A 0-2 victory over FC Utrecht on Sunday has given Heracles Almelo its first ever ticket for European football.

The two sides met in the final play-off for a place in the Europa league’s final selection rounds after tying 1-1 in the first leg.

Almelo will join the European competition in the third elimination round, meaning they will have to win against two other clubs to proceed to the group stage.

Meanwhile, De Graafschap of Doetichem, poised for relegation to the Jupiler League, said on Monday they will go to court if they are sent down.

Judges

The club’s fate hinges on what happens to FC Twente, which football association officials say should be demoted because of financial irregularities.

Twente plans to fight its relegation in court and if judges rule in the club’s favour, De Graafschap will go down after all. But officials say the uncertainty is making it impossible to plan or reach deals with sponsors for next season.

‘We are going to continue as if we are a premier league club and act accordingly,’ manager Hans Veldhorst told the local Gelderlander paper.