Thu 29 May 12:45
Women
1 – 1
Den Bosch D1
SCHC D1
Den Bosch women have captured the national title for the 23rd time. In a blood-curdling final against SCHC, the decision only came after shoot-outs, after regular playing time ended 1-1, just like earlier this week.
Den Bosch opened strongly. Defender Rosa Fernig surprisingly scored her first goal of the season and also cleared a ball off the line moments later. Elzemiek Zandee equalised before half-time with a hard backhand shot, after sloppy defending by Charlotte Englebert.
After half-time, both teams slowed down. The fear of losing seemed greater than the urge to win, so chances became scarce. In the closing seconds, Den Bosch forced two penalty corners in a row, led by a hard ball by Pien Sanders on the foot of Renée van Laarhoven.
Such a moment previously led to decisive goals in the 2021 and 2022 finals, both times by Frédérique Matla. Now a goal failed to materialise and a shoot-out series had to provide the solution.
Yibbi Jansen seemed to get SCHC off to a good start with two penalty strokes, but then missed her own shoot-out. Then Renée van Laarhoven also failed on behalf of SCHC, before Belgium’s Charlotte Englebert delivered the final blow: 4-3 in the shoot-outs. For Den Bosch, only Emma Reijnen missed her shoot-out.
Thus, SCHC again missed out on the title for the sixth time in the club’s history, for the fifth time against Den Bosch and for the fourth time in a row. The team from Bilthoven is still waiting for its first championship. Den Bosch celebrated again – as so often in May. The team captured a unique treble this season with the Gold Cup, the EHL and the national title.
