The Netherlands beats practice partner Tunisia after a strong first half
The Dutch men’s team has booked the first on the second day of the 4 Nations Cup in Gdansk. Due to a strong first half (18-12), the Orange put practice partner Tunisia over the knee: 33-28.
After yesterday’s lesser inning against Japan (30-33), the national team showed much better this afternoon in Poland. Before halftime, the Orange Men made a gap of six goals compared to Tunisia.
“The 6-0 coverage was very good. With a strong Bart Ravensbergen behind it. As a precaution, we took him to the side, but colleague Dennis Schellekens is also wearing it well,” says assistant national coach Edwin Kippers from Gdansk.
Ten for Ten Velde
After the break, the Dutch team, in preparation for the European Championship to be held next month, ran out to 28-20. Left corner player Rutger ten Velde in particular had little trouble finding the Tunisian net. The Arnhemmer scored ten goals during the second match of the 4 Nations Cup.
Kippers about the second company: “We started trying more, for example 5-1, and that cost us some goals. But we did not panic. Also when Tunisia, good in the one-on-one, came back to four (31-27, ed.). That is the growth that this team is going through.”
Luc Steins
Luc Steins remained sidelined for the entire match against Japan. During the first win, the PSG playmaker made fifty minutes of play. “It already looked a lot better than yesterday. Looking at ourselves critically and working helps. That is a nice conclusion for coaches”, concludes Kippers.
The formation of national coach Erlingur Richardsson will close the practice tournament in Poland against the home country tomorrow evening (18:30). On New Year’s Eve, the internationals return to their own country. At the beginning of January 2022, the Netherlands will practice two more times in Sweden to open the European Championship against the home country on January 13 of the new calendar year in Budapest.
Orange goalscorers: Rutger ten Velde 10, Iso Sluijters 5, Dani Baijens and Sander Visser 4, Samir Benghanem, Tom Jansen and Florent Bourget 2, Ephrahim Jerry, Ivo Steins, Luc Steins, Bobby Schagen 1.
Photo: FotoReza