The Orange women will start their hunt for title prolongation at the European Championship in England on Saturday with a group match against superpower Sweden. Former internationals and analysts Leonne Stentler and Anouk Hoogendijk and former coach Foppe de Haan, who was an assistant at the Netherlands in 2017, are gloomy about the title chances of national coach Mark Parsons’ team. “The tactics just don’t make sense.”
The Orange Women have had a disappointing preparation, with the 5-1 practice defeat against England as the low point. How do you feel about the team?
Stentler: “I notice that there is a positive feeling in the team. I think they can also show good football if they start to believe in it. But so many doubts have been expressed in interviews and reactions after matches… The national coach also received not the best numbers. It looks questionable.”
Hoogendijk: “I have felt for a long time that the Netherlands is not reaching the level of the European Championships in 2017 and the World Cup in 2019. They were shaken up against England. It is perhaps good that that game has been played and that they are very serious about it. I have a bit of hope anyway. It’s such an experienced team. And we have top players who can make the difference.”
De Haan: “I have seen them against Finland and England. A lot still needs to be done if you want to reach the level necessary to perform. best.”
The Orange Women were beaten 5-1 by Sarina Wiegman’s England two weeks ago.
The Orange Women were beaten 5-1 by Sarina Wiegman’s England two weeks ago. Photo: Getty Images
Why is it that the Netherlands is running so slowly?
De Haan: “It mainly has to do with the rear guard. It does not move forward fast enough, so that the distances between the front guard and rear guard are much too large. That is mainly with Aniek Nouwen. I would do it differently anyway. The tactics just aren’t right. Jill Roord and Daniëlle van de Donk play very deep, putting Vivianne Miedema in the striker against five opponents. They make it way too complicated. “
Stentler: “Just before the tournament, Parsons was still practicing scenarios. They just don’t have enough time. Everyone saw that coming a bit. They played World Cup qualifying matches against mediocre opponents, so you still can’t train well what you want Then you have one opponent that you are really going to test it and then you go down with 5-1. That’s not all good.”
Hoogendijk: “It really is a team and the atmosphere seems to be good, that’s usually the problem. It is clear that the defense is not strong and solid. We are really vulnerable in the back. Defenders have to defend first, only then can you think about co-defending. Now attack seems to be the best defense.”
De Haan: “The best thing is if you know what the best team is a few games before the end. It is, as it were, a puzzle that has to fit, but it doesn’t really suit the Orange Women yet. As a national coach, you have to There is a plan, but it now has to do with the organization on the field: who does what and what are the agreements? There is something wrong with it. Whether it is the national coach or the players? makes the lineup.”
National coach Mark Parsons has not yet been able to convince the Orange women.
National coach Mark Parsons has not yet been able to convince the Orange women. Photo: AP
National coach Parsons has not yet been able to convince, partly because in his first months he combined national coaching with a trainer job in America and as a result, among other things, missed a flight to the Netherlands. What impression does he make on you?
Stentler: “He still carries the legacy of his first months with him. He came in as a part-time national coach, as a result of the policy of the KNVB and by saying yes to it himself, and then you don’t make a good impression. “But I know he is a good club coach, he has done a fantastic job in America. Only he doesn’t see the players in the Netherlands every day. He has so little time that I wonder whether such a good club coach can also be a good national coach. “
Hoogendijk: “He makes a very different impression than his predecessor Sarina Wiegman. Sarina would never miss a flight because she has problems with her travel documents. But just because you start out so chaotic doesn’t mean you’re incapable. He does a lot of team building and the players talk a lot with each other. It’s good that you do something completely different for once, because you can’t find a second Sarina. But whether he is?”
European Championship program Orange women
- July 9 in Sheffield: Netherlands-Sweden (9 p.m.)
- July 13 in Leigh: Netherlands-Portugal (9 p.m.)
- July 17 in Sheffield: Switzerland-Netherlands (6 p.m.)
Stentler: “What is good is that he has implemented rejuvenation. He got that on his plate, because Sarina kept postponing it. The fact that young players like Esmee Brugts are now gaining tournament experience is very valuable. He does not shy away from that. And it is also to his credit that Damaris Egurrola has chosen the Netherlands, which was a good move on his part.”
De Haan: “I don’t know the man, I don’t know how good he is either. But I see what I see. He has a lot of trouble discovering who should be in which position. The players are not satisfied with that either. I was the national coach, I would sit down with those women. Then they can really solve it. It can be very easy, as long as you communicate well.”
Hoogendijk: “It quickly becomes clear how good Parsons is. I think he will also be judged at this tournament. It can go very quickly in football, right? Sarina was always very clear: everyone knew where she stood. “It wasn’t always nice to hear, but you didn’t have false hopes. I hope everyone knows their place now. That makes for a good team atmosphere.”
The Orange Women became European champions in their own country in 2017.
The Orange Women became European champions in their own country in 2017. Photo: Getty Images
The key question: will the Orange Women extend their title?
Hoogendijk: “I think the chance is very small. I think that the Netherlands will make it through the group phase. And if they are there in the match against Sweden, you can just go for first place. But if they finish second in the group and likely to meet France in the quarter-finals, it will be very difficult.”
Stentler: “I’m afraid not. There is always a chance, but the playing field is full of good teams. It will be very difficult for the Netherlands. I say against my better judgment that the semi-final should be possible. France can just be against it.” quarter-final trauma. There are really opportunities, but it’s just brittle. They shouldn’t get a dent in their confidence.”
De Haan: “No, I don’t think so. They can still play football well, but you also have to deal with an opponent, who is not sleeping either. The English have become a lot better than at the European Championship in 2017. Swedes have a very mature team and the Spaniards, French and Germans are nice.
Hoogendijk: “It would not be a disaster if we did not become European champions. I think it is very negative in the Netherlands at the moment: if they do not become European champions, the tournament has failed. The Netherlands is still good and still participating, but it is more evenly matched than before. If the Netherlands makes it to the semi-finals, they have done well. That should at least be the goal.”