The hockey players fully enjoy the way in which the third world title in a row was won on Sunday evening in the Spanish Terrassa. After a difficult opening phase, the team of interim national coach Jamilon Mülders convincingly settled with Argentina (3-1).
“Argentina went all out, but that was only a few minutes. After that we were supreme,” said Margot van Geffen over the phone in conversation with NU.nl. “It’s great that we took the title so convincingly and saved the best game for last.”
Outside the opening phase, the Orange hardly ran into problems in the atmospheric Estadi Olímpic de Terrassa, which was sold out for the first time this World Cup. Although there were many Dutch people in the stands, the Argentine fans were especially audible.
“I think it was just the nerves in the first minutes. We have seven girls who were at a World Cup for the first time,” said Van Geffen, who herself was in her third World Cup final and won gold for the third time.
“Then the stadium is full of screaming Argentinians. Something they had never experienced before. It is not surprising then that there are nerves. Fortunately, everyone took it well and we were able to quickly pull the game to us.”
The Netherlands extended the world title in the Spanish Terrassa.
The Netherlands extended the world title in the Spanish Terrassa. Photo: Getty Images
Atmospheric stadium gave ‘great feeling’
Frédérique Matla visibly enjoyed the atmosphere and the victory in Terrassa. “Those Argentinians made a lot of noise, but the Dutch went along well. That gave a great feeling and I can say that we enjoyed it very much as a team,” said the maker of the 2-0 against NU.nl.
There was no question of nerves with Matla. Characteristic was the calm that the attacker kept with her goal. By first controlling the ball to her backhand, the Argentine keeper Belén Succi had no chance on the shot of ‘the ice rabbit’.
“That’s the nickname I got because of the way I approach the first whistle,” Matla responds. “I never really feel competitive and can therefore remain very relaxed, even in a final like this.”