FC Utrecht qualified for the final of the European football play-offs on Thursday evening at the expense of Sparta Rotterdam. The Domstedelingen had a tough first half and fell behind through Tobias Lauritsen, after which Ryan Flamingo scored for the 1-1 just before half time. In the second half, Utrecht outclassed Sparta and scored through Sam Lammers and Victor Jensen: 3-1. Utrecht will compete for a Conference League ticket with Go Ahead Eagles in Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday.

Utrecht showed its teeth from the first whistle. For example, Lammers just couldn't reach a cross from Souffian El Karouani and Othman Boussaid twice failed to get a good shot. Sparta slowly but surely fought its way into the match and had a great chance through Koki Saito. The Japanese shot over after a free shooting opportunity on the edge of sixteen.

In the evenly matched first half, Sparta once again had the opportunity to open the score. Pelle Clement swung the ball into the box and saw that Lauritsen's beautiful backheel was barely saved by Vasilis Barkas. The Greek saved his side again a minute later when he catlikely converted Metinho's header.

Sparta still managed to crown its good phase with a goal. Jonathan De Guzmán swung a corner kick in front of the goal, where Lauritsen towered above everything and everyone without too much effort and nodded into the far corner: 0-1. Yet Utrecht managed to level the score before half-time, when Flamingo headed in an excellent cross from Hidde ter Avest: 1-1.

Utrecht started the second half brightly, which was reflected in excellent pressing from Jens Toornstra. The veteran won the ball in the box with a sliding and was unlucky that it did not result in a huge opportunity for a teammate. A dramatic cross pass from Mike Eerdhuijzen then gave possession to Boussaid, who sprinted towards goal and shot into the hands of Nick Olij. The goalie was furious with Eerdhuijzen.

Olij's mood did not improve when Utrecht seemed to take the lead in the 64th minute. Djevencio van der Kust made an unconvincing tackle, giving Lammers the opportunity to pass to the far post. Toornstra laid back to El Karouani, who finished. However, Toornstra was just offside, as it turned out moments later.

Sparta was warned, but did not learn from its mistakes. This time it was Metinho who was shocked by the Utrecht residents and simply surrendered. Lammers received the ball with a bit of luck and convincingly hit the ball into the short corner: 2-1. Sparta was nowhere to be seen at that stage and was lucky that the score remained at only 2-1.

Olij logically went forward in injury time, which gave Jensen a counter goal: 3-1. Mark van der Maarel was allowed to come on in the absolute final phase. It meant his 400th match for FC Utrecht for the defender, who will retire after this season.

Want to always stay informed of the most important football news? Join the Voetbalzone WhatsApp channel now!

More sports news