Latest news with #Oranje
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ireland confident ahead of must-win duel with France
Ireland lost 2-0 to the Netherlands in Monchengladbach on Saturday in a match where goalkeeper Lizzy Murphy admitted 'all 18 girls put [their] bodies on the line and they absolutely killed it out there.' Murphy, the 25-year-old Loreto stopper, was the standout player against the Dutch after a procession of fine saves from constant Oranje circle penetration. After four successive defeats since the 2018 World Cup final, this was the closest an Irish team has got to threatening a result against the Dutch. Murphy said: 'We were such a unit and it just felt we were so connected on the pitch. Everybody knew what they had to do and we knew going up against the world No 1 was going to be some defensive battle.' Ireland now face world No 19 France, a team eight places below them in the rankings. The French headed into the Euros having won 12 of their previous matches since the Paris Olympics, but lost their opening game against hosts Germany 4-1. Having leaked only two goals against the Dutch, a healthy win against France could now prove pivotal in Ireland's final pool game against Germany on Wednesday. 'We go in now in a strong position against France which is just class,' said Murphy. 'In the Europeans, we've been on the wrong end of goal difference a few too many times and anything can happen at a European A division.' Ireland head into the French encounter having won all seven previous matches since 2012, with a combined 47 goals. Ireland captain Sarah Hawkshaw said: 'We want to get more out of opportunities on the ball, be more patient, build in attack and grow into the game a little bit more.'
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ireland keen for another crack at World No.1 Netherlands
Ireland women face the toughest test in world hockey when they take on world No.1 side the Netherlands on Saturday afternoon in their EuroHockey Championship opener. The Dutch are unbeaten in this event for 10 years and will become the first nation, male or female, to win five EuroHockey titles in a row should they claim gold next Sunday in Monchengladbach. Since losing the 2018 World Cup final, Ireland have now played the Oranje in every major tournament bar the 2023 EuroHockey. 'For years we didn't get to play the Dutch in the way fixtures worked out or in any Test series,' said Katie Mullan, who will be playing her sixth EuroHockey campaign. 'It's those games where we have grown a lot. In some aspects of our game we get closer every time and you always want to play the best and the ability to have a go.' Ireland also face France and then hosts Germany in their final pool game on Wednesday, which is likely to be a straight shoot-out for a last-four berth. The Green Army have finished fifth twice in their last three appearances. With five of the world's top eight nations competing, 11th-ranked Ireland will have their work cut out to reach the semi-finals for the first time ahead of a first appearance in next season's FIH Pro League. This summer, coach Gareth Grundie has given Ireland plenty of matches to fine-tune this side. Since June, they have played against USA, the Dutch under-21s in Dublin, away to Czech Republic and Belgium and at home against Spain last week. 'We haven't broken the back of the Europeans yet,' said Mullan. 'It's by far the hardest continent as you have so many good teams, so making the semi-finals would be huge for us. 'It's performance after performance and there are two things you want to do at an international tournament: to play the best team and play the hosts. 'To play Germany next Wednesday night will be one of those ones you will never forget. It is one of those spectacle games you strive to get up for.' Sarah Hawkshaw will captain Ireland in her first major tournament since taking over from Mullan, 31, after the Paris Olympics. Hawkshaw is joined by four teammates from her Belgian club Braxgata, including experienced defender Roisin Upton. Belfast Harlequins' Katie Larmour will be the least experienced Irish player when she lines up alongside Upton in the back lines. 'She is a very mature athlete, level-headed and really reliable at the back,' added Mullan. 'You will see the raw Irish mentality in her and her stability means we rely on her, even though she has one cap.'
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
VIDEO: Vivianne Miedema hits incredible landmark for Netherlands at Euro 2025 with stunning strike against Wales
Netherlands beat Wales 3-0 Opened the scoring in the first half It was her 100th strike in Dutch colours WHAT HAPPENED? Wearing the captain's armband for the evening, Miedema led from the front. With the match locked in a stalemate heading into half-time, the Dutch forward found just enough space at the top of the box to unleash a shot that rippled into the net, giving her side a vital breakthrough. The goal not only helped the Netherlands take command of the match but also marked a moment of personal triumph for the 28-year-old, who has long been a pillar of Oranje's success. Advertisement WATCH THE CLIP THE BIGGER PICTURE Miedema's 100th goal also represents a powerful comeback story. She missed the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after suffering an ACL tear in December 2022, a devastating injury that sidelined her for a significant portion of competitive play. The gap between her 95th and 96th international goals spanned 22 months, a period marked by gruelling rehabilitation and uncertainty over her return to peak form. Adding to the remarkable nature of her achievement, all 100 of Miedema's goals have come from open play, none from the penalty spot. WHAT NEXT FOR MIEDEMA? WHAT NEXT FOR MIEDEMA? Scoring 100 international goals is a feat few footballers ever achieve. It places Miedema in an elite group of global players who have demonstrated both longevity and elite scoring ability on the biggest stages. She will be back in action against the Lionesses on Wednesday in the next group stage encounter.
The Guardian
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Wales v Netherlands: Women's Euro 2025
Update: Date: 2025-07-05T14:30:12.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Hello, hallo and welcome to coverage of Wales v Netherlands at Euro 2025. For Wales, today is a historic one. It is their first-ever match at a major tournament, a huge milestone for the nation. Despite being drawn in what many consider to be the 'group of death', Rhian Wilkinson believes her team can do 'something special' in Switzerland. Meanwhile, Netherlands have been in this position plenty of times before. They are no strangers to European glory, having won the competition in 2017 under the guidance of now-England manager Sarina Wiegman. When it comes to experience, Oranje certainly have the upper-hand. But, of course, anything can happen in tournament football. Kick-off for this one is at 5pm BST – join me!
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Remembering Patrick Kluivert's international brilliance on his birthday
For many football fans, Patrick Kluivert defined a generation. As a Champions League winner with Ajax, the forward became a household name before enjoying a similarly star-studded spell in Barcelona's front line. Advertisement Kluivert's mercurial talent on the international stage was often overlooked due to the Netherlands falling short at several major tournaments during his peak. But as he celebrates his 49th birthday, it's worth appreciating one of his finest moments of hitting a hat-trick in a 6-1 hammering of Yugoslavia at EURO 2000. The Oranje's no.9 showcased his finesse to help Frank Rijkaard's side into the semi finals of the tournament jointly hosted in their homeland a quarter of a century ago. Ronald Koeman is fortunate enough to have a sprinkling of Kluivert's magic at his disposal in Bournemouth winger Justin, who has followed in his father's footsteps. 📸 Shaun Botterill
