Ajax faces toughest Europa League draw as Dutch clubs rejoice

On Friday afternoon the Europa League and Conference League draws were made, setting the stage for Dutch clubs in Europe. Jan van Halst, speaking from the studio, declared Ajax’s group to be the toughest, noting the club now faces a daunting path.

Dutch clubs' fortunes

NEC, AZ and FC Twente emerged as the Dutch sides that secured the most favourable outcomes from the draw. The three clubs each received opponents that Jan van Halst described as relatively manageable. Their positions give them a strong chance of progressing beyond the group stage. "En Ajax al helemáál, zo oordeelt Jan van Halst." Ajax’s first opponent is Atalanta, drawn at home in Amsterdam. The remaining fixtures place the Dutch giants away at Midtjylland and Hajduk Split, and at home against Getafe, FC Thun and Sint‑Truiden. The sequence mixes Danish, Spanish, Croatian, Belgian and Swiss opposition.

Van Halst summed up the situation with a striking figure: “Ja, die hebben nu al 14 punten,” he said, referring to the points already amassed by the Dutch clubs. He believes this points tally puts Ajax ahead of its domestic rivals.

He forecast that Ajax will defeat Midtjylland, Getafe, FC Thun and Hajduk Split, suggesting a clean sweep of those four matches.

Contrasting routes see Ajax and FC Twente into Conference League group stage

Conversely, Van Halst expects a disappointing draw against Sint‑Truiden, warning “Veel blessures, slecht weer, een gelijkspelletje.”

The former midfielder added, “Als Ajax moet je dit ook een van de toptargets te maken. Naast het kampioenschap uiteraard, maar om deze prijs te pakken…”, emphasizing that the club’s size and style give it the potential to reach the semi‑finals.

Ajax supporters are especially eager for the home clash with Getafe CF. Van Halst believes revenge is on the cards, stating “Ze kunnen een compilatie maken van die vorige wedstrijd… over my dead body dat dit nog een keer gaat gebeuren.”

Belgian clubs in Europa League pot two vs Conference League

With that confidence, Van Halst concluded that Ajax will head into the knockout phase unbeaten, a sentiment echoed across social media with the hashtag #ZiggoSport.