By Jan-Kees Joosse (17/1/26)
Above: FC Twente and Ajax locked in battle. Photo: Pro Shots NL.
Snow and icy pitches disrupted this weekend’s Eredivisie action. HERA United vs AZ was abandoned halfway through, after earlier cancellations of Utrecht vs Excelsior and Ajax vs NAC due to expected snowfall. In the end, only three matches reached the final whistle.
The toughest conditions were in Eindhoven, where even pitch heating couldn’t withstand the heavy snowfall. Yet PSV’s perseverance in those circumstances showed real maturity in a top clash against surprise package PEC Zwolle.
As the race tightens, it’s time to separate ambition from readiness in the battle for Champions League qualification. The snow may have frozen this round of fixtures, but the race for UWCL football is heating up.
Five teams are pushing for three UWCL qualification places:
FC Twente, Ajax, Feyenoord, PEC Zwolle, and PSV.
Thanks to three years of consistent European performances from FC Twente and Ajax, the Netherlands climbed from ninth to seventh in the UEFA coefficient rankings. As a result, the Eredivisie will have three teams entering the UWCL qualifiers next season.
But which three truly deserve those spots?
Feyenoord
Feyenoord deserve credit for their honesty. After their 1-1 draw against ADO Den Haag on Sunday, head coach Jessica Torny admitted her side is not yet ready to compete for the title. I agree.
They haven’t beaten any of the other title contenders. Two draws against PSV and narrow defeats to Ajax and FC Twente show progress – but mathematically and mentally, you cannot afford dropped points against teams like ADO if you haven’t taken points from direct rivals.
Still, Feyenoord are clearly the best of the rest. Their well-embedded playing style and stability in staffing show promise for a first real European adventure. I can see them doing well in Europe.
However, if they want to survive the qualifiers, they need more quality up front. A clinical finisher like Vivianne Miedema – who has expressed interest in ending her career at Feyenoord – would transform this team. But they cannot rely on something extraordinary happening. They must act decisively in the summer transfer window.
PEC Zwolle
I wouldn’t give PEC Zwolle the benefit of the doubt – yet.
There are simply too many “firsts” to feel secure about European readiness. It’s Gert Peter de Gunst’s first season as a head coach at this level. No player in the squad has experience playing two-legged European ties. The club also lacks a UEFA-approved women’s stadium.
Their results show strong coaching and tremendous potential in a young squad. But mentally, I don’t think they’re ready for Europe. The 3-0 loss to PSV showed the difference in maturity. PSV handled the snow and the pressure; PEC looked like they just wanted the final whistle.
This season should be a foundation. They would be wise to generate transfer revenue and continue building – perhaps literally – so this surge is more than a one-season wonder.
PSV
PSV are making a serious effort to elevate their women’s team. Investment from the men’s side – currently thriving under Peter Bosz – is clearly trickling down.
Experienced signings like Cayman and Shanice van de Sanden add leadership, while the club has also retained key international talents such as Nina Nijstad, Riola Xhemaili, and Chimera Ripa. Keeping players in their early-to-mid twenties signals ambition and financial commitment.
Their European campaign this season has been bumpy – heavy defeats mixed with big wins – but those experiences matter. They’ve built resilience.
The win over PEC Zwolle in extreme weather conditions was telling. Through slippery snow and freezing temperatures, PSV kept their focus on the bigger picture: win today, and Europe comes closer. Xhemaili, Ripa, and Van de Sanden showed a mentality edge over their opponents.
Given the level of investment, PSV owe it to themselves to make Europe count. And this time, not just participate – but succeed.
FC Twente
Despite their 5-1 victory over SC Heerenveen, it was an emotional day for FC Twente.
Jaimy Ravensbergen scored a hat-trick just hours after learning of her grandmother’s passing. With her family in the stands, she dedicated her first goal to her grandmother before running to embrace her parents in tears. She chose to play – no one forced her – and she played to make her grandmother proud.
Teammate Eva Oude Elberink said afterward: “Only Jaimy can do this.”
That moment reflects what FC Twente stands for: winning – and family. Especially within the women’s team, that collective spirit is part of the culture. When they go behind, they respond together. Time and again, they’ve shown they are a force in this league.
Twente are building toward sustained European recognition. The club has spoken about developing experience cycle by cycle, and that progress is visible. If key players like Ravensbergen stay, a knockout-stage run next season feels realistic. This year, they were unlucky in crucial late moments. Next season, those margins could fall their way.
Ajax
Ajax didn’t play this weekend due to weather conditions, but their long-term situation remains crucial.
I was pleased to see they didn’t sell players in the winter transfer window. After losing more than seven key players over recent seasons, stability is essential.
It’s vital they keep striker Danique Tolhoek and midfielder Danique Noordman. Both are in their early twenties and, alongside goalkeeper Regina van Eijk, have been their most consistent performers.
Ajax can no longer rely solely on youth potential to win titles. Those talents must now be the experienced core. If they continue fielding squads filled with teenagers, inconsistency is inevitable. PSV, PEC Zwolle, and Feyenoord are improving and will punish instability.
If Ajax lose Tolhoek and Noordman, I fear a very difficult season ahead – especially given the upward trajectory of PSV and Feyenoord.
Follow Jan for all the news about Dutch Women’s Football on www.fcleeuwinnen.nl.
Follow Impetus on social media –
TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram and Threads: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 