Dutch Championship. Eredivisie Women
The Eredivisie Women is the top tier of women's club football in the Netherlands, featuring the country's elite teams vying for the national title. It showcases technically proficient and tactically astute squads aiming for domestic supremacy and European glory.
History and foundation
Launched in 2007 as the BeNe League with Belgium, it became a national competition in 2012 under Eredivisie Vrouwen. Reformed in 2015 for greater depth, Ajax Amsterdam has claimed four straight titles through 2023. A milestone was PSV Eindhoven's 2022 Champions League quarterfinal run. Notably, Lieke Martens scored over 100 goals for AZ in the 2010s, highlighting the league's role in nurturing stars.
Tournament format
Twelve teams play a 22-match double round-robin season. The regular season winner takes the title, while 7th-12th fight in playoffs for survival. Since 2023, top-four teams enter playoffs for Champions League spots.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.2 goals, favoring open play. All-time top scorer Lieke Martens (126 for AZ/Ajax). Standouts include Vivianne Miedema (2019 World Cup winner), Shanice van de Sanden (Ajax), and Lindsey De Witt (PSV). The league launched Jill Roord, now at Barcelona, and talents like Jessica Fishlock.