This article is part of the Guardian’s Euro 2025 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 16 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two teams each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 2 July.
Overview
The Netherlands did not have a smooth journey to the Euros and qualified in the final group game, away against Norway in the coastal town of Bergen. They were 1-0 down until Vivianne Miedema avoided disaster for the coach, Andries Jonker, by scoring an equaliser. They would surely have reached Switzerland via the playoffs but nearly missing out on automatic qualification is a snapshot of where the team are.
The main problem, as for some time, was a lack of punch: in the six group matches they never scored more than one goal. Injuries have played a big part since Jonker took over after a disappointing Euro 2022, and the past year has been no different.
Miedema was coming back from a cruciate ligament injury and suffered a few niggles on the way while Jill Roord and Victoria Pelova also sustained ACL injuries. The Oranje goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, meanwhile, was also forced to miss the important home game against the group winners Italy.
That match began a new era for the side, being the first one after the retirement of Lieke Martens, who had announced she was hanging up her boots the previous month.
Up until the last friendly before the Euros, Jonker had opted for a 5-3-2 (or 3-5-2). It had proved the most successful for him and the team. At the 2023 World Cup he played with wing-backs Esmee Brugtsand Pelova. However, against Finland towards the end of June – with Lineth Beerensteyn injured – he reverted to a more traditional Dutch 4-3-3 and may well start the tournament that way.
There is healthy competition in central defence where Sherida Spitse looks set to lose her place to the teenage sensation Veerle Buurman.
The coach
In January Andries Jonker was told the Dutch FA (KNVB) did not want him to continue after the Euros. Jonker was furious, disappointed and offended, but he would not reveal the reason behind his departure. “That is something the technical director, Nigel de Jong, will have to do,” he said. Jonker has not been keen to make many changes and that has resulted in an ageing squad. The number of players over 30 is significant. However, with a quarter-final at the 2023 World Cup, reaching the semis of the 2024 Nations League and qualifying for Euro 2025, it cannot be said Jonker has failed. Other countries, however, have made more progress in that time.
Star player
For years Miedema was the undisputed Oranje star with Roord, Jackie Groenen and Daniëlle van de Donk just behind her. Lineth Beerensteyn often had to play a supporting role to those players but no longer. In the past two seasons the Netherlands have come to rely on the Wolfsburg player’s goals. She doesn’t score the flashiest goals but finishes with both feet – and her head. She is unpredictable and extremely fast. “I’m getting better at recognising which runs to make and knowing which angle to shoot from,” she said recently. “That is happening more and more.” Was carrying a knock coming into the tournament and may not be fully fit for the first game.
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One to watch
Renate Jansen has been in the squad for what seems like ages but is still not among the best-known players. Maybe because she has never played abroad. A No 10 or a winger, Jansen has been named the Eredivisie MVP on several occasions during spells with Den Haag, Twente and PSV. She has good memories of playing group rivals England, having scored a beauty against the Lionesses in a 2-1 win in September 2023. “Lieke Martens played a beautiful through ball between two opponents. I thought I shouldn’t take a touch so just hit it. It went nicely into the top corner.”
Probable lineup
Status of domestic top flight
Much was expected of the women’s Eredivisie following the outstanding performances of the Orange Lionesses during the Wiegman era but the domestic top flight has been overtaken by the Spanish and Italian leagues. Other countries such as England, France and Germany, were already miles ahead. Most clubs are semi-pro and the minimum requirement for a licence is three players earning at least the minimum wage. The average age of the playing squads is getting lower and most of this squad play abroad. There is some stardust, though, including the USWNT player Lily Yohannes, who plays for Ajax. The average attendance is 1,100 and ESPN has the broadcast rights.
Realistic aim in Switzerland
The knockout stages seem unlikely. The group is hard, including France and England, and the recent heavy defeat against Germany showed how far they have fallen. Too old, no form, and little belief in the manager.
The Netherlands team guide was written by Steven Kooijman for De Telegraaf.
