The big question on Thursday was how the Dutch team would start the match. The Netherlands achieved three victories in the group stage, but Signell’s team had difficulty getting started in those matches. That had to be improved, both the coach and the team thought.
Van Wetering scores 400th international goal
That worked against Tunisia. Defensively and offensively, the Dutch team had things in order and after just over ten minutes of play the team led 9-4. So there was nothing wrong with the Netherlands.
Bo van Wetering scored her 400th goal in the Dutch shirt halfway through the first act. A nice milestone for the left corner player who was doing well anyway. She scored no fewer than nine goals on Thursday evening.
Romee Maarschalkerweerd in action against Tunisia. © Henk Seppen
In the meantime, the Dutch team continued to score happily and the lead continued to expand. Signell decided to take advantage of the situation, make a lot of substitutions and give everyone minutes. Halfway through, the Netherlands went to the dressing room with a carefree score: 22-9.
Invisible video analyst Richard Dik indispensable at the Dutch: ‘Tucked away in the stadium I feel at home’
After the break, the Netherlands continued to score happily. The Tunisian women’s courage continued to sink and it was nice for them when the final whistle sounded after sixty minutes.
Signell: ‘Was easier than expected’
Signell was obviously satisfied afterwards. “To be honest, I expected it to be more difficult for us. So I was a bit surprised, but sometimes on the field it turns out to be less than it seemed on the video. She also missed their best player. At the same time, this was our best first half of the tournament.” Did it feel like a training match at times? “Haha, I don’t necessarily want to say that, but it was easier than expected.”
Signell expects more resistance against Poland. “I even think they can surprise us on a bad day, so I don’t want to underestimate them. It is now becoming increasingly difficult, first Poland and then France.”
The Netherlands in the main round against Poland and world champion France
The Netherlands will be back in action on Saturday evening. Poland will then be waiting in Rotterdam at 8:30 PM. That match should normally not cause any problems for the Dutch team, although the team can expect more opposition than against Tunisia.
The main phase will end against France on Monday. The French women are the current world champions and so that match will be the first real test for the Netherlands. Then Signell’s team really knows where they stand. The best two countries from the main phase, probably France and the Netherlands, will qualify for the quarter-finals on Wednesday, December 10.