New season, new chances: the greatest cup upsets in the Netherlands

Feature on Dutch Cup's greatest upsets, from Ajax's record 0-9 loss to AZ to amateur sides Hercules, Quick Boys and Spakenburg eliminating top-flight clubs.

The Dutch Cup has produced numerous fairytale moments since its founding 127 years ago, with Ajax's shock defeats standing out as the most dramatic. The Amsterdammers suffered their worst cup loss in the professional era when they lost 0-9 to AZ in Alkmaar under coach Fred Grim, equalling their heaviest defeat in any competition—a 6-0 loss to Feyenoord two years earlier.

Amateur sides have also written themselves into Cup history. Hercules, a third-division club, became the first amateur team ever to eliminate Ajax in the competition, ending a 29-match unbeaten run. Quick Boys from Katwijk made headlines in the 2024/25 season by knocking out three Eredivisie clubs in succession, including a dramatic quarter-final win over Heerenveen where substitute keeper Andries Noppert's late penalty concession forced extra time before Levi van Duijn sealed the upset.

Other amateur clubs have reached the semi-finals: SV Spakenburg beat FC Utrecht 1-4 away last season, while VV Sint Bavo reached the last four in 2015/16, with Maikey Parami scoring the winner against FC Den Bosch in the 87th minute.