De Graafschap suffered a heavy preseason setback on 1 August 2026 as Eerste Divisie side Excelsior SBV ran out comfortable 5-1 winners in an international club friendly at De Vijverberg. The Rotterdam-based visitors produced a ruthless attacking display, overwhelming the Superboeren in front of their own supporters and sending a clear statement of intent ahead of the new campaign.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Excelsior looked sharper and more decisive in possession. The visitors controlled the tempo, pressing high and forcing De Graafschap into hurried clearances. By the interval, Excelsior had already established a commanding lead, and although the hosts briefly threatened with a goal early in the second half, Excelsior responded immediately to restore order and added further gloss to the scoreline before full-time.

The fixture, scheduled as part of both clubs’ summer preparations, served as a valuable test of squad depth and tactical conditioning. For De Graafschap, the result will be a cause for concern, while Excelsior will take great confidence from a performance that mixed clinical finishing with solid structure.

Key Moments

• Early pressure pays off: Excelsior opened the scoring in the 12th minute after a slick passing move carved open the De Graafschap defence.
• Quickfire double: Two goals in the space of five minutes just before the half-hour mark effectively settled the contest, with Excelsior’s wide forwards exploiting space behind the full-backs.
• A fourth before the break: A well-executed corner routine on 38 minutes gave Excelsior a 4-0 cushion at half-time.
• De Graafschap’s response: The hosts pulled one back shortly after the restart through a well-taken finish after a rare sustained spell of pressure.
• Final scoreline: Excelsior restored their four-goal advantage midway through the second half, rounding off a dominant display.

Tactical Story

Excelsior set up with a fluid front line that consistently dragged De Graafschap’s centre-backs out of position. Their midfielders pushed high, cutting off passing lanes and forcing the home side wide. This aggressive pressing strategy paid off repeatedly, as turnovers in advanced areas led directly to several goals.

De Graafschap attempted to build from the back but struggled to bypass Excelsior’s first line of pressure. When they did find a forward pass, the final ball was often lacking, and the hosts rarely threatened the Excelsior goal until the game had already slipped away. The second-half substitution pattern disrupted the rhythm of the contest, but Excelsior’s superior fitness and organization remained evident throughout.

Standout Players

Excelsior’s attacking unit thrived, with the right-winger causing constant problems with his direct running and intelligent movement. The central striker also impressed, leading the line effectively and finishing his chances with composure. For De Graafschap, the brightest moments came from the substitute forward who scored the consolation goal, offering a small positive in an otherwise forgettable afternoon.

What It Means for Both Teams

For Excelsior SBV, this friendly represents an ideal tune-up. The team looks sharp in possession and ruthless in front of goal, attributes that will serve them well in the competitive season ahead. Head coach will be pleased with the clean structure and the way the squad maintained intensity for long periods.

De Graafschap, meanwhile, will treat the match as a valuable learning experience. Defensive organization and the ability to cope with sustained pressing are areas that clearly require attention before the league season begins. The early stage of preseason is precisely the time to address such issues, and the heavy defeat may prove more useful than a routine victory in highlighting the work that still needs to be done.