2001–02 KNVB Cup  The 84th edition of the KNVB Cup (at the time called "Amstel Cup") started on 4 August 2001. The final was played on 12 May 2002: Ajax beat Utrecht 3–2 and received the cup for the fifteenth time. A total of 86 clubs participated. The matches of the group stage were played between August 4 and 22 2001. 78 teams played a total of 114 matches, 38 teams progressed to the next round. E Eredivisie; 1 Eerste Divisie; A Amateur teams  The matches of the first round were played on September 18, 19 and 20 2001. sc Heerenveen and RKC Waalwijk entered the tournament this round. During the group stage, they were still active in the Intertoto Cup. E two Eredivisie entrants  The matches of the second round were played between October 23 and November 6, 2001. The matches of the round of 16 were played on December 11 and 12 2001. The six Eredivisie teams that had been playing in European competitions after qualification last season, entered the tournament this round. E six Eredivisie entrants  The matches of the quarter finals were played on January 31 and February 7, 2002. The matches of the semi-finals were played on March 29 and April 10, 2002. Ajax was granted a life line by a late offside goal by Wamberto sending the game into extra time, the linesman later admitting the mistake saying he had a black out. Ajax also won the Dutch Eredivisie championship, thereby taking the double. They would participate in the Champions League, so finalists FC Utrecht could play in the UEFA Cup.