NOS Voetbal•dinsdag, 22:08
Watch the summary of the European Championship qualifying match Norway-Netherlands
Emotions ran high among the players of the Dutch national team on Tuesday evening, following the 1-1 draw in Norway and qualification for the European Championship next summer. There were tears in the eyes of captain Sherida Spitse and top scorer Vivianne Miedema.
“After all the setbacks, it is all the more wonderful that she now scores the goal,” said Spitse regarding Miedema, who shot the Dutch team to the final round in Switzerland.
Back from cruciate ligament injury
Miedema has been recovering from a cruciate ligament injury for the past year and a half. Last Friday, the striker played ninety minutes for the first time in a long time once morest Italy and on Tuesday she was important with the 1-1.
In September 2022, she last scored for the Dutch national team. “This goal is very special. I have been working towards this period for a long time and I think I can be proud of myself,” Miedema said followingwards.
Watch the emotional reactions of Miedema and Spitse here:
Spitse agrees. “I think it’s so beautiful that Vivianne is making it. She worked really hard for it. I don’t know how hard it is, but if you want to come back from something like that and then also have to deal with setbacks, it’s even more beautiful that she’s making it now.”
‘It hasn’t been easy for us’
But the emotions run deeper, as Spitse shows. “The injuries are the story of the past year. It just didn’t stop. Miedema, Jill Roord, Victoria Pelova.”
They all tore their cruciate ligaments, following which they were unable to play and were hardly of any value in the European Championship qualifying periods. Without these players, Oranje had a hard time and only won two of the six matches. Only four goals were scored in six European Championship qualifying matches. Oranje finished second in the group, behind Italy.
Watch the reactions of Andries Jonker and Jackie Groenen here:
“Of course you want to be first, but following everything we’ve been through, coming second is also good. It hasn’t been easy for us, but a lot is expected of us. We’ve certainly fought really hard, also for the players who are at home,” says Spitse.
Jackie Groenen clarifies the words of her captain. “It is often forgotten that we had a lot of injuries. The young girls have to step up, but that is not so obvious. You do see talent coming through, but that also takes time.”
‘It is Dutch to be critical’
Miedema therefore does not find it surprising that the football at Oranje was not always that good.
“There are many girls who haven’t even had a holiday yet. I also come from far with injuries. It is very special that I have been able to be on the field for two matches. Of course we can do better, but it is also Dutch to be critical. We can now just enjoy the qualification.”
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The striker, who recently signed for Manchester City, certainly does. “We have to realize that we are not playing matches once morest easy countries. Norway and Italy have been at the top for years. We now have a year to work towards the European Championship and there is certainly enough quality on the pitch.”
Jonker understands emotions
National coach Andries Jonker understands that so many emotions are released by the players. “Some belong to the ‘golden generation’ and are now approaching the end of their careers. They have in their minds that they want to be there one more time. They mainly remember a lot of success and little disappointment. They can now go to a major tournament one more time and perhaps win one more time.”
