And more important: what Andries Jonker already predicted was clearly visible to more than 12,500 spectators: Vivianne Miedema is completely back. The eternal top scorer of the Dutch national team screwed the goal counter with two hits to 99. She received those goals as a gift from the gigantic Finnish, but her dribbles on the Leeuwarder Biljartlaken were a feast for the eyes every now and then. The rising form of the player who was missed so badly during the ‘Down Under’ World Cup is a huge boost for Jonker, his girls and Miedema himself of course.
Special Milestone Vivianne Miedema, Jackie Groenen and Dominique Janssen
It was already a special evening for Captain Miedema, since she wore the Oranje-shirt for the 125th time, just like Jackie Groenen and Dominique Janssen. It should go crazy Miedema in Switzerland does not want to achieve another beautiful milestone: her hundredth international goals. A person sometimes has to leave something to be desired.
Swiss football players just before the European Championship humiliated by youth team in ‘Secret’ Duel
Vivianne Miedema marks the 1-0. © ANP/HH
The national coach said not so long ago that it looked like he would finally travel to Switzerland with a completely fit selection, but that was the gods requested. It seems that the European Championship start of 5 July against Wales will come too early for Lineth Beerensteyn, the most productive lioness of the past two years.
Who is a replacement for Lineth Beerensteyn?
And so it was interesting to see with which eleven names the national coach who stands for his last job came up. The ‘Elf van Leeuwarden’ will undoubtedly form the basic team for the opener in Lucerne. That conclusion will also have drawn the spies from Wales.
Instead of choosing a pure attacker as a replacement for Beerensteyn, PSG striker Romée Leuchter for example or Chasity Grant of Aston Villa, Jonker went for safety. Daniëlle van de Donk got a free role in the front, indicated when there had to be pressure and also walked defensively many dirty meters.
Klap will have arrived hard: end of Shanice van de Sanden and Merel van Dongen at Leeuwinnen
Now that Jonker also has the disposal of Victoria Pelova, the player of Champions League winner Arsenal was allowed to show it as a legal hall instead of Wingback, not the most popular position of the velvet technician. Kerstin Casvarij was right back, where she also plays at Manchester City. Like many lionesses found themselves in their trusted positions. The players felt more comfortable with the ancient 4-3-3 than in the sometimes so artificial 5-3-2, a system that is not an option without the speed of Beerensteyn anyway. After the break, Jill Roord, just like Greens for the break, made a goal rejected because of offside.
In injury time, Oona Siren still scored for the Finnish women.