Hockey is a national sport in the Netherlands, and the Dutch women are accordingly dominant (Lidewij Welten, right, against Charlotte Stapenhorst).
Image: AFP
In front of 10,000 spectators, Germany is defeated by the Netherlands. Opponents have long been the measure of all things in women’s hockey. But the neighbors, who are used to success, have recently had trouble.
DThe barrier tapes that channel the way inside the stadium indicate that they are about to come. A few bars are set up in no time, and then it can start: what is currently probably the most successful national team in the world is on its way again with extremely concentrated faces to bring in the next victory.
To call her accustomed to success would be an understatement. The Dutch women’s hockey team are European, World and Olympic champions, and to call them popular back home would be the next understatement. They are – and always have been – popular. 10,000 fans come to the second World Cup group game against Germany on Sunday, 10,000 came the day before against Ireland. When the Netherlands play, the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen is sold out and if it were a little bigger that wouldn’t change that.
