Oranje will go to the European Championship in Switzerland without Shanice van de Sanden and Merel van Dongen. National coach Andries Jonker has decided to keep the two experienced players out of his final selection.
In addition to Van de Sanden and Van Dongen, Jonker had to disappoint two more players: goalkeeper Regina van Eijk and midfielder Jill Baijings. The national coach announced his final selection after the three-day training camp in Zeist.
Van de Sanden returned to the Oranje squad last May after fifteen months of absence. The 97-time international did not play in the Nations League matches against Germany and Scotland, which means that her last international match dates from February 2024.
The 32-year-old Van de Sanden hoped to participate in a major final tournament in two weeks for the first time since the 2020 Olympic Games, but just like at the last World Cup (2023) and European Championship (2022), the winger drops out at the last moment. Everton player Katja Snoeijs is part of the 23-member selection.
In defense, four-time international Ilse van der Zanden is preferred over Van Dongen. Like Van de Sanden, Van Dongen brings a lot of experience and energy to the team, but that did not result in playing minutes: her last international match dates from December 2023.
Buurman to European Championship for the first time
Veerle Buurman can prepare for her first final tournament. The nineteen-year-old central defender even seems to be getting a basic place at the European Championship. Buurman played herself into Jonker’s spotlight at PSV. After the summer she will leave for the English top club Chelsea.
The selection contains no further surprises. Lineth Beerensteyn is still on her way back from an injury and hopes to reach the first European Championship match. The striker is an important force under Jonker. Last season she scored a total of 24 goals in 38 matches.
Esmee Brugts did not participate in the first training sessions towards the European Championship this week. She was given a few extra days off by Jonker because she played the cup final with FC Barcelona on June 7. Barça won that match 2-0 against Atlético Madrid.
The European Championship starts for Oranje on Saturday, July 5 with a match against Wales. Furthermore, Jonker’s team will face England (July 9) and France (July 13) in the group stage. Next week Thursday, the Dutch national team will play a farewell match against Finland in Leeuwarden.