It was the match the place the Netherlands have been going to indicate they might survive the group of demise. That they weren't too previous and that Vivianne Miedema and Daniëlle van de Donk might nonetheless shine on the very highest degree.
After which all of it became the Andries Jonker present. At first of the yr the coach was informed that his contract with the Dutch Lionesses wouldn't be prolonged and that he would go away after the European Championship. He was not pleased about it. The 62-year-old made it fairly clear what he thought concerning the choice.
For some time issues appeared to settle down, till Jonker appeared on a podcast two days earlier than the Euros and reopened previous wounds. “It was all good within the first [international] window after I obtained the information,” he mentioned. “Within the final window we performed badly for one and a half of the 2 video games and also you begin to assume … maintain on. Do I nonetheless need to do that? And also you discuss to folks round you and there's nobody round me that claims that I would like to do that. All of them say: ‘You shouldn't do that. Keep at dwelling, allow them to determine it out.'”
The matter escalated additional within the pre-match press convention earlier than the opening sport in opposition to Wales, when a journalist accused him of operating “a puppet present”. The coach responded in livid vogue. “These ladies have given every little thing in 2025,” he mentioned. “And we now have carried out that collectively. You individuals are all right here at present and that is due to us. To those ladies. And you've got the heart to name it a puppet present. In case you assume it's a puppet present, than you're entitled to your opinion [but] you're insulting the gamers.”
Nonetheless, a powerful 3-0 win over Wales adopted and the Netherlands can now safe qualification for the knockout section by beating England on Wednesday. What makes the sport an much more tantalising prospect is the truth that Jonker's substitute can be within the England dugout: Sarina Wiegman's assistant, Arjan Veurink.
The 2 groups skilled wildly contrasting fortunes on the opening weekend of the match. England misplaced to France and seemed unimaginative and sloppy with the ball. For the Netherlands, in the meantime, there have been positives wherever you seemed. Miedema was on the centre of the nice vibes because the gamers loved open coaching in entrance of 700 followers in Thun on Sunday, having scored her one centesimal worldwide purpose in opposition to Wales (in 126 video games).
There was additional excellent news in Wolfsburg's Lineth Beerensteyn making her comeback, having been out since April with an unspecified damage. She got here on for a superb cameo with 19 minutes remaining and almost scored a world-class purpose, nevertheless it was dominated out for offside. The 19-year-old Veerle Buurman was stuffed with confidence throughout her main match debut in central defence subsequent to the skilled Dominique Janssen. Chelsea's Wieke Kaptein is one other teenager whose ardour and combating spirit makes her a power to be reckoned with.
The previous Netherlands worldwide and now TV pundit Tessel Middag was pleasantly shocked be the win over Wales. “I used to be principally impressed by the rotation on the appropriate aspect, with Van de Donk, Jackie Groenen and Victoria Pelova altering positions, leaving room for the right-back Kerstin Casparij to overlap,” she tells Shifting the Goalposts.
However there may be no underestimating of England, says the previous Manchester Metropolis and West Ham United participant. “The Dutch defenders must be alert in any respect time,” she says. “Regardless of shedding in opposition to France the England group continues to be robust, highly effective and so they've obtained a bench with excellent substitutes as nicely.”
The stage is ready for Wednesday's sport. This time, certainly, it will likely be the gamers moderately than Jonker within the lead position.
after publication promotion
Get in contact
In case you have any questions or feedback about any of our newsletters please electronic mail transferring.goalposts@theguardian.com.
That is an extract from our free weekly electronic mail, Shifting the Goalposts. To get the complete version, go to this web page and observe the directions. Shifting the Goalposts is delivered to your inboxes each Tuesday and Thursday.
