He will be in a final for the first time today with the Orange Ladies. In the last match of the European Championship in Mönchengladbach, national coach Raoul Ehren would have liked to have hit his old love Belgium. But it turned out to be different. As with men, the European gold for women will also be divided between the Netherlands and Germany. The biggest question in advance is also the same. Who will be under the bar this time?
The goalkeeper of Anne Veenendaal and Josine Koning is often told. The generation mates, which were born only five days apart, are sentenced to a lifetime of competition under the bar in their top hockey career. Since 2016, when Joyce Sombroek stopped as international, every tournament is the question. What are the similarities between the keepers? Does everyone get the same amount of playing time? And, perhaps even more importantly: who will close the final?
A first goalkeeper must be assigned to the Olympic Games. Only one goalkeeper can be part of the selection of 16 people there. In Tokyo (2021) it fell for Koning, last year Veenendaal was chosen. It is different at the European Championship. Both keepers may be used and exchanged. Ehren too. In the first game with Ireland, the rivals both were given thirty minutes of playing time. Then it became a matter of alternating. Koning held the goal against Germany and in the semi -final against Spain, Veenendaal alone between France.
Ehren never claimed to agree with both goalkeepers to playing time.
So in terms of the number of games, Koning stands in front of us. But what exactly does that say? EHREN – In contrast to the national team coach Jeroen Delmée of men – has never claimed that the playing time between the two goalkeepers would be the same. “Only that they would both be in action in this tournament,” the national coach underlined.
Photo: Willem Vernes
“Nothing has agreed about the final yet,” King replied on Friday, only After the semi -final against Spain. The game where she appeared under the bar throughout the game. ‘I heard the morning before the game that I would play against Spain for sixty minutes. I think it can go anywhere. “Ehren:” I think our opponent should look at both keepers in their preparation. “
In short, the smoking screen is being raised again to the final. A surprising final against Germany. In his heart, Ehren would have preferred to play against Belgium. Logically. He coached the Red Panthers for almost four years, until he left his team for the dream job as a national team coach for ladies at the KNHB last fall. It led to anger and some curved faces among the Belgians. So another reunion would have been both interesting and spicy. But Janneke Schopman and her Germany stopped an end. Germany surprised the Belgians and was the better team after shoot-outs. After sixty minutes it was 1-1.
The Netherlands German twice
Ehren looked at that semi -final of the players hotel in Venlo. With his legs up, as he calls it. Watching Stilly, while his own competition was already in a thousand pieces for him. Divided into 101 game situations. After a glowing speech about a reunion with Belgium, Ehren thought that a competition with Germany also had its benefits. ‘An EC in which the Netherlands-Germany is on the menu twice. Those days are sold out. That is also a bit fun. ‘
Photo: Willem Vernes
Schopman and her employees have undoubtedly also done their analysis. Still have the images of last Monday, of course, When the Dutch defeated the Germans 5-1. They will be extra worried about the corner of Yibbi Jansen, who himself had an extraordinary role against Spain. “I think she pushed three of her five corner kicks,” Ehren said with admiration in his voice.
“We have a nice corner at home,” says Ehren feeling of Understatement. ‘In June we won 11-2 above Spain. Then Yibbi pushed five. Allan to the right of the goalkeeper. Then it is always interesting to see how they will solve that. Well, the keeper was against the goal post. But the first goal entered there. That is her class. She gets it at an insane speed around the outrunner.
Yibbi Jansen in and out again
Ehren is smart about using his superstar. “She gets about three minutes of rest per quarter. Yibbi had just replaced when Spain received a map. It was then 1-1. Hup, Yibbi immediately went back inside. Only for those who were closest, just like a left side. ‘Smiling:’ Immediately afterwards we were on the attack and we had a corner. Yibbi pushes it inside. 2-1. I can enjoy that, such a situation. ‘
In the run -up to the last match, the coach noticed an upward trend with his team. De Brabander saw his team struggling with Ireland. Against Germany, the first half was very convincing, against France, the Dutch had their opponent on their knees after 45 minutes. And on Friday, after that difficult initial phase, a tough Spain was conquered. “We play better and better. Show offensive field hockey, enjoy a lot of pleasure. I am very satisfied with that. We are more than justified in the final.
Photo: Willem Vernes
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