De Zaan complete double celebration as women claim Eredivisie title

ZV De Zaan are the new champions of the Women’s Eredivisie after completing a 2-0 sweep over GZC Donk in the best-of-three final.

A day after winning 17-13 in Gouda, De Zaan finished the job in front of a sold-out crowd at De Slag in Zaandam, defeating Donk 12-8 on Saturday evening to secure the 2025/26 national title.

The victory completed a historic weekend for the club. Two weeks after De Zaan’s men were crowned Dutch champions, the women followed with a title of their own, ensuring both Eredivisie trophies will remain in Zaandam.

De Zaan made a flying start in Game 2. Lois den Ouden opened the scoring from a power play after a fine pass from Maud Koopman, and although Maartje Keuning quickly levelled for Donk, the home side soon took control. Koopman struck from position two, Takyiwa Sam scored from centre-forward, and Bente Rogge finished another extra-player attack to give De Zaan a 4-1 lead after the opening quarter.

Donk briefly responded through Gaby van Dijk early in the second period, but De Zaan continued to stretch the gap. Koopman scored twice more, Nerida Drewes converted a penalty, and Sarah Buis made a series of important saves in goal as the hosts moved into a commanding 7-2 lead. Anouk Vermeulen and Anouk Bergsma kept Donk alive, but Lieke Rogge’s near-post finish helped De Zaan take an 8-4 advantage into halftime.

The third period was tighter and more defensive, but De Zaan remained in control. Koopman finished a counterattack after an excellent pass from Caitlin van Leeuwen, before Kila van der Veen fired in from position two to make it 10-4. Tess van der Meer pulled one back for Donk, but the visitors still trailed by five heading into the final quarter.

Donk continued to fight, with Keuning scoring a fine backhand and Maud Megens and Mirthe Keers also finding the net late on. However, De Zaan held firm. Lieke Rogge scored into the top corner and then converted from five metres to put the title beyond doubt, sealing a 12-8 victory and sparking celebrations in Zaandam.

Koopman led De Zaan with four goals in the decisive match, while Lieke Rogge added three. Keuning scored twice for Donk.

The title had already been placed within reach on Friday evening at the Groenhovenbad, where De Zaan won 17-13 in the opening match of the series. That contest remained level for long spells, with each of the first three periods ending 4-4. Donk even moved three goals clear in the second half, but De Zaan fought back before taking control in the final quarter.

Roline Schuijt top scored for De Zaan in Game 1 with four goals, while Den Ouden and Koopman both added hat-tricks. Keuning was Donk’s leading scorer with four.

With back-to-back wins in Gouda and Zaandam, De Zaan completed a deserved sweep and were crowned Women’s Eredivisie champions for 2025/26.

Women’s Eredivisie final

Game 1 — Friday, 29 May
GZC Donk 13-17 ZV De Zaan
Quarters: 4-4, 4-4, 4-4, 1-5

Game 2 — Saturday, 30 May
ZV De Zaan 12-8 GZC Donk
Quarters: 4-1, 4-3, 2-1, 2-3

ZV De Zaan won the series 2-0.

Homepage

Read more about women’s water polo

Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360  on  Facebook, Instagram  and  X

Water polo news to your inbox

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Waterpolo 360

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading