Vivianne Miedema is looking forward to playing against her girlfriend Beth Mead with Oranje on Wednesday at the European Championship. The 28-year-old striker and her partner are “not friends for a while” during England-Netherlands.
Miedema is a basic player for the Dutch national team and Mead is usually in the starting line-up for England. As a result, the two, who have been in a relationship since 2022, will face each other on Wednesday.
“I’ll be happy when it’s over. As long as we have three points afterwards,” Miedema said on Tuesday at the press conference before the match against the English in Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich.
Miedema and Mead have not spoken to each other about the spicy match. “Our rule is that we can talk about everything, except about the game. For example, I have no idea if she will be allowed to start tomorrow.”
In principle, Miedema and Mead will hardly meet each other during the match. Miedema is in the striker position and Mead is also a striker. Most likely, left back Esmee Brugts will have to stop the English player.
“Well, maybe I’ll be left back. You (the media, ed.) don’t know that yet,” Miedema joked. “I’m not going to hold back if I come into a duel with Beth. We are not friends on the field.”
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Miedema plays against English partner at European Championship: ‘Not friends for a while’
‘Beth won’t talk to me for a while’
Miedema also has no trouble knocking Mead and England out of the tournament. If Oranje wins on Wednesday evening, the reigning European champion will be out of the tournament after two matches.
“I will do everything to win. Even if she won’t talk to me for a while. No, I don’t have good memories of playing against Beth, haha. But we can change that.”
Miedema finds it more difficult to play against (former) teammates. Through her period at Arsenal and through her current club Manchester City, she knows many English players.
“A few of my best friends are in that team. On the other hand, we also play against each other at club level. We’ll see tomorrow if it’s my time to shine.”