The Netherlands are about to enter Euro 2022 but all is not as it should be as far as the holders are concerned. The team that swept to the trophy five years ago on home soil amid fanatic support have been on a bumpy ride over the past few weeks and face Sweden, one of the tournament favourites, at Bramall Lane on Saturday tonight.
Two weeks ago the Orange Lionesses lost 5-1 to England – their biggest defeat in 11 years. The game, and especially the second half, was a reality check for the players and the head coach, Mark Parsons, the English manager who took over from Sarina Wiegman last year. The Netherlands had no response to England’s power and the match turned into a procession. “I should have intervened and I didn’t, so it’s not their fault,” Parsons said after the chastening defeat.
