Telstar bounce back with win over Katwijk after HFC loss
Telstar suffered a painful 3-0 defeat to Koninklijke HFC in the Visserijtoernooi on Saturday, but bounced back later that day with a 2-0 win over Katwijk. The Haarlem-based side ultimately claimed the tournament trophy despite the early setback. Henk Brugge’s side from Velsen-Zuid started the day without several key first-team players and fell behind 3-0 in the opening match, partly due to an own goal by Tycho Groeneveld. In the Eredivisie’s final 2025 table, Telstar finished 16th with 27 points from 30 games (6 wins, 9 draws, 15 losses) and a goal difference of -13 (39 scored, 52 conceded).
What happened in the Visserijtoernooi?
The Visserijtoernooi in Haarlem brought together Telstar, Katwijk and Koninklijke HFC for a three-way battle for the trophy. In the first hour-long match, Telstar lost 3-0 to HFC, but quickly turned things around in the second game against Katwijk. The later fixture ended 2-0 in Telstar’s favor, with goals from Jeff Hardeveld and Rui Mendes. The Haarlem club ultimately lifted the trophy, despite Telstar’s early stumble.
The loss to HFC served as a reality check for Telstar, who entered as the clear Eredivisie favorite. HFC went 3-0 up by half-time, including Tycho Groeneveld’s own goal. Brugge started without several expected starters, but his side showed resilience by dominating Katwijk later in the day.
Why does this revenge win matter for Telstar?
This win over Katwijk highlights Telstar’s bounce-back ability after a tough Eredivisie season (16th with 27 points). Henk Brugge’s side must now prove it can compete at the top level, especially since the club trails league leaders PSV Eindhoven by 47 points. With a goal difference of -13 and recent form of LLWLW, every victory counts toward survival.
For the players, the match was a chance to shine. Jeff Hardeveld and Rui Mendes scored against Katwijk, and their performances could help build confidence in Brugge’s project. The new coach, who started last week, now has his first competitive games under his belt ahead of the Eredivisie opener in two weeks.
What’s next for Telstar in the Eredivisie?
Telstar kicks off the new Eredivisie campaign in two weeks with an away trip to NEC. The side, which narrowly avoided relegation last season, must now build on the lessons from the Visserijtoernooi. The coming months will be pivotal, with fixtures against Sparta Rotterdam (away, 31 January 2027) and other mid-table sides.
Brugge faces an uphill task. His team must quickly adapt to the Eredivisie’s higher intensity, especially with a -13 goal difference and a 47-point gap to PSV. Every point will matter in the crowded mid-table race. The upcoming matches will reveal whether Telstar can rediscover its footing after a disappointing season.
