Group C: Draw in the summit between “Oranje” and Sweden

High tension in group C! The Netherlands started the European Championship tournament with a 1-1 draw against World Cup third-placed Sweden – although the defending champions had to replace two key players early on at Bramall Lane in Sheffield.

In the eagerly awaited duel between the two top teams, the runner-up world champion had to deal with a heavy mortgage on Saturday evening (July 9th, 2022) in front of Bonds coach Louis van Gaal. In addition to goalkeeper and captain Sari van Veenendaal, defender Aniek Nouwen was injured before the break. Nevertheless, the team of English coach Mark Parsons managed to make up for a 0:1 deficit against the Olympic and world number two.

“We did a good job, kept calm after losing our captain and centre-back,” said Parsons of his team. Sweden’s coach Peter Gerhardsson, who hasn’t lost a game with the “Damlandslaget” in two years, mourned the missed victory. His players did a lot well, but: “We only had one problem: Miedema, we had to double them,” he said, referring to the exceptional Dutch striker, who was honored as “Player of the Match”.

Since Switzerland and Portugal had previously also drawn, all teams in Group C are level before the second matchday. The Netherlands will meet Portugal next Wednesday, while Sweden will face Switzerland.

Shock for the Netherlands – van Veenendaal injured

All three Wolfsburg women in the EURO squad also made it into the starting XI for the Dutch team: attacker Jill Roord and the two defenders Dominique Janssen and Lynn Wilms. The latter was involved in a momentous clash with defender Stefanie van der Gragt and goalkeeper van Veenendaal in the early stages (10′).

The number one and captain of the defending champion apparently suffered a shoulder injury that forced her to retire a little later. Almost in tears, the experienced goalkeeper from PSV Eindhoven gave up her place for Daphne van Domselaar (22nd). The 22-year-old from Twente Enschede had to prove herself on the big stage in what was only her second international match.

Andersson scores after Asllani tunnel

The Dutch women didn’t shake the shock off their clothes easily – and the Swedes took advantage of the moment. Driven by the outstanding Fridolina Rolfö from FC Barcelona, ​​who dictated the pace and distributed the balls, they used their third goal chance to take the lead. Kosovare Asllani tunneled Nouwen on the right attacking side and played the ball across the penalty area. Hammarby IF’s Jonna Andersson, who ran along the far post, pushed in unchallenged from five yards (36′). Van Domselaar didn’t have the slightest chance to defend.

Nouwen also has to leave injured

Things got even worse before the break for the already battered Parsons team, who had a little more possession in the first half but were unable to create a compelling chance. Nouwen was injured when Lina Hurtig landed on her right foot. The Chelsea defender didn’t go any further either. The “Oranje” fans in the stands became increasingly uneasy.

Wolfsburg’s Roord makes it 1-1

That was unfounded, as was shown after the restart. The “Vrouwenelftal” had pulled itself together in the dressing room and went into the second half with renewed confidence. Vivianne Miedema, with 94 goals in 112 international matches actually the photographer on duty, faced up to the responsibility she had taken on with van Veenendaal’s captain’s armband.

The Arsenal striker dropped back and dragged many balls from midfield towards the Swedish penalty area. So also before the 1: 1, which she prepared with a solo on the left side. Actually, the Swedes had already repelled the attack, but then the ball bounced at Roord’s feet in the penalty area. The VfL Wolfsburg striker fired a low shot from the turn to make it 1-1 (52′).

Van Domselaar holds onto the point

The Swedes tried to make up for their technical disadvantages with physical strength. And they now increasingly brought high balls to the inexperienced goalkeeper of the Dutch women. The 22-year-old couldn’t be outsmarted anymore and made a great save against Rolfö (87′). Previously, Roord could have secured the win for the Netherlands, but after a fine pass from Miedema she couldn’t control the ball in a promising position (77′).