Code Orange..Code Orange!!! Lionesses Pride Hunt the Bald Eagle; WC Final USA - NL

What alot of people donot know is that Sarina Wiegman prepared the team for a different kind of opponent. In the Euros and during qualification for the WC they played against teams with the will to play soccer with an open mind. However in the WC it was anticipated it would be a completely different MO the opponents would use. Tight backlines/bunkering and playing the physical card to stop the Orange Lionesses. So in the build up to the WC preps were focused on dealing with that different MO and keeping to the script of how to decompose that.
The last test in that respect was the practice match vs Australia that truly brought to the table everything with respect to physical play, rough and exhausting. The Orange Lionesses srtuggled with it the whole match, but also brought to the table what was expected from them, deal with it and in the end take the win home.

 

From wiki
Groenen has won a series of championships in judo sports.[26] In 2007, 2008 and 2009 she was Netherlands champion in the under 15 age group. She has won these titles in the weight class -32 kg.[27] In 2010, she was vice champion in the weight class -44 kg. On 6 March 2010 she won the gold medal in the under 17 age group in Tilburg, Netherlands and on the European level at the European championships in June 2010 in Teplice she won the bronze medal of the under 17 age group, weight class -40 kg.[28][29] In February 2011 Groenen won the Netherlands junior championships in the weight class -44 kg, under 20 age group.[30]

Groenen's judo career came to an end when she was 17. Her employers FCR 2001 Duisburg made clear their unhappiness when she broke her hip in a judo accident the day before a football match. Groenen admitted that she preferred football and would eventually have chosen to stop judo in any case.

 

First minutes of the match.
The USA presses forwards and O'hara is about 10 meters into the Orange Lionesses Den with the ball in possession of Lavelle, who passes to Heath 10 meters from the box. Bloodworth intercepts and wacks it into the US half and Beerensteyn suddenly has an open pitch in front of her and runs for the ball, takes it and speeds towards the USA box, where Miedema arrived to collect the pass. She aimes...and gets torpedoed by Abby Dahlkemper. Penalty and red.
Miedema scores from the spot in the same minute as Johan Neeskens did 45 years before on July 7th 1974.

 

What's the preferred line up for the match?
Mine:
1::: Veenendaal
2::: van Lunteren
3::: van der Gragt
20: Bloodworth
4::: van Dongen
14: Groenen
10: van de Donk
8::: Spitse
7::: van de Sanden
9::: Miedema
21: Beerensteyn

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxVeenendaalxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
van Lunterenxxxvan der GragtxxxxxxxxxxBloodworthxxxxvan Dongenxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxGroenenxxxxxxxvan de DonkxxxxxxxxxxxxSpitse
xxxxxxxvan de SandenxxxxxxxMiedemaxxxxxxxxxx Beerensteyn

 

In another thread a Dutch poster thinks we've no chance because:

"The American girls play a different game. The pace is so much higher"

He's talking about the physical part of the game.
How good is the tactical part of the players or the coach?
Miedema for instance forsaw that the Orange Lionesses were going to meet completely different style of play compared to the Euros, where the way of play was open, so the Orange Lionesses could go on the attack.
She made changes in the Orange Lionesses way of play to battle the bunkering and physical way of play of the WC opponents.
The foreign press are moaning that this isnot the Euro Orange Lionesses. That's correct, but it's not the Euros.
We can assume coach Wiegman with her staff has analysed the USA matches and for sure knows the MO of the USA. The question is whether the USA can play a tactical game, or are they a one trick pony.
When you're accustomed to play against opponents that are less in quality (which goes hand in hand with not very good tactically too), you can steamroll your opponents with one MO. It also means you're not used to make amandments to your game if your MO doesnot work.
And you know that Miedema, coming from a Dutch tradition in coaching is very well versed in the tactical side of the game.
Doesnot mean the expected onslaught of the USA is less of a worry, it still is.You're talking about the physical part of the game.
How good is the tactical part of the players or the coach?
Miedema for instance forsaw that the Orange Lionesses were going to meet completely different style of play compared to the Euros, where the way of play was open, so the Orange Lionesses could go on the attack.
She made changes in the Orange Lionesses way of play to battle the bunkering and physical way of play of the WC opponents.
The foreign press are moaning that this isnot the Euro Orange Lionesses. That's correct, but it's not the Euros.
We can assume coach Wiegman with her staff has analysed the USA matches and for sure knows the MO of the USA. The question is whether the USA can play a tactical game, or are they a one trick pony.
When you're accustomed to play against opponents that are less in quality (which goes hand in hand with not very good tactically too), you can steamroll your opponents with one MO. It also means you're not used to make amandments to your game if your MO doesnot work.
And you know that Miedema, coming from a Dutch tradition in coaching is very well versed in the tactical side of the game.
Doesnot mean the expected onslaught of the USA is less of a worry, it still is.

 

Are the USA capable of fending off the set piece threat of the Orange Lionesses. What is their history with that? For sure Wiegman and her staff have analysed the USA in that regard.

Is there a ready stat around with the length of both teams players?

 

Fun fact.
In 1996 in San Diego Sarina Wiegman as an Orange player beat the USA.

 

Both Solo and Koeman are pessimistic about the chances for the orange Lionesses:

Het Amerikaanse voetbalicoon Hope Solo geeft het Nederlands elftal zondag weinig kans tegen de Verenigde Staten.

De extra dag rust die de Amerikaanse ploeg heeft voor de WK-finale, speelt volgens Solo een grote rol. "Amerika is sowieso al fitter dan elk ander team. Het ziet er niet goed uit voor Nederland. Ze zullen de wedstrijd van hun leven moeten spelen", zegt de 37-jarige keepster bij de BBC, waar ze tijdens het WK actief is als analist.

'Of Nederland dat aankan?'
Ook Ronald Koeman voorziet een zware klus voor het elftal van zijn collega Sarina Wiegman. De bondscoach van het Nederlands mannenelftal, die woensdag in Lyon toeschouwer was bij de halve finale van de Oranjevrouwen tegen Zweden, liet voorafgaand aan de wedstrijd weten zeer onder de indruk te zijn van hetgeen Amerika en Engeland dinsdag in de eerste halve finale hadden laten zien.

"Dat vond ik geweldig, echt, echt. De beste wedstrijd die ik ooit van het vrouwenvoetbal heb gezien. Lichte twijfel of Nederland dat aankan", zei Koeman.

google translate
The American football icon Hope Solo gives the Dutch team little chance on Sunday against the United States.

The extra day of rest that the American team has for the World Cup final, according to Solo, plays a major role. "America is fitter anyway than any other team. It does not look good for the Netherlands. They will have to play the game of their lives," says the 37-year-old keeper at the BBC, where she is active as an analyst during the World Cup. .

"Whether the Netherlands can handle that?"

Ronald Koeman also foresees a tough job for the team of his colleague Sarina Wiegman. The national coach of the Dutch men's team, which was on Wednesday in Lyon watching the semi-finals of the Orange Women against Sweden, said before the game that they were very impressed with what America and England had shown in the first semi-final on Tuesday.

"I thought that was great, really, really. The best game I have ever seen in women's football. Slight doubts about whether the Netherlands can handle that," said Koeman.

 

https://www.volkskrant.nl/sport/vro...bal~b0838575/?referer=https://www.google.com/

WK voetbal Frankrijk 2019
Vrouwen van Oranje voegen vechtersmentaliteit toe aan het Nederlandse voetbal
De vrouwenploeg voegt een nieuwe kwaliteit toe aan de rijke historie van het Nederlandse voetbal: de vechtjas. Als het technisch en tactisch niet vlot, staat er een trots, onvermoeibaar strijderscollectief.

Willem Vissers4 juli 2019, 22:36


Centrale verdediger Stefanie van der Gragt, met een vlag om haar lijf gedrapeerd, verklaarde Oranje nader: ‘We hebben gevochten als leeuwinnen, we vechten voor elke meter. Aan de bal kan het beter, maar wat maakt het uit. Wat boeit het. Als het voetballend niet gaat, hebben we een andere kracht. We zijn zo sterk als team dat we het volhouden tot het einde. We kunnen in de 120ste minuut nog alles geven, zoveel meters maken. We gaan opnieuw alles geven, nog één wedstrijd. We kijken ook steeds per wedstrijd. Gaat het met mooi voetbal, dan gaat het met mooi voetbal. Anders niet.’

Dat is eigenlijk het evangelie, gevoegd bij uitstekende fitheid, opgedaan bij de clubs en in de strenge voorbereiding in Nederland. Nog één keer met energie smijten, tegen die andere vechters, de huizenhoge favoriet uit Amerika. Hoe het ook afloopt, de oranje vechtmachine zal strijden tot de laatste druppel brandstof.

2019 World Cup France
Women of Orange add fighting spirit to Dutch football
The women's team adds a new quality to the rich history of Dutch football: the fighter. If it's technically and tactically not going smooth, there is a proud, tireless fighters' collective that stands up.


Central defender Stefanie van der Gragt, with a flag draped around her body, the Orange explained further: "We fought like lionesses, we fight for every meter. On the ball could be better, but what difference does it make. What does it matter. If football does not work, we have a different strength. We are so strong as a team that we endure until the end. In the 120th minute we can still give everything, make so many meters. We are going to give everything again, one more match. We also always look forward per match. Can it be done with good football, then it is with good football. Otherwise not.'

That is actually the gospel, combined with excellent fitness, gained at the clubs and in the strict preparation in the Netherlands. One more time throwing energy against those other fighters, the house-high favorite from America. No matter how it ends, the orange fighting machine will compete until the last drop of fuel.

 

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sport...-cup-netherlands-us-final-preview/1644886001/

Opinion: It'll be newcomer vs. champion for World Cup title as Netherlands, US meet in final
Nancy Armour USA TODAY
Published 10:08 PM EDT Jul 3, 2019

LYON, France - Congratulations and condolences, Netherlands.

The Dutch reached the final in only their second World Cup appearance, advancing with a 1-0 win against Sweden in extra time Wednesday night. Their prize: Facing the top-ranked U.S. women, who will be playing in their third consecutive final Sunday.

What’s that saying about be careful what you wish for?

“It’s amazing playing the finals,” Netherlands coach Sarina Wiegman said. “It’s going to be so difficult but it’s only one match. Anything can happen.”

Theoretically, yes.

But the Netherlands and Sweden did nothing to dispel the notion that the real World Cup final was played Tuesday night, when the Americans beat England. Or maybe Friday, when the U.S. beat host France in front of an electrified crowd at Parc des Princes.


Netherlands midfielder Jackie Groenen, who scored the game-winner against Sweden, calls the USA "a really strong team, obviously."
Frederic Mons, USA TODAY Sports
OPINION: Megan Rapinoe is more patriotic than her critics

WHITE HOUSE: Trump is sending delegation to World Cup final

OPINION: Trump picked wrong time for Twitter rift with Rapinoe, USWNT

The Netherlands looked gassed much of the second half and had trouble connecting passes. Not until the 99th minute did Jackie Groenen finally break the scoreless tie with a hard shot from about 23 yards out that Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl couldn’t get a hand on.

Play that way Sunday against the Americans, who will have an extra day’s rest, and it’s going to be a long night. Even if the Dutch pack it in on defense, the Americans have shown they can break teams down, and their patience and many offensive options will likely be too much for an inexperienced Netherlands to handle.

That’s not arrogance, by the way. That’s plain fact. The U.S. women are in their third consecutive final, a first in the program’s illustrious history, and are trying to join Germany as the only team to win two in a row.

They’ve clearly been the best team in the tournament, scoring 24 goals while conceding only three, and reached the final despite having the hardest road there. The Americans had to beat France, ranked fourth in the world, and England, ranked third, just to get to the final, and consistently played on less rest than any of the other top teams.

The Americans also have a decided edge in head-to-head matchups with the Netherlands, winning six of their seven games. The Netherlands’ only win came in their first meeting, back in 1991.

“It’s a really strong team, obviously,” Groenen said. “That’s clear. It’s the States!”

Still, just making the final is a huge accomplishment for the Dutch. Ten years ago, they had never even played in a major international tournament, qualifying for their first European championship in 2009.

But the federation poured money into facilities and development and, in 2017, the Dutch won the European title. Two years later, they’re in the World Cup final.

“Going into a tournament, you want to win. But you know, given history and the phase we’re in, the chances are pretty low of you winning,” Wiegman said. “Then, all of the sudden, we’re playing the final so that’s fantastic.”


Netherlands fans are fantastic.
Frederic Mons, USA TODAY Sports
You know what else is fantastic? The Dutch fans.

The fun-loving, raucous bunch has faithfully followed the team the last four weeks, turning the streets of every city they visit into a sea of orange. On Wednesday night, they brought what sounded like a full band. Not just any band, mind you. It played Yellow Submarine and did a very good rendition of horse racing’s Call to Post.

Long after Sweden had been beaten, keeping them out of the final and sparing everyone from soccer’s version of Groundhog Day, the Dutch fans partied in the stands, singing and swaying in unison.

They will keep the game entertaining, even if their beloved Onzejacht can’t.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.

Published 10:08 PM EDT Jul 3, 2019

 

Another article making the fighting machine analysis:
https://www.ad.nl/wk-vrouwenvoetbal...ng~a615748a/?referrer=https://www.google.com/
Oranje is een vechtmachine pur sang

Oogstrelend voetbal? Nee, maar op dit WK vormen de voetbalsters van Oranje ontegenzeggelijk een vechtmachine. Met de finaleplaats tegen de VS als bekroning. ,,We hebben geléérd om te winnen.’’

Daniël Dwarswaard 05-07-19, 07:10

Orange is a pure fighting machine

Eye-catching football? No, but at this World Cup the football players of Oranje are unquestionably a fighting machine. With the final place against the US as the crown. "We learned to win."
Daniël Dwarswaard 07-07-19, 07:10

That's what makes this bunch special. They use every tool they have to win

 

Van de Donk weet wat Oranje zondag te wachten staat. “In de eerste 20 minuten zetten ze steeds volle bak druk. Ze willen vroeg scoren en dan de bus parkeren. Als we die eerste 20 minuten doorkomen, dan ligt de wedstrijd open.”

Van de Donk knows what Orange can expect on Sunday. “In the first 20 minutes they always put full pressure. They want to score early and then park the bus. If we get through those first 20 minutes, then the game is open. "

 

Lieke Martens skipped the last training before the match.
If she can't play there are signs Roord will take her place.

 

Merel van Dongen compares the US women with a tornado in the first 20 minutes.
Wiegman says: of course we're going to be cheeky.

Oranje moet dus direct vanaf de aftrap bij de les zijn. Al zou het zelf ook direct de duimschroeven kunnen aandraaien, zoals Wiegman voorzichtig liet doorschemeren. „Natuurlijk gaan wij brutaal zijn.”

Niet heel zeker
Zelf hoog druk zetten, het zou wel eens kunnen lonen. De defensie is niet de sterkste linie van de VS en Spanje heeft laten zien dat het succesvol kan zijn om de Amerikaanse verdedigers op te jagen. „Ze zijn niet heel zeker in de opbouw”, weet ook Van Dongen. „Spanje zette een aantal keer hoog druk en daar hadden ze moeite mee.”

Druk zetten kun je aan Daniëlle van de Donk wel overlaten. Het loopwonder op het middenveld wil de Amerikanen bovendien maar wat graag aanpakken. „Ik vind ze nogal arrogant”, zo vertelde ze. De Brabantse heeft zich met name gestoord aan een opmerking van Megan Rapinoe. Op de persconferentie in aanloop naar de halve finale tegen Engeland ging zij haar boekje te buiten, vond Van de Donk. „Ze ging daar zitten en zei: ’Tegen wie spelen we ook alweer?’ Terwijl ze dondersgoed wist tegen wie ze moesten spelen. Dat vind ik arrogant. Het mag, ieder z’n eigen ding. Maar ik vind het geen teken van respect.”


Orange must be alert right from the kick-off. Although it could itself also directly tighten the thumbscrews, as Wiegman hinted carefully. "Of course we are going to be cheeky."
Not very sure

Putting high pressure yourself, it might pay off. The defense is not the strongest line of the US and Spain has shown that it can be successful to chase the American defenders. "They are not very confident in the build-up", Van Dongen also knows. "Spain put a lot of pressure on it and they struggled with that."

You can leave pressure to Daniëlle van de Donk. Moreover, the miracle runner in the midfield is eager to take on the Americans. "I find them rather arrogant," she said. De Brabantse was particularly disturbed by a comment from Megan Rapinoe. At the press conference in the run-up to the semi-final against England, she went out of line, Van de Donk thought. "She sat down and said," Who are we playing against again? "While she knew who they were playing against. I find that arrogant. It is allowed, everyone has his own thing. But I don't think it's a sign of respect. "

 

8 examples of missions impossible!
https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/4222...e-acht-voorbeelden-die-het-tegendeel-bewijzen

 

https://mg.co.za/article/2019-07-05...upper-us-juggernaut-in-womens-world-cup-final
Pragmatic Netherlands look to scupper US juggernaut in Women’s World Cup final
Luke Feltham 05 Jul 2019 00:00

 

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/a...womens-world-cup-final-2019-07-05?mod=opinion