Den Bosch, Netherlands – Duinwijck has secured its 29th Dutch National Championship title, prevailing in a dramatic final playoff of the Dutch Badminton Eredivisie. The Haarlem-based team defeated Almere in a nail-biting match decided by a golden game at the Maaspoort in Den Bosch on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
The decisive moment came down to a women’s doubles showdown between Cheryl Seinen and Kirsten de Wit of Almere, and Debora Jille and Alyssa Tirtosentono of Duinwijck. After a tense start that saw Almere accept an early 4-0 lead, Jille and Tirtosentono rallied to secure a 21-12 victory, clinching the championship for Duinwijck.
The final began with a strong showing from Duinwijck, as the duo of Brian Wassink and Ties van der Lecq took the first point of the day in men’s doubles. They overcame a challenging start to defeat Dyon van Wijlick and Alex Vlaar with a score of 11-21, 22-20, and 21-15. However, Almere quickly responded, leveling the score in the women’s doubles. Kirsten de Wit and Cheryl Seinen edged out Meerte Loos and Alyssa Tirtosentono in a closely contested match, winning 21-17, 12-21, and 21-18.
The momentum shifted again as Serbia’s Marija Sudimac put Duinwijck ahead, winning her women’s singles match against Alida Chen with scores of 23-21 and 21-15. Noah Haase then ensured the score remained tied at 2-2, battling to a 21-19 and 23-21 victory over Aram Mahmoud in a thrilling men’s singles contest.
Duinwijck Extends Lead to Two Points
Dutch champion Adith Karthikeyan Priya extended Duinwijck’s lead, securing the third point for his team with a dominant performance against Muhammad Izzuddin Bin Shamsulmuzli, winning 21-7 and 23-21. Former Dutch champion Chloë Mayer further solidified Duinwijck’s advantage, defeating Diede Odijk in three games with a score of 21-18, 17-21, and 21-9, bringing the score to 4-2.
Almere Fights Back in Mixed Doubles
Almere refused to concede, mounting a comeback in the mixed doubles. Dyon van Wijlick and Kirsten de Wit delivered a convincing performance, defeating Brian Wassink and Meerte Loos with a score of 21-10 and 21-9. The tension reached its peak in the final match of the day, where Alex Vlaar and Alida Chen fought back from a deficit to force a deciding game. They ultimately overcame Ties van der Lecq and Debora Jille with a score of 21-9, 15-21, and 23-21, tying the overall score at 4-4 and setting the stage for the golden game.
Jille and Tirtosentono Secure the Title in Golden Game
The golden game, a sudden-death format used to break ties, featured a women’s doubles match between Cheryl Seinen and Kirsten de Wit (Almere) and Debora Jille and Alyssa Tirtosentono (Duinwijck). Despite an initial surge from Almere, Duinwijck’s duo found their rhythm and secured a decisive 21-12 victory, crowning Duinwijck as the 2026 Dutch Badminton champions.
This victory marks Duinwijck’s 29th national title in the history of the competition, solidifying their position as a dominant force in Dutch badminton. The match was a testament to the skill and determination of both teams, providing a thrilling spectacle for fans in attendance and those following the action from afar.
The Dutch Badminton Eredivisie is the highest level of competitive badminton in the Netherlands, featuring eight teams vying for the national championship. The league consists of a regular season followed by a playoff bracket, culminating in the final match.
What’s Next: The focus now shifts to the upcoming season, with teams preparing to compete for the 2027 Dutch Badminton Eredivisie title. Fans can stay updated on the league’s schedule and results through the official Badminton Netherlands website.
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