Die Haghe started 2026 with a real cracker in Wateringen against Valto, the number three of the Hoofdklasse B. Both teams were tense with tension and that resulted in a wonderful match: high tempo, many goals and plenty of fight. In that spectacle, Die Haghe turned out to be slightly better across the board.
Valto brutally took a 2–0 lead, but Tijn Korving had his sights set and quickly leveled the score. In the first phase, every ball seemed to disappear from his hand towards the basket. Die Haghe took over the initiative and stayed on the right side of the score for the entire first half. With a small lead from The Hague (13-14), both teams went to the dressing room.
After the break it remained a nail-biter. Valto came back to 15-15, but Die Haghe remained calm and sharp. At 17–19 the Canaries brought their secret weapon: Celeste Split came in and did exactly what she was brought in to do — two attacks, two goals. That made the difference. Eva Korporal then came back into the field to put things in order defensively, and Valto was no longer given any room to really push through.
It remained exciting in the final phase, but Die Haghe gave nothing away and played the match maturely. With 22-25, a wonderful, exciting and attacking match went to the Canaries.
A statement at the resumption of the competition and a victory that shows that Die Haghe will fully compete for prizes in 2026. 💛🖤
Foto’s Richard Split
