“Recently I have had many conversations with my family, friends, my management and with Arjan (national coach Veurink, ed.),” says Spitse. “We have weighed everything together and when I listen to my heart, I feel that it is time to let go,” says Spitse. “The Dutch national team was my life and besides the fact that it brought me a lot, I also had to make sacrifices for years. I did it with love, but now I choose something different. I choose for my children and for a new chapter in my life where I want to develop as a trainer.”
European record international
Spitse made his debut in 2006, at the age of 16, in a World Cup qualifier against England. In the years that followed, she became a figurehead of women’s football. During her international career, Spitse played at five European Championships and three World Cups. At her first European Championships, in 2009, she won a bronze medal and in 2017 she was one of the driving forces in winning the European Championship in her own country. Two years later she won silver with the Dutch team at the World Cup in France. With her 247 international matches, Spitse is not only the record holder in the Netherlands, but also the player in Europe with the most international matches.
“We are saying goodbye to an icon. Sherida, with her impressive international career, was one of the foundations for the growth of women’s football in the Netherlands. I therefore have enormous respect for Sherida. We have experienced great successes together and have always enjoyed working together,” says national coach Veurink.
Farewell match in Nijmegen
The Dutch team will play two practice matches in October. The away match against Poland is scheduled for Friday, October 24. Arjan Veurink’s team will then play the home game against Canada on Tuesday, October 28 in Nijmegen. During that match, Sherida Spitse will say goodbye to the Dutch national team and the Oranje fans.
Veurink: “Sherida has meant a lot to women’s football in the Netherlands. In addition, as captain, she was one of the leaders of the Dutch national team for many years. A player with her track record should say goodbye to the fans and to the Dutch team on the field.”
The selection for the international matches against Poland and Canada will be announced on Tuesday afternoon, October 14. Spitse will join the Dutch team after the international match against Poland, in the run-up to the match against Canada. Spitse: “The Oranje fans have given my career color. We have experienced unforgettable moments together. I look forward to wearing the Oranje shirt one more time, singing the Wilhelmus together and saying goodbye to those fantastic fans.”