Ajax Win Dutch Title, Enter Champions League Prelim Rounds

Ajax won its 34th Dutch league title, one week after a loss to Tottenham in the Champions League semifinals.

Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur.

(Photo: AP)

Ajax won its 34th Dutch league title on Wednesday, 15 May, one week after a last-minute loss to Tottenham in the Champions League semifinals.

A 4-1 win at struggling De Graafschap secured Ajax's first league title since 2014, three points clear of runner-up PSV Eindhoven which beat visiting Heracles 3-1.

The title had been all-but sealed in Sunday's round of games.

Even as title winner, Ajax must again enter the Champions League qualifying rounds, needing to eliminate two opponents to reach the lucrative group stage.

PSV will start one round earlier, needing to beat three opponents, just as Ajax did last year to get into this season's Champions League.