The Netherlands and Sweden share exchanges in Euro group openers
Dutch midfielder Jill Roord canceled Jonna Andersson’s premiere for Sweden when the reigning champion saved a 1-1 draw in her heavyweight match in Group C at the women’s European Championships on Saturday.
Both teams started cautiously and a boring first half at Bramall Lane came to life when Sweden took a well-deserved lead in the 36th minute through Andersson who hit home from close range after an excellent winger from Kosovar Asllani.
Lina Hurtig got almost a second with a header minutes later before Danielle van de Donk burned over for the Dutch, and ended a miserable half where they took off goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal and defender Aniek Nouwen due to injury.
Dutch coach Mark Parsons told reporters that both players had been taken to hospital but he was not sure of the extent of the injuries.
“We stayed calm. How often do you lose your captain and midfielder in the first half?” he said.
“We are worried about their situation, but their substitutes (goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar and Marisa Olislagers) did very well. I am proud of how we fought back. In the end, it is a pity we did not win.”
The Netherlands, guarded by men’s head coach Louis van Gaal, flew out of the traps after the break and struck back through Roord in the 52nd minute after being brilliantly set by Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema.
Miedema grew into the match during the half, drove on the Swedish defense with a real threat, and almost played in Roord for the winner but the Wolfsburg player was denied by an excellent timed tackle from Magdalena Eriksson.
“We kept it compact, and from there we started playing football,” said Miedema.
“Sweden is a fantastic team. We were a little surprised that they came out with five at the back, but we took it well in the end. I think they will go very far, and I hope we can do the same.”
Portugal and Switzerland, the other teams in the group, played a 2-2 draw earlier on Saturday.