Twente 1-0 Sparta Rotterdam (Twente win 2-1 egg): What Were The Key Talking Points As The Tukkers Punch Their Europa Conference League Ticket?

In what was a nervy affair from the De Grolsch Veste on Sunday afternoon, Twente punched their Europa Conference League ticket as they clinched a 2-1 aggregate victory against Sparta Rotterdam.

Returning to Enschede after snatching a stunning last-gasp equaliser in Rotterdam earlier in the week, it was eventually Joshua Brenet who completed Ron Jans’ European charge as the 29-year-old produced a second-half winner.

Dominating large spells here and a more than worthy winner over both legs, Twente certainly signed off what has been another eye-catching Eredivisie campaign on Sunday afternoon.

While Sparta might have arrived at the De Grolsch Veste desperate to spring what would have been a real upset, De Kasteelheren will be disappointed by a pair of flat performances over the past few days.

On an afternoon when Twente punched a second consecutive Conference League ticket, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday’s second-leg showdown in Enschede.

Twente sign off another domestic romp with a flurry

While Twente might have found themselves in the midst of a public struggle prior to March’s international break, Sunday’s hosts have certainly come roaring back since the final fortnight interval of the season.

Now grabbing back-to-back top-five finishes among Holland’s elite, Jans’ men deserve a host of plaudits for what has been a stellar extended flurry over the past couple of months.

Punching their play-off final ticket earlier in the month as they stormed their way to a rampant 6-1 aggregate victory against Heerenveen, Twente should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high as they head into the summer break.

Appearing to have found some crucial stability under Jans’ over the past two seasons, the Tukkers should now have their sights set on mounting a genuine Conference League charge this time around.

Eventually failing to punch a group stage ticket last season, Twente do appear to be in a far more competitive space and they will take a huge amount of positives from their Eredivisie adventure in 2023.

Hometown success has been the backbone of Twente’s European charge

More than deserving of their 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon and undoubtedly the standout performer during this month’s play-off scrap, a huge part of Twente’s success this season has come thanks to their continued displays on home soil.

Signing off their Eredivisie campaign with a famous performance on May 28th as they claimed a famous 3-1 victory against Dutch icons Ajax, Jans’ squad have certainly gained a reputation for their dominance at the De Grolsch Veste.

In fact, along with breezing to a semi-final second-leg 4-0 win against Heerenveen earlier in the month, Twente have now won each of their previous four top-flight showdowns on home soil by an aggregate score of 12-1.

Showing what has been a remarkable clinical edge in the final third since returning from March’s international break, Twente also suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters throughout the entire 2022/23 campaign.

Turning the De Grolsch Veste into a real fortress this season, Jans’ high-flying squad will simply be looking to extend on that hometown reputation next season.

Rotterdam fall short on their big day

Suffering last-gasp heartbreak when they welcomed Twente to the Het Kasteel earlier in the week, Sparta Rotterdam would have always known that they faced a major uphill struggle on Sunday afternoon.

Although Maurice Steijn’s men might have also gained plenty of praise from across the Eredivisie this season, De Kasteelheren will certainly be disappointed by a pair of flat performances over the past few days.

Heavily outplayed at the De Grolsch Veste here and failing to create any genuine opportunities, Rotterdam will now have to take the summer to reflect of what they had billed as a golden chance.

Billed as a real underdog pick when they arrived in Enschede this weekend, Rotterdam will simply be glad to see the back of a Twente side that certainly appear to have their number.

Including Sunday’s 1-0 defeat, Steijn’s side have now failed to win any of their last eight straight meetings against the Conference League returners – a run that stems all the way back to December 2020.

Match Report

Twente: Unnerstall, Brenet, Pleguzuelo, Propper, Smal, Zerrouki, Brama, Cerny, Valp, Misidjan, Ugalde

Subs: Van Wolfswinkel, Steijn, Kjolo, Hilgers

Sparta Rotterdam: Olij, Sambo, Vrienden, Eerdhuijzen, Meijers, Namli, Verschueren, Kitolano, Van Crooij, Lauritsen, Saito

Subs: Abels, De Guzmanm, Tahiri

Goals: Brenet (53’)

Yellow Cards: Twente: Pleguzuelo, Brama – Sparta Rotterdam: Sambo, Van Crooij

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Danny Makkelie