The Netherlands, reigning European champions, launched the defense of their title at the Euro, Saturday in Sheffield, with a valiant draw against Sweden (1-1), another favorite, recovering from a first nightmarish period marked by two worrying injuries.
The coronation contenders’ ball on July 31 at Wembley had held no big surprises so far with initial victories for England, Norway and Germany, among others, and women’s football fans were salivating ahead of the announced clash at Bramall Lane.
If the atmosphere was good in the Sheffield United stadium, filled with 21,342 spectators in orange and yellow jerseys, the meeting between two strongholds of European football took time to come alive.
The Dutch, reigning vice-world champions and European champions, struggled to display their game against the more enterprising Swedish Olympic vice-champions. And their first period turned out to be nightmarish, between the opener quickly conceded (36th) and, above all, two worrying injuries in his back line.
Undecided group
Experienced ‘Oranje’ goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal first had to make way for near-rookie Daphne van Domselaar after just twenty minutes, unable to recover from a blow to her shoulder.
Then it was central defender Aniek Nouwen who left the pitch, supported by the medical staff, after a right ankle injury. She bent under the weight of Swedish striker Lina Hurtig after a duel in the area. Despite these twists of fate, the Netherlands found the mental and physical resources to pick up the score.
Little in sight until then, star striker Vivianne Miedema overflowed on the left side, pressed the Swedish defense and the ball bounced into the feet of Jill Roord, effective against the goal of Hedvig Lindahl (52nd, 1-1).
The four teams in Group C are tied after their first matches, as Switzerland and Portugal drew 2-2 earlier in the day. At the end of the first round, one of the two qualified teams will face the French team in the quarter-finals if Les Bleues, who are launching their tournament on Sunday against Italy, validate their ticket.