Orange Lionesses after goal-rich final phase just not a group winner, France awaits in quarterfinals European Women’s Football Championship

By Tim Reedijk

You wouldn’t say it, but the Orange faltered and leaned today in Sheffield, under the watchful eye of almost 23,000 spectators, also on the inexperienced keeper Daphne van Domselaar (22) of FC Twente. For a long time it was again not convincing what the Orange showed against a less qualitative opponent, without the top scorer Vivianne Miedema still recovering from corona. But the final phase against the Swiss, who had to play all or nothing, was. Two goals from substitute Romée Leuchter and one from Victoria Pelova (both Ajax) made it 4-1.

Van Domselaar made a good save after about fifteen minutes on a long shot by Sandy Maendly. Moments later, the Orange seemed to get a penalty, but the video arbitration withdrew that decision. Pinpricks on both sides, including moments by Jackie Groenen and Lieke Martens, yielded nothing. At halftime, Sweden already led 3-0 against Portugal, which quickly lost sight of the first place in the group stage.

The Orange did not let themselves be stopped and came out of the dressing room well. Just like against Portugal, Stefanie van der Gragt was effective from a corner from Sherida Spitse. Although the goal was scored by the Swiss Ana-Maria Crnogorčević, who outwitted her own keeper in an attempt to eliminate Van der Gragt’s effort.

The Orange Lionesses could not enjoy that lead for long. Géraldine Reuteler was able to take advantage and equalize after weak defense by the Orange in general and Aniek Nouwen. Moments later, Van Domselaar made another important save and Switzerland hit the post. The Swiss had to win to reach the quarterfinals, where the Dutch national team only needed one point.

That was visible on the field. Because Sweden had now reached 4-0, the first place in the group seemed a utopia for the Parsons team for a long time, which therefore had better ensure that it would look a bit more stable in the back than just after the break. Switzerland insisted a little more, but in the end did not hold out. It was a festive evening for substitutes Leuchter, Pelova and Brugts, all talents from the Eredivisie Women.

The Orange ran out to 4-1 in the insane final phase, a convincing score that could have gone even higher, but just not enough to surpass Sweden’s goal difference. As the number two of group C, the great France awaits in the quarterfinals on Saturday evening at 9 p.m. (Dutch time), in the New York Stadium in Rotherham. Sweden will play against the number two from group D in Leigh the evening before. Iceland, Belgium and Italy will determine who will be the last quarter-finalist on Monday evening.