Shanice van de Sanden returns to Orange after a sad event...

“I always want to play, whatever game it is,” said Spitse shortly before departure. “I once missed an international match, a long time ago against Sweden, because I was still suffering from an ankle injury at the time. Yes, and last month that game in Russia because of the quarantine rules. Then I got no exemption from my club. Someone else decided for me that I couldn’t play, that was difficult. But when I’m there, I want to play. ”

Partly thanks to that attitude and the fact that she has been undisputed in Orange for years, Spitse’s counter stands at 179 international matches. The 30-year-old Frisian also hardly ever misses a match at her Norwegian club Valerenga. “I take good care of my body. I watch my diet, I watch when I need rest. Fitness is mainly in your own hands. I’ll never be a dribbler, but I’ll keep looking at what I can do to get a few percent better. I keep going until I don’t like it anymore and the motivation is gone. But it is still 100 percent at the moment. That fanaticism is in me. Whether it’s a game of football or a game of cards, I always want to win. ”

The football players assured themselves on Friday with a resounding victory over Estonia (7-0) of participation in the European Championship in 2022 in England. Next year, the debut at the Olympic Games in Tokyo awaits. The ‘Leeuwinnen’, the reigning champions of Europe, close the European Championship qualification with two duels against Kosovo. “We have agreed that we want to win all matches in the group. Well, two more to go. ”

A personal price also beckons for Spitse. She has already scored ten goals in qualifying, leading the top scorers list together with Norwegian Caroline Graham Hansen. “Now that we have that European Championship ticket, it will be a goal in itself to become a top scorer,” said Spitse, who mainly scores from penalties and free kicks. “Whether I will be that or Vivianne Miedema, that doesn’t really matter to me. It would be nice for the team if we also have the top scorer of the European Championship qualifying in our midst. ” Miedema, the all-time top scorer of Orange, has eight goals in the European Championship qualification.

From the Sanden to Kosovo

Shanice van de Sanden returns to the selection of the Dutch football players for the European Championship qualifying match against Kosovo. The wing striker of VfL Wolfsburg was missing against Estonia on Friday due to sad family circumstances.

Van de Sanden joined the selection again on Sunday and will fly to Pristina on Monday. Except for goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal, who was already missing against Estonia due to a hip injury and has now returned to her club PSV, Wiegman has a fully fit selection.

“We have already been placed, but everyone is very excited to play football. We really want to win again ”, said the national coach, who was serenaded by her players on her 51st birthday. “I am going to make changes in some positions, but certainly not change the entire team. We want to be on the field with the same energy as against Estonia and keep looking for the next goal. Then we have a nice game and the people who watch TV at home have a nice evening. ”