“This was our best match so far,” a satisfied Kelly Dulfer analyzed afterwards. “We told each other beforehand that this is the match in which we had to do it in order not to let it depend on the match against France. Then it gives a good feeling that we played well from the start. The coverage was also good, so we got into the game well and we were able to control the game from the start.”
Swedish national coach Henrik Signell of Dutch handball players: ‘I can’t come home without stroopwafels’
Dulfer beamed from ear to ear when she remembered the audience. “I was a bit more critical in the first match haha. Then I shouted that the audience should make itself heard more, but since then it has been a real pleasure. It gives us extra energy. If we don’t score for a few minutes, we immediately hear ‘Holland, Holland, Holland’. It sometimes feels like Friends of Amstel Live here.”
Signell announced before the match against Poland that he was careful not to underestimate. “If we have a bad day, they can easily beat us. I am really convinced of that,” he said cautiously.
Last Thursday against Tunisia there were many empty seats, but against Poland Ahoy was full again and the crowd turned it into a real celebration from the first minute in the South Holland port city.
Henrik Signell looks on approvingly
It gave our compatriots wings, because the Netherlands quickly took the lead 5-1. Reason enough for Poland’s national coach to intervene after seven minutes and request a time-out. But no matter what the Polish women tried, they could not get a grip on the Netherlands’ game. Halfway through, the Dutch team went to the locker room with an 18-11 lead.
Signell watched approvingly from the side. He too can only conclude that his team is growing in the tournament and playing better and better. While the Dutch team started the first group matches somewhat doubtfully, that uncertainty seems to be disappearing more and more from the team.
It is sometimes still a bit erratic, but the Netherlands certainly plays with much more self-confidence. The Poles also experienced this. In the second half, the Netherlands only ran further away. That is a reassuring thought, because Signell also knows that the opponents are now getting better.
Monday clash with the world champion
The Dutch team will close the main phase against France on Monday evening. Even though the Dutch team has already progressed, the match against the current world champion will be important. In any case, it is a good indicator for our compatriots, because where exactly do they stand? They will receive an answer to that on Monday evening.
Romée Maarschalkerweerd and sister Britt shared a handball dream: ‘We are now finishing the journey together in a different way’
In addition, the Netherlands and France will decide who will be the group winner and will therefore have an ‘easier’ quarter-final. The number one crosses with the number two from the other group. There is a good chance that the Dutch team will meet either Denmark or Hungary in the quarter-finals.