NEC clinches Champions League spot, Van Schaik celebrates

NEC secured a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, sparking citywide euphoria in Nijmegen. General director Wilco van Schaik expressed disbelief and said the city will not sleep in the coming days.

The Dutch side will begin its European campaign in the early qualifying round, but the club sees a realistic path to the group stage. Van Schaik noted the season's strong performances against quality opponents, including two victories over league champions PSV.

Head coach Dick Schreuder highlighted the squad's resilience, emphasizing that the team maintained its playing style even during tougher periods. He praised the collective effort that kept the group together.

Schreuder described the performance before the break as possibly the best half‑season display in NEC's history, and he told the players the same after the match. He added that achieving a trophy was less important than the way the team handled the season day by day.

Captain Tjaronn Chery was largely speechless after the final whistle, appearing on camera about 45 minutes later. He said the club will enjoy the moment while preparing for the challenges ahead.

The club looks ahead to next season's European fixtures, confident that the experience gained will help them compete at a higher level. The excitement in Nijmegen remains high as NEC prepares for its Champions League journey.