体坛英语新闻：NEC relegated after twenty years at highest level

THE HAGUE, May 11 (Xinhua) -- NEC Nijmegen was edged out of the Eredivisie on Sunday after 20 years at the highest level in the Netherlands.

In the second round of the promotion/relegation play-offs, NEC was beaten 3-1 at home by second division club Sparta Rotterdam, which already won the first tie 1-0. Roald van Hout, Mimoun Mahi and Steef Nieuwendaal gave Sparta a 3-0 lead at half-time, while Ryan Koolwijk scored for NEC.

In the final matches on May 15 and 18 Sparta will face FC Dordrecht, which defeated VVV-Venlo 2-1 on Sunday, after a 3-1 win in the first encounter. Due to the defeat of VVV and the earlier direct relegation of Roda JC Kerkrade the southern province of Limburg will not have a club in the Eredivisie next season, for the first time in history.

The other play-off final will be played between Excelsior and RKC Waalwijk, which finished 16th in the Eredivisie last season. Excelsior beat FC Den Bosch 2-1 at home after the 3-1 victory in the first leg, while RKC and De Graafschap drew 1-1 on Sunday, following RKC's 1-0 win in the first match.