FC Groningen started well in the match and came with 2-0 ahead through goals from Yenio Holder and Levi Roeland. Viggo Guit made the equalizer just before halftime. It didn't stay that way. Within five minutes of the restart, it was 2-2 thanks to Giannio Vianello. Sparta became stronger and Guit decided the match a quarter of an hour before time with his second goal. FC Groningen U21 was the league champion and therefore had to play promotion-relegation matches against Sparta. The Rotterdam side were the lowest ranked professional club in the second division. Only two reserve teams of professional clubs are allowed to participate in the second division. Besides Sparta, that is Almere City. FC Groningen will play in the reserve league again next season. Groningen had hoped to promote, as the top amateurs generally have stronger opponents than the reserve teams, which allows the young players to develop better.