Groningen against NEC Nijmegen - guide to the season finale at Euroborg
FC Groningen and NEC Nijmegen enter the 33rd round of the Eredivisie with completely different pressures, but with enough motivation for Euroborg to be very lively on Sunday. The home side is in 10th place after 32 rounds with 42 points and is looking for a calm end to the season in front of its fans, while NEC Nijmegen holds 3rd place with 56 points and is defending a position that leads toward European qualifiers. The match is played on 10.05.2026 at 16:45 local time at the Euroborg stadium in Groningen.
For a fan coming to the stadium, this is not just another match near the end of the championship. Groningen has the opportunity to close the home part of the season against an opponent from the very top, and NEC Nijmegen must show that draws and a heavy defeat away at AZ Alkmaar have not damaged the rhythm of Dick Schreuder's team. Tickets for this match are in demand among fans, especially because it is played in a time slot that suits travelers and the home crowd.
What is at stake
NEC Nijmegen is third in the table ahead of this round, behind PSV and Feyenoord, with a record of 15 wins, 11 draws and 6 defeats and a goal difference of 74:50. That explains why every ball has extra weight for the visitors: third place does not bring the title, but it brings a major European reward and a better starting position for the summer. Behind NEC are Ajax and FC Twente, clubs close enough to turn every slip-up into a problem.
Groningen is in a different situation. With 42 points, a goal difference of 45:43 and 10th place, Dick Lukkien's team is not looking toward the bottom of the table in panic, but it is not so high either that it could play the last two rounds without ambition. The home side has the opportunity to finish the season in the upper part of the middle of the standings and confirm that Euroborg remains an unpleasant away trip even for teams fighting for the top.
- FC Groningen: 10th place, 32 matches, 42 points, goal difference 45:43.
- NEC Nijmegen: 3rd place, 32 matches, 56 points, goal difference 74:50.
- NEC has the second-best away ranking of the season according to FotMob data.
- Groningen has scored 8 goals in the last five matches.
- NEC has scored 6 goals in the last five matches.
Form: Groningen seeks a reaction, NEC seeks a win
Groningen's form in the last five rounds has plenty of contrasts. The 2:0 wins away at Telstar and 3:0 against AZ Alkmaar show that Lukkien's team knows how to play maturely and efficiently, but the 2:3 defeat to Excelsior and 1:3 away at Feyenoord are reminders that matches can quickly get away from them if they lose control in midfield. The 0:0 draw against Go Ahead Eagles at least provided defensive calm, but against NEC they will probably need more than closing down space.
NEC Nijmegen is in a run that looks stable on paper, but not ideal for a club protecting third place. In its last five league appearances, it recorded a 2:0 win away at Excelsior, 1:1 draws against Feyenoord, FC Twente and Telstar, and a heavy 1:5 defeat away at AZ Alkmaar. It is the picture of a team that still scores, but in recent weeks has missed several opportunities to distance its pursuers with victories.
- Groningen 2:3 Excelsior
- Feyenoord 3:1 Groningen
- Groningen 0:0 Go Ahead Eagles
- Telstar 0:2 Groningen
- Groningen 3:0 AZ Alkmaar
- NEC Nijmegen 1:1 Telstar
- FC Twente 1:1 NEC Nijmegen
- AZ Alkmaar 5:1 NEC Nijmegen
- NEC Nijmegen 1:1 Feyenoord
- Excelsior 0:2 NEC Nijmegen
Key players in Groningen's match
At Groningen, the attacking story most often revolves around Thom van Bergen and Younes Taha. Van Bergen is the team's leading scorer in the league season, and FotMob lists him on 9 goals. Taha is a player who can open up a block with a final pass, a change of rhythm or a run between the lines; the same source states that he has created 17 big chances, the most in the team. If NEC leaves too much space between full-back and centre-back, Taha is the first candidate to punish it.
Brynjólfur Willumsson is another name the home side needs on a good day. His physical presence and runs into the final phase give Groningen a different type of threat than a pure attacking sprint. Jorg Schreuders and Marco Rente are important for balance, especially because NEC will try to keep the ball for long spells and force the home side into lateral shifting. Groningen does not need to have more possession to be dangerous, but it must be precise in the first passes after winning the ball.
At NEC, the breadth of the attack stands out. Bryan Linssen, Tjaronn Chery and Koki Ogawa bring experience, movement and finishing, while Danilo gives an additional option up front. Transfermarkt data for NEC lists Linssen as the top scorer with 11 goals and 8 assists, Chery with 9 goals and 6 assists, and Ogawa with 8 goals. That explains why NEC is not a team that depends on one scorer.
Chery is especially important for the tempo of the match. He can slow the rhythm, set his body 20 to 25 meters from goal and with one touch move the ball toward the striker. Ogawa is more of a finishing player, someone who looks for space between the centre-backs and reacts to crosses or loose balls. Linssen is useful because he does not just wait in the penalty area; he often drops out and opens corridors for midfielders to run into.
Absences and squad
According to FotMob's preview, Groningen has several important unavailable players for this match: Hidde Jurjus, Oskar Zawada, Stije Resink and Mark Hoekstra are listed as injured. Resink's absence particularly changes the picture of midfield because he is one of Groningen's best-rated players of the season, while Zawada would give the home side additional height and an option for more direct football.
NEC Nijmegen also has problems. Başar Önal and Freek Entius are listed as unavailable because of injuries. Önal's absence is significant because he has contributed to goals and assists during the season and gives width to the attack. For Schreuder, this means he will have to carefully distribute minutes between Chery, Linssen, Ogawa, Danilo and the other offensive options.
- FC Groningen without: Hidde Jurjus, Oskar Zawada, Stije Resink, Mark Hoekstra.
- NEC Nijmegen without: Başar Önal, Freek Entius.
- Groningen without Resink loses an important part of its midfield dynamics.
- NEC without Önal is left without width and directness on one offensive side.
Tactical expectations
Groningen will probably look for a balance between compactness and quick exits in front of its fans. Against NEC, it is not wise to open up too much space behind the midfield line, because the visitors have enough players who can receive the ball between the lines and immediately turn the attack toward goal. The first duels after losing the ball will therefore be important for the home side, especially on the flanks.
NEC Nijmegen under Dick Schreuder likes active play with the ball and searching for overloads through combinations in the middle. When Chery has time to turn, the visitors can quickly switch sides and attack the space behind the full-back. Groningen's task will be to cut off that first pass toward the creative players and force NEC into slower attacks from the wide areas, where the home centre-backs can read crosses more easily.
One detail is worth watching from the first minute: how Groningen defends the second ball after clearances or longer passes. If the home side is late there, NEC will get waves of attacks. If Groningen wins enough of those balls, Taha and Van Bergen can attack space before the visiting defense is set. This is the type of match in which one precise pass after a turnover can be worth as much as a long phase of possession.
Head-to-head record and psychology of the duel
FotMob lists the overall head-to-head record in which NEC Nijmegen has 10 wins, FC Groningen 6 wins, and 6 matches ended in a draw. The same source highlights that these two clubs have not drawn in the last four head-to-head meetings. That does not mean the trend will continue, but it gives an interesting psychological frame: when the match opens up, it often goes toward one side.
For Groningen, the home ground is important. Euroborg is compact enough for the crowd's reaction to reach the pitch quickly, and the short distance from the stands to the field gives the match a feeling of closeness. NEC, on the other hand, arrives as the higher-ranked team and will not want to play like a visitor that only waits for a mistake. It is precisely that clash between the home side's ambition and the visitor's pressure that can make the match open.
Euroborg: a stadium that suits this kind of match
Euroborg is located at Boumaboulevard 41 in Groningen. Visit Groningen lists a capacity of 22,550 seats, and describes the stadium as one of the city's recognizable landmarks alongside Martinitoren, Groninger Museum and Gasunie Building. The stadium has two tiers, and its architecture and green stands give it a very recognizable visual identity.
For fans, the fact that the stadium is not isolated far from the city is especially important. Groningen Europapark railway station is nearby, and public transport is the most practical choice for those coming from the center or the main station. Seats in the stands disappear quickly, so it is worth planning an earlier arrival and not leaving stadium entry to the final minutes.
- Stadium: Euroborg.
- Address: Boumaboulevard 41, Groningen.
- Capacity: around 22,550 seats according to Visit Groningen.
- Surface: natural grass according to FotMob data.
- Nearest railway point: Groningen Europapark, around 200 meters from the stadium according to available guides.
How to get there and what to plan before the match
Fans arriving by train can use Groningen Europapark, which is a practical solution because it reduces the need to drive through traffic around the stadium. For those who nevertheless arrive by car, FC Groningen states in its route and parking information that fans on matchday are in many cases directed toward the P5 Hanos car park on Bornholmstraat. Since the traffic system can change depending on the match, it is best to leave earlier.
Groningen is a city where a lot can be done on foot or by bicycle. Travelers who arrive earlier can combine the match with a short tour of the center, especially around the canals, Grote Markt square and the Martinitoren tower. From the center to the stadium area, public transport is more practical than searching for a parking space at the last moment.
- For arrival by public transport, aim for Groningen Europapark and a short walk to the stadium.
- If you arrive by car, follow local signs for parking areas around Euroborg.
- For home fans, P5 Hanos on Bornholmstraat is often mentioned.
- Arrive earlier because traffic around the stadium increases before the start of the match.
- The exact opening time of the entrances is checked through organizational notices for matchday.
The atmosphere fans can expect
Euroborg is often heard at its best when Groningen has an opponent arriving with a clear goal. NEC Nijmegen comes as the third-placed team, which gives the home crowd extra motivation: bringing down a club from the top on your own ground always has special weight. If Groningen starts the first 15 minutes well, the stadium will very quickly increase the pressure on the visitors.
The visiting NEC fans have a short and clear reason for the trip: their team is playing one of the most important seasons of recent years. The draw away at FC Twente and the draw against Feyenoord showed that NEC can handle strong opponents, but the match in Groningen demands more than an impression. It needs a result. It is worth securing tickets on time because the combination of the season finale, a Sunday time slot and the battle for the top of the standings is very attractive.
What to pay special attention to
The first detail is Groningen's left and right transition. If Taha receives the ball facing goal, NEC will have to close the depth quickly. The second detail is NEC's control of the space in front of the home defense. Chery can dictate the rhythm there, but only if Groningen does not force him to play with his back to goal.
The third detail is set pieces. Groningen without Zawada loses part of its height, but Euroborg often rewards a team that aggressively attacks the second ball after a corner or free kick. NEC has several different scorers and can be dangerous from half-chances, especially if the ball rebounds toward the edge of the penalty area. In a match where both sides have a concrete goal, a set piece can be the fastest path to an advantage.
The wider context of the Eredivisie finale
PSV is at the top of the table, Feyenoord holds second place, and NEC Nijmegen is trying to stay immediately behind them. That is an extremely demanding position because third place carries a major reward, but also constant pressure. Ajax and FC Twente are waiting for every wrong step. For NEC, the away match in Groningen is therefore one of those matches that can push the season grade toward very good or toward a nervous finish.
Groningen, meanwhile, has the opportunity to show that its season is not just a calm collection of points. The 3:0 win over AZ Alkmaar has already shown that the home side can hurt stronger teams. If it repeats that kind of energy, Euroborg can get a match in which the home fans feel like an active part of the game, not just scenery.
Ticket sales for this match are underway, and the interest is understandable: the home side wants the finale in front of full stands, the visitor is defending third place, and the stadium is accessible enough to attract neutral Eredivisie lovers as well. Whoever comes to Groningen should count on a match with many tactical details, but also enough individual quality for the meeting to be decided by one move.
Sources:
- Sofascore - data on the match time, stadium, team standings and basic description of the Groningen - NEC Nijmegen match were used.
- ESPN - the Eredivisie 2025/2026 table after 32 rounds was used, including points, goal difference and club positions.
- FotMob - data on recent match form, absences, H2H record, stadium, capacity, surface and individual statistical highlights were used.
- Transfermarkt - data on squads, coaches and the performance of key NEC Nijmegen players were used.
- FootballSquads - data on the squad and coaches of FC Groningen and NEC Nijmegen for the 2025/2026 season were used.
- Visit Groningen - data on the Euroborg stadium, address, capacity and city context were used.
- FC Groningen route & parking - practical information on arrival and parking at Euroborg was used.