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Jens Toornstra reaches 500 Eredivisie matches with a headed equaliser for Sparta
Jens Toornstra reached 500 Eredivisie matches in Sparta Rotterdam's home game against Ajax on 25 October 2026, heading the equaliser to make it 1-1 shortly before half-time at Het Kasteel.
Sparta Rotterdam midfielder Jens Toornstra, 37, from Ter Aar, started the home match against Ajax at Het Kasteel on 25 October 2026. He walked onto the pitch with his three children and, shortly before half-time, headed Sparta level at 1-1. The source places him as the 11th player to reach 500 Eredivisie matches.
Sander Boschker was the previous player to reach the 500-match mark, in February 2009, and finished his career on 562 matches in 2014. Toornstra had already passed Willem van Hanegem's 494 Eredivisie matches in August. He has played for ADO Den Haag, FC Utrecht, Feyenoord and Sparta Rotterdam, and after 499 league matches he has 91 goals and 83 assists. The article notes that he could also overtake Aad Mansveld, Willy van de Kerkhof and Edward Metgod this season.