FC Twente take first division title, move back into the Eredivisie

Wout Brama of FC Twente shows the winners' plate to fans. Photo: VI via HH
Wout Brama of FC Twente shows the winners’ plate to fans. Photo: VI via HH

Football club FC Twente is heading back to the Eredivisie after taking the first division title with a 0-0 draw against Young AZ at home on Monday.

The goalless draw was enough to give the club enough points to seal the title after main competitor Sparta lost 2-0 to Young PSV.  With three matches left to play, Twente is eight points clear of Sparta, who have just two games to go.

Some 30,000 supporters had packed into the Grolsche Veste stadium to watch the match and see their club return to the premier Dutch division. Twente were relegated last season.

Earlier this month a majority of Enschedé city councilors backed a rescue plan for the troubled club, which involves writing off €5m of a €17m loan and scrapping repayments and interest on the remainder of the cash.

Companies and private supporters have also stepped in to help the club. ABN Amro has written off €4.5m of its €5.5m loan and the wealthy Wessels family is investing ‘millions’ via an investment company, local broadcaster RTV Oost said.

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