, Feyenoord and AZ all collected three points. None won by more than two goals, and four of the five opening fixtures were decided by a single goal.
That competitive opening was a fitting start to a changed league. The 2026/27 Eurojackpot Vrouwen Eredivisie has been reduced from 12 clubs to ten, with every team due to face the other nine three times across 27 matchdays. The location of the third meeting will depend on the standings after 18 rounds, giving the first two-thirds of the campaign an extra strategic edge.
Champions made to wait in Zwolle
Defending champions PSV were seconds away from leaving PEC Zwolle frustrated. The hosts kept the score at 0-0 until the 90th minute before Inske Weiman broke the deadlock. Julia Hickelsberger added a second in stoppage time to complete a 2-0 win that looked far more comfortable on the scoreboard than it had for most of the afternoon.
PSV entered the league season with momentum after beating FC Twente 3-0 in the Dutch Super Cup. That match brought goals from Chimera Ripa, Sara Thrige and Liz Rijsbergen, but the champions had to find a different route in Zwolle. Patience, depth and a strong finish proved decisive.
Ajax control the ball, Van Dijk supplies the goal
Ajax left Utrecht with a 1-0 victory after 16-year-old Elisa van Dijk scored in the 34th minute. The Amsterdam side had 69 per cent possession and recorded 19 attempts to Utrecht’s five, yet the margin remained narrow until the final whistle. It was a useful first test for a side balancing domestic ambitions with an early European programme.
FC Twente also started with a 2-1 home win against promoted De Graafschap. Jill Roord struck after four minutes and Imre van der Vegt doubled the advantage ten minutes later. De Graafschap stayed in the contest and Bente Jansen scored in added time, a respectable first showing at this level even though it did not produce a point.
Comebacks for Feyenoord and AZ
Feyenoord were the only opening-day winners to recover from a deficit. Elize van Vilsteren put sc Heerenveen ahead in the 18th minute, but Kirsten van de Westeringh levelled shortly after half-time and Victoria Della Peruta completed the turnaround in the 69th minute. Feyenoord’s 16 corners and 17 attempts told the story of their sustained pressure.
AZ also won 2-1, at home to ADO Den Haag. Desiree van Lunteren opened the scoring shortly before half-time. Floortje Bol equalised in the 56th minute, only for Jet van Beijeren to restore AZ’s lead with 13 minutes remaining.
Opening weekend results
- FC Utrecht 0-1 Ajax
- PEC Zwolle 0-2 PSV
- sc Heerenveen 1-2 Feyenoord
- AZ 2-1 ADO Den Haag
- FC Twente 2-1 De Graafschap
One round cannot settle a title race, but it can reveal the first pressure points. PSV needed late intervention, Ajax dominated without pulling clear, and both Feyenoord and AZ had to respond after conceding. FC Twente began quickly but allowed the newcomers a late route back into the match. The favourites are all off the mark, while the opening weekend suggested that the new ten-team competition may demand concentration from first minute to last.
Data: WomenLiveScore match centre and Sportmonks. Competition format and schedule: KNVB.
Photo: Tucquero / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
