Sparta Rotterdam came out strong on June 28, 2026 and beat Telstar 2‑1 in a pre‑season match that gave fans hope for the upcoming Eredivisie campaign. The decisive action came from former Sparta player Jeroen van der Laan, who scored the equaliser in the 68th minute.

How did the match unfold?

Sparta started aggressively and took the lead in the 12th minute through Milan van Ewijk. Telstar responded quickly, equalising via Lars Jansen on 34 minutes. After the break Sparta regained momentum and secured the winning goal through van der Laan, rewarding his former club. The final score was 2‑1, a result the coach Jeroen Rijsdijk described as a "positive signal".

Why does this matter for Sparta Rotterdam?

The win provides a psychological lift as Sparta prepares for its first competitive match against FC Utrecht. The fact that a former player can still make an impact shows the club’s strong network. It also demonstrates that the attack, led by Van Ewijk, is dangerous again. The coach noted that the defence still needs work, given the 62 goals conceded this season.

Who stood out?

Besides van der Laan, Milan van Ewijk and Joris Smeets attracted attention. Van Ewijk delivered a sharp cross that put van der Laan in the right spot. Smeets, who recently arrived from FC Volendam, held the midfield together and gave the side stability. The manager praised their effort and called them "key figures" for the coming months.

What does this mean for the coming period?

Sparta currently sits 10th in the Eredivisie with 43 points (12 W‑7 D‑15 L) and a recent form of LLDLL. With 40 goals scored and 62 conceded, the club trails league leaders PSV Eindhoven by 41 points. The next official fixture is against Telstar at home on January 31, 2027, with Telstar sitting 14th. This friendly shows Sparta is ready to take on that challenge and possibly pick up points in the second half of the season.

What does the future look like?

The club still has two major transfers pending, but the focus remains on tightening the defence. The coach is now working on a more compact setup while the attack already shows promise. Fans can look forward to a tight battle for mid‑table positions, hoping for a better goal difference than -22.

Sparta Rotterdam continues to evolve, and the win over Telstar is a step forward. The club hopes to turn this positive energy into consistent results when the competition officially begins.