A full bar, the windows open and groups of people who no longer fit on the street. At least 90 percent is women. The Orange Women can be seen on the TV screens. There is no flag in the wider area, let alone Orange supporters. But that does not detract from the football joy in Bar Lenie.
The sports bar in Rotterdam only shows women’s sports on the TV screens and bears the name of Lenie van Wensveen-van der Jagt. Almost seventy years ago she became the first goal scorer ever for the Dutch women’s team.
When Van der Jagt’s favorite player Jackie Groenen is kicking off against Wales, she toast with the supporters next to her. “On the victory,” they say. “Cheers to the women,” says 83-year-old Van der Jagt. “I am a big fan of Jackie. I also played in midfield, and, like Jackie, was a tough worker.”
Van der Jagt smiles when she lets the full bar work in herself. “I really thought it was a joke, a bar with my name? I still have to recover.” The audience springs when Jill Roord touches the pole with a loudy Pegel. “In the past we were always opposed as footballing women, now the players are being worn.”
Crying behind the bar
The new Rotterdam bar attracts dozens of women and a tuft of men on Saturday evening. The women’s team of the football club across the street is already watching a match for several evenings. Couples, groups of friends and older football fans have also found their way to the bar.
According to one of the founders of Bar Lenie, it is the first place in Europe where only women’s sports are broadcast. Initiator Marijn Hermans is overwhelmed. “We are almost howling every night behind the bar of pride.” Hermans had not expected such a massive turnout on Saturday evening.
The squares and pubs in the Netherlands are not nearly full of Oranjefans in the Netherlands. Women’s football is on the rise, with the European Championship profit in 2017 as an undeniably starting shot of that advance, yet the attention of the public in 2025 is not yet impressive.
Media now works out a lot with the Orange women. Many journalists are present in Switzerland. The public broadcaster also cleaned up broadcasting time for all competitions in the tournament. But in the streets it is still very different.
“We miss places where you can come together for women’s sports,” says Hermans. She now seems to have created that place in Rotterdam. This week, Danish and Polish supporters also took a seat at the bar.
There sounds loud cheers, Van der Jagt’s hands go up in the air (to be seen here). Vivianne Miedema scores the first goal of the match against EK debutant Wales. The cheers are higher in tone than in an average sports bar. The Orange women have their own audience, which found each other here in Rotterdam.
After the 3-0 victory, the Oranje women will play the second group match against the England of Sarina Wiegman on Wednesday evening. The fans of women’s football will not let that encounter pass by. Lenie van der Jagt is in the front row again.
A Full Bar, The Windows Open, And Groups Of People Spilling Onto The Street. At Least 90 percent are Women. The Orange Lionesses Are Visible On The TV Screens. There is not a single flag to be seen in the surrounding area, Let Alone Orange Supporters. But that does not detract from the football joy in Bar Lenie.
The Sports Bar in Rotterdam Only Shows Women’s Sports on the TV Screens and Is Named After Lenie van Wensveen-van der Jagt. Almost Seventy Years ago, She Became the First Goal Scorer Ever for the Dutch Women’s Team.
When Van der Jagt’s Favorite Player Jackie Groenen is at the kick-off against Wales, She Toasts with the supporters next to her. “To the Victory,” they say. “Cheers to the Women,” Says 83-Year-Hold van der Jagt. “I’m a Big Fan of Jackie. I also play in midfield, and like Jackie, I was a hard worker.”
Van der Jagt Glows As She Lets The Full Bar Sink In. “I really thought it was a joke, a bar with my name? I still have to get over it.” The Audience Springs Up When Jill Roord Hits The Post With A Hard Shot. “In The Past, We As Female Footballers Were Always Resisted, Now the Players Are Carried On Hands.”
Crying Behind the Bar
The New Rotterdam Bar Attracts Boxes of Women and A Handful or Men on Saturday Evening. The Women’s team from the Football Club Across The Street Has Been Watching a Match for Several Evenings. Couples, Groups of Friends and Older Football fans have also found their way to the bar.
Accordance to one of the founders of bar Lenie, it is the first place in Europe where Only Women’s Sports Are Broadcast. Initiator Marijn Hermans is Overhelmed. “We are Almost Crying Behind the Bar Every Night with Pride.” Hermans had not expected such a massive turnout again on Saturday Evening.
The squares and pubs in the Netherlands are not yet full of orange fans at this European Championship. Women’s Football is on the rise, with the European Championship Victory in 2017 in Their Own Country as the Undeniable Starting Shot of That Advance, Yet The Attention of the Public In 2025 is not Yet Impressive.
The media are now extensively covering the orange lionesses. Many journalists are present in Switzerland. The Public Broadcaster also allocated Broadcasting Time for All Matches in The Tournament. But it is very different in the street scene.
“We Miss Places in the Netherlands where you can come together for Women’s Sports,” Says Hermans. She now seems to have created that place in Rotterdam. This week, Danish and Polish supporters also Tok A Seat At The Bar.
There is Loud Cheering, Van der Jagt’s Hands Go Up in the Air (Seen Here). Vivianne Miedema Scores The First Goal of the Match Against European Championship Debutant Wales. The Cheering is Higher in Tone Than In An Average Sports Bar. The Orange Lionesses Have Their Own Audience, Who Have Found Each Other Here in Rotterdam.
After the 3-0 Victory, The Orange Lionesses Will Play Their Second Group Match Against Sarina Wiegman’s England on Wednesday Evening. The Lover of Women’s Football Will Not Miss That Meeting. Lenie van der Jagt Will Be In The Front Row Again.