Vitesse Secures First Point with Dramatic 1-1 Draw Against RKC Waalwijk

Vitesse earns first point since return to Pro Football in thrilling draw

Vitesse wins appeal against KNVB, regains professional license, and secures spot in Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

Vitesse's appeal was their last hope to revive their struggling team, which had lost key players and youth academy talents after...

Vitesse has earned its first point since returning to professional football, securing a 1-1 draw against RKC Waalwijk in the Dutch second tier on Tuesday evening. This development comes after the club successfully appealed the revocation of its professional license.

The Arnhem court ruled in favor of Vitesse on September 3, allowing the club to regain its license and participate in the 2025-26 season. This decision marked a significant turnaround for Vitesse, which had faced uncertainty about its future in professional football.

Vitesse's appeal was their last hope to revive their struggling team, which had lost key players and youth academy talents after an unfavorable court ruling. The club, founded 133 years ago, seemed on the brink of collapse. However, they managed to regroup and continue competing.

After a tough start to the season, Vitesse lost 4-0 to Jong AZ in their first Keuken Kampioen Divisie match. But they bounced back with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against RKC Waalwijk, earning their first point of the season. This match marked a small but significant step towards stability for the team.

😍😍 pic.twitter.com/bd3IsYXT4X

— Vitesse (@MijnVitesse) September 16, 2025

RKC Waalwijk took an early lead through Jordi Altena's 11th-minute goal, but Vitesse staged a dramatic comeback in the dying minutes of the match. German defender Marco Schikora headed in a corner kick in the 89th minute, securing a 1-1 draw and earning Vitesse their first point of the season.

The point sees Vitesse move to -11 points in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie standings, having started the season on -12 points due to punishments from the KNVB for financial mismanagement and licensing issues last season. Despite the challenges, Vitesse's resilience and determination have allowed them to earn a crucial point in their bid to overcome adversity.