It was in the predetermined 48th minute that Lithuanian referee Rasa Grigone stopped the game, freeing up time for Spitse to make a public substitution. After her fellow players and the Canadians had formed a guard of honor on the halfway line, the captain’s armband came off for the longest walk of her career. While handing out high fives, she could barely hold back her tears.
Dominique Janssen received the belt and, as the new captain, now seems to have received the approval of Spitse himself. Incidentally, the 35-year-old Friezin had been denied the opportunity to say goodbye with a goal a minute earlier, but Grigone overlooked a handball from Canadian Jade Rose from a shot by Jill Roord. Roord shook her head and you could see her thinking: that referee doesn’t understand anything at all. I’m sure Spitse had taken the pin.
Next year, soccer animal Sherida Spitse will start the trainer course
Spitse thus ended her international career with 248 caps and 46 goals. A career that started in 2006 and included a European title in 2017 and World Cup silver two years later. Spitse will continue to play football at her club Ajax for a while, but will start the trainer’s course next year. One of the greatest icons of Dutch women’s football cannot imagine a life without football.
Sherida Spitse waves to acquaintances during the national anthem. © ANP/HH
It’s funny that in the second international match under the new national coach Veurink, the Lionesses promptly defeated a country from the global top 10, something that only succeeded once under predecessor Andries Jonker. The Lionesses will soon be told which countries they will start the group stage of World Cup qualifying with. The Dutch team will play two more friendly matches before this, and Veurink hopes that the team will not have to organize another festive match. Another great, Daniëlle van de Donk, also has doubts about extending her international career.
Sherida Spitse says a grand farewell to the Orange Lionesses: ‘She fits in well in the KNVB sculpture garden’
Lynn Wilms the final station of a flashy Orange attack: 1-0
In the first part of the first half the battle was even, but after two nice chances from Lineth Beerensteyn the third was a charm. From an excellent attack over many checkers, Esmee Brugts offered Lynn Wilms, who had crept forward, an opportunity not to be missed with a delicate pass: 1-0. Goalkeeper Lize Kop had to take action once when Adriana Leon shot and did so competently.
Lynn Wilms cheers after the 1-0. © PRO SHOTS
Well, the match was all about Spitse’s Oranje retirement, it was also a serious test of strength with number 9 in the FIFA rankings. Veurink sent his team into the field in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Miedema playing in the back of striker Beerensteyn. Although Miedema plays with jersey number 9, she is rarely or never at the point of attack at her club Manchester City.
Marisa Olislagers seems to have won the battle for the left back position
Despite the label ‘party competition’, ‘battles’ were indeed fought with consequences. Veurink used two left backs against Poland, but left Janou Levels on the bench against Canada in favor of Marisa Olislagers. The defender from Santpoort-Zuid, employed by Brighton & Hove Albion, played a hell of a match and seems to have decided the mutual battle in her favor for the time being.
Retiring Sherida Spitse wants to become national coach Leeuwinnen: ‘With Arjan Veurink as assistant’
In a second half in which the Netherlands was again better and substitution was an asset, the home team forgot to pull the trigger. Particularly just before the end, when substitute Victoria Pelova forgot to pass the ball to Olislagers. It is those moments that are all stored in Veurink’s big football book. In any case, a graceful line can be drawn through the name of Sherida Spitse.
