De Graafschap Overpower AE Kifisias in Seven-Goal Friendly Thriller

De Graafschap emerged victorious in a pulsating International Club Friendly against Greek side AE Kifisias, winning 4-2 on 25 July 2026. The match, played at De Graafschap's home stadium, provided plenty of entertainment as both teams embraced an attacking approach from the first whistle.

Match Overview

The Dutch Eerste Divisie side started brightly, taking the lead in the 12th minute through forward Joris van der Heijden, who pounced on a defensive miscue to slot home. AE Kifisias responded quickly, equalizing in the 19th minute via a well-placed header from captain Giorgos Papadopoulos. The first half remained end-to-end, and De Graafschap regained the lead just before the break when midfielder Timo Sanders curled a free kick into the top corner.

After halftime, De Graafschap extended their advantage. Winger Milan de Wit made it 3-1 in the 54th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, and substitute striker Lars Beekman added a fourth in the 72nd minute with a composed finish after a rapid counter-attack. AE Kifisias pulled one back through a penalty converted by Alexandros Nikolaidis in the 85th minute, but it proved only a consolation.

Player Highlights

• Joris van der Heijden (De Graafschap): A constant threat, his movement caused problems for the Kifisias defense and he opened the scoring with a poacher's finish.
• Giorgos Papadopoulos (AE Kifisias): The experienced captain led by example with a powerful header and continued to drive his team forward.
• Milan de Wit (De Graafschap): His energy and direct running on the flank were key to stretching the opposition, capped by a fine goal.

What It Means

For De Graafschap, this friendly win showcases their attacking depth as they fine-tune preparations for the upcoming season. AE Kifisias, despite the defeat, demonstrated resilience going forward and will take positives from their ability to create chances against a physically strong opponent. Both sides return to training with clear areas to work on, but the neutrals were treated to an entertaining evening of football.