“After more than 15 years with the Dutch team, the time has come for a new phase,” Polman says in a video together with Abbingh. “We see this tournament, a unique World Cup in our own country, as a great moment to put an end to our time as an international.”
Abbingh agrees: “We have experienced a lot with the Dutch team. From playing in small halls with very few resources, to winning the world title in Japan. I cherish those memories and the friendships immensely.”
Polman is looking forward to playing in front of his own audience one more time: “It’s not over yet. Our focus is now on one dream: winning another World Cup medal, but I can already look back with pride and gratitude.”
Abbingh: “We grew up together in the orange shirt. I already look back with the feeling that we have left something behind and that makes our farewell later, in Ahoy, not sad, but above all very beautiful.”
Abbingh and Polman at the basis of advance
The pair has a wealth of experience with 231 international matches (Abbingh) and 197 international matches (Polman) and was at the basis of the rise of Dutch handball. In 2015, Polman and Abbingh won silver at the World Cup in Denmark, two years later World Cup bronze in Germany and the absolute highlight followed in 2019.
Lois Abbingh feared missing out on the World Cup due to concussion: ‘I noticed that I could barely follow it and became dizzy’
At the World Cup in Japan, the two made history by winning the world title. Both ladies played a large part in that success. Abbingh scored the decisive penalty in the final a few seconds before the end and Polman was named the best player of the tournament.
But now it’s almost been good for the pair. The Dutch team will play its opening match at the World Cup on November 28. Argentina will be the opponent in Rotterdam.