NL – FIN ended with 1-1. Their away game was full of players bodies refusing to play any longer. A disapointing final match for Lieke Martens, who was pretty frustrated after the away game. But, still said this result was a good reflection of the match itself.

From the get go the Oranje Leeuwinnen had another round of injury’s, which makes playing at the national team seem like the survival of the ‘fittest’. Jonker is dealing with bodies refusing to play any more games. Damaris Egurrola got injured in the home game last friday, and did leave the Leeuwinnen camp. Spitse did not train, just to get her foot rested. Beerensteyn did not tain fully and Esmee Brugts got ill.

During the game Renate Jansen and Chasity Grant replaced Egurrola and Brugts in the starting eleven. Jansen replaced Brugts position. Pelova played midfield while Chasity started as an attacking winger. Yet, Pelova got injured after 10 minutes. Future Chelsea player Wieke Kaptein, a different kind of midfielder, came on for her. The complete squad was different, while the Finnish players came into their own.

Finland seemed to be the stronger side, but their keeper gave the ball to Beerensteyn, who finished the ball with confidence in goal. From there on the Dutch weren’t able to create as many chances as they did on friday at home. This resulted in a more attacking and countering Finland. Luckily Van Domselaar was able to start again, after her hip injury, and made some decent saves.

When Daniëlle van de Donk got injured and subbed, the whole squad seemed to have to defend more and more, while this is not the Dutch style of play in a 3-5-2 system. Only Dominique Janssen and Lynn Wilms are true defenders. Which lead into another mistake at the back, but this time on the other side. Spitse, a midfielder in nature, with intelligent passes gave the ball away to a Finnish player. This resulted in a great goal by Jutta Rantala.

Luckily Norway and Italy drawed again with a 1-1 on the scoreboard. This way the Dutch remained their number 1 position. It’s clear bodies are done, or exhausted. Usually staring players in the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Jill Roord, Caitlin Dijkstra and Brugts were clearly missing. But the positions they left could not have been replaced by the regular subs like Kerstin Casparij, Romée Leuchter, Damaris Egurrola, Van de Sanden, Lize Kop and even Aniek Nouwen are all missing from the squad due to injury.

It’s not just a Dutch issue. Other performances at the Euro qualifiers must be concerning for the UEFA, who has sceduled another international window mid july. The needed rest is interrupted for these players, which is kind of crazy. Let’s hope UEFA will learn at some point and consider the wellbeing of players.