 Out of the 2 lowest ranked Hoofdklasse teams (numbers 14) and the 5 highest ranked (substitute) period winners (HPWs), 3 more teams are by draw released from playing the first round.The remaining 14 teams are paired by draw in such a way that, a HK or HPW team will always play a lowest ranked (substitute) period winner (LPW), and the highest ranked team gets the home advantage.The ranking order is HPW, HK, middle ranked (substitute) period winner (MPW) and LPW teams.