Vangelis Pavlidis opens the scoring for Willem II with a mazy dribble. Photo: ANP/Jeroen Putmans
Willem II secured their place in next season’s Eredivisie with a 2-1 win over Fortuna Sittard, consigning Emmen to the end-of-season play-offs.
Vangelis Pavlidis put the Tilburgers ahead with a fabulous dribble past four defenders and chipped finish just before half-time. Zian Flemming levelled the scores three minutes after the break with a shot from outside the penalty area, but Sebastian Holmén’s shot from a corner on 67 minutes proved decisive.
Emmen’s 16th-placed finish, thanks to a late-season charge after they failed to win any of their first 23 matches, means they now face NAC Breda in the play-off semi-finals on Thursday. The winners of the competition will play in the Eredivisie next season.