Dordrecht, Excelsior back in Eredivisie

The Hague, May 19 (IANS) FC Dordrecht and Excelsior won the finals of the promotion/relegation play-offs and returned to Dutch top flight soccer Eredivisie.

In the meantime, FC Groningen won the European play-offs and claimed a spot in the Europa League, Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Excelsior drew 2-2 at RKC Waalwijk and won the promotion 4-2 on aggregate, while FC Dordrecht beat Sparta Rotterdam 3-1 following the 2-2 draw in the first leg.

The RKC was the third Eredivisie club relegated following NEC Nijmegen and Roda JC Kerkrade. Dordrecht returned to the Eredivisie after 19 years at the second level, while Excelsior were away for two years.

In the final of the European play-offs FC Groningen defeated AZ 3-0, after the 0-0 in Alkmaar three days ago.

Tjaronn Chery scored two times and Hans Hateboer produced the other goal. For the first time in seven years Groningen, which finished 7th in the regular season, qualified for Europe. They will start in the second preliminary round of the Europa League next season.

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