Netherlands:

It’s starting to become a nice tradition. After a major tournament we make a team with the editors of field hockey.nl with the stars of the tournament. We would like to present you two dream teams with the allstars of the past European Championship. We start with the women, tomorrow the men will follow.

Goal: Clara Pérez (Spain)
The goalkeeper of Athletic Terrassa was named the best goalie of the tournament at the European Championship. She was the only real first choice among the top three countries. With finalists Netherlands and Germany, both goalkeepers alternated. Clara Pérez was the undisputed number one with Spain, she did not miss a minute this European Championship. Moreover, she had a large share in the bronze medal, by claiming a leading role in the consolation final against Belgium. There she defused one shoot-out after another by the Belgians and also stopped two penalties.

WV2025 WV2R5983 - Netherlands: - It's starting to become a nice tradition. After a major tournament we make a team with the editors of field hockey.nl with the stars of the tournament. We would like to present you two dream teams with the allstars of the past European Championship. We start with the women, tomorrow the men will follow.

Clara Pérez. Photo: Willem Vernes

Defense: Sanne Koolen (Netherlands), Selin Oruz (Germany), Lisa Post (Netherlands)
She is the Orange’s silent force. Rarely comes to the fore and has elevated “playing in service of the team” to an art. Except for a minuscule slip, Sanne Koolen played a terrific tournament. Rarely steady, she led the Netherlands’ defense. Next to Koolen, we choose Selin Oruz. Internationally seasoned, fast and good in duels and still one of the best defenders in the world.

Too bad for Germany: Oruz played her last tournament and will focus on her life as a doctor. The three-man defense – we dare with these three names – is completed by Lisa Post. She was at the back as well as defensive middle-mid with the Orange this tournament. A beacon of calm, also hardly to be caught at fault and with the lung capacity of a tank. As national coach Raoul Ehren said, she is capable of running back to our hotel after a game. This EC, we hardly came across better defenders than the Post Express.

WV2025 WV2R3721 - Netherlands: - It's starting to become a nice tradition. After a major tournament we make a team with the editors of field hockey.nl with the stars of the tournament. We would like to present you two dream teams with the allstars of the past European Championship. We start with the women, tomorrow the men will follow.

Sanne Koolen. Photo: Willem Vernes

Midfield: Pien Sanders (Netherlands), Xan de Waard (Netherlands), Yibbi Jansen (Netherlands), Lucia Jiménez (Spain)
Yep, a lot of Orange in this midfield. But they are all explainable and defensible – at least we think so. Let’s start with Pien Sanders. Played entirely as a midfielder this tournament and did so with an unstoppable drive. It was also her first tournament as captain, and she showed that cartwheel role every game at the European Championship. That she graced her anniversary match (150 caps, after the group game with Germany) with two goals made her tournament all the more memorable.

We really couldn’t ignore Yibbi Jansen either. The tournament’s top scorer who, to her own discomfort, was also crowned best player. Her corner was of capital value for the Dutch in the semi-final against Spain. We thought a little longer about Xan de Waard. She was a bit searching at the beginning of the tournament. Danced less with the ball than we are used to. But De Waard made up for that in the final match, where she and Sanders took the Netherlands by the hand in a difficult phase.

WV2025 WV2R3505 - Netherlands: - It's starting to become a nice tradition. After a major tournament we make a team with the editors of field hockey.nl with the stars of the tournament. We would like to present you two dream teams with the allstars of the past European Championship. We start with the women, tomorrow the men will follow.

Pien Sanders after her goal against Germany. Photo: Willem Vernes

Next to the Orange trio is a spot for Lucia Jiménez. Spain’s technically gifted midfielder is a player you come to the stadium for. Then you have to go to Mannheimer HC, because that is where Jiménez earns her living.

Attack: Patricia Alvarez (Spain), Frédérique Matla (Netherlands), Sophia Schwabe (Germany)
When we started making this lineup, Patricia Alvarez’ name was written down very quickly. Because to be honest: not many players can excel against the Netherlands. Well, Alvarez did with her masterful high backhand against the Dutch, which made it 0-1. Earlier she also scored an important goal against Belgium in the group phase.

WV2R8974 e1755270595662 - Netherlands: - It's starting to become a nice tradition. After a major tournament we make a team with the editors of field hockey.nl with the stars of the tournament. We would like to present you two dream teams with the allstars of the past European Championship. We start with the women, tomorrow the men will follow.

Patricia Alvarez cheers after her goal for Spain against the Netherlands. Photo: Willem Vernes

Frédérique Matla provides the Dutch touch up front. Or maybe just a little behind there, hanging around and getting the ball a lot. She likes that freer role better than that of deep striker. Either way, a striker who can do everything. From rock-hard shooting to subtle rebounding, Matla showed it all this European Championship. The last spot is for Germany’s Sophia Schwabe. The only 22-year-old striker did not suffer from stage fright at this EC. With two goals and an assist in Germany’s opening match, her tournament was soon a success. So Schwabe is blessed with Torinstinkt, but also has a good action up her sleeve. A player who still has a bright future ahead of her.