National coach Mark Parsons of the Dutch football players has selected four Limburg Lionesses for next summer’s European Championship in England.
The four Limburg women are Lieke Martens (Nieuw-Bergen), Dominique Janssen (Horst), Lynn Wilms (Tegelen) and Romée Leuchter (Schinveld).
Two permanent forces are missing
Kika van Es and Shanice van de Sanden are missing in the European Championship selection of Orange. Fenna Kalma, the top scorer of the Eredivisie Women, is also not among the 23 players. Left back Van Es and winger Van de Sanden were permanent employees of the Orange squad at the 2017 European Championship won in their own country and two years later at the World Cup in France, where the Lionesses reached the final. Kalma helped FC Twente to the national title with 33 goals this season.
‘Sleepless nights’
Daniëlle van de Donk is making her comeback with the reigning champion of Europe after a nine-month absence due to a serious injury. Parsons says he has had “sleepless months” because of the choices he had to make. “We have tried to put together the best group, the best team for what will be a great summer. It is a group with a lot of qualities, with a lot of experience in big matches and in big tournaments, and with many players who praise with their clubs this season have caught.”
European Championship selection Orange, keepers: Daphne van Domselaar (FC Twente), Barbara Lorsheyd (ADO The Hague) and Sari van Veenendaal (PSV); Defence: Kerstin Casparij (FC Twente), Caitlin Dijkstra (FC Twente), Merel van Dongen (Atlético Madrid), Stefanie van der Gragt (Ajax), Dominique Janssen (VfL Wolfsburg), Aniek Nouwen (Chelsea), Marisa Olislagers (FC Twente ) and Lynn Wilms (Wolfsburg); Midfield: Danielle van de Donk (Olympique Lyon), Damaris Egurrola (Olympique Lyon), Jackie Groenen (Manchester United), Victoria Pelova (Ajax), Jill Roord (Wolfsburg) and Sherida Spitse (Ajax); attack: Lineth Beerensteyn (Bayern Munich), Esmee Brugts (PSV), Renate Jansen (FC Twente), Romée Leuchter (Ajax), Lieke Martens (FC Barcelona) and Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal).