The defending champions the Netherlands are expected to be among the leading contenders once again as the Women’s European Championships get underway in England this summer.
Spearheaded by the brilliant Vivianne Miedema, the Dutch boast plenty of names that will be familiar to WSL fans and are led by an Englishman in Mark Parsons.
Here’s our guide to their chances...
Tournament record
Best finish: Winners (2017)
The Dutch only reached their first Euros in 2009, where they got to the semi-finals on debut, but are enjoying something of a golden age.
Under now England boss Sarina Wiegman, they won the tournament on home soil five years ago and then reached the final of the World Cup on only their second appearances two years later.
The coach: Mark Parsons
As England turned to the Netherlands for inspiration in appointing Wiegman, the Dutch turned to an Englishman for her successor.
Parsons enjoyed success with Chelsea Women’s Reserves but has spent most of the last decade coaching in the US, winning several trophies in charge of NWSL side Portland Thorns before replacing Wiegman following last summer’s Olympics.
Key player: Vivianne Miedema
The Arsenal forward and all-time leading scorer in the WSL is nearing a century of goals for the national team and needs little introduction.
The 25-year-old, who recently signed a new Gunners deal to end speculation over her future, has been the spearhead of this Dutch side’s recent success, scoring twice in the Euro 2017 final and a record-breaking ten times during last summer’s Olympic Games.
Form
The defending champions qualified with ease, winning ten out of ten, but in comparison to some of the other leading contenders, their form has not been standout over the past 12 months.
They have twice been held to draws by the Czech Republic in World Cup qualifying and were beaten 3-1 by France during a mini-tournament back in February.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Daphne van Domselaar (Twente), Barbara Lorsheyd (ADO Den Haag), Sari van Veenendaal (PSV).
Defenders: Kerstin Casparij (Twente), Caitlin Dijkstra (Twente), Merel van Dongen (Atletico Madrid), Stefanie van der Gragt (Ajax), Dominique Janssen (Wolfsburg), Aniek Nouwen (Chelsea), Marisa Olislagers (Twente), Lynn Wilms (Wolfsburg).
Midfielders: Danielle van de Donk (Lyon), Damaris Egurrola (Lyon), Jackie Groenen (Manchester United), Victoria Pelova (Ajax), Jill Roord (Wolfsburg), Sherida Spitse (Ajax).
Forwards: Lineth Beerensteyn (Bayern Munich), Esmee Brugts (PSV), Renate Jansen (Twente), Romee Leuchter (Ajax), Lieke Martens (Barcelona), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal).
Group stage fixtures
- July 9 - Sweden (Bramall Lane - 8pm)
- July 13 - Portugal (Leigh Sports Village, 8pm)
- July 17 - Switzerland (Bramall Lane, 5pm)
