Paris — The Dutch train, glittering brilliant Oranje in the evening light, never hit full steam as they advanced to an eighth Olympic semi-final in a row. For the Netherlands were made to work hard for their 3-1 win by a spirited Great Britain women’s side at Yves-du-Manoir.
The hope here for GB? The longer they could hold out at 0-0, the more pressure may be exerted on Paul van Ass’ European and world-beating side. Those aspirations were extinguished after 46 seconds. Yibbi Jansen sent an aerial from the 23m into Xan de Waard on the baseline. She had time to trap and smash in a volley in between Miriam Pritchard and post. Dutch simplicity cut through GB frailties.
It left GB to chase the game for 59 minutes. A tall task which they emptied the tank for, not least when they regrouped after the early blow. But two further costly mistakes in defence did for GB. In the end, this was a 13th defeat in a row (including a shoot-out defeat after GB held the Dutch to 1-1 in 2020) since the Rio final for a GB side against one which will now play Argentina in the last four. A repeat of the Tokyo final.
Defeat also left GB men or women failing to medal at the Olympics for the first time since Beijing 2008. Since then, Team GB women had won three successive medals. A fourth, after a below par group stage, looked a long shot. Still, GB coach David Ralph gave his side the best opportunity to compete.
“You have to go out and compete against them,” the Scot said afterwards. “They are an exceptional team – arguably the best in any team sport in terms of success particularly in the last decade. You just have to say ‘we will take the fight to you, work hard and we will have chances’. Scoring a goal for us builds the belief and the game is tight.
“When you have the ball, you have to be brave and get up the pitch and try and put them under pressure. They [the Dutch] don’t get that very often.”
Lily Owsley had said before this clash that GB had to “defend like animals” in defence. Well, she certainly raced out of the traps as No.1 runner as she charged down 100-goal chasing Frederique Matla’s first PC of the evening. The Bristolian looked in some discomfort as she ripped off her protective gear after taking the brunt of Matla’s power.
But GB had kept the Dutch to one after that early blemish. While the GB crash ball seemed hopeful, the Dutch had venom and intent. It landed a second PC as Flora Peel attempted a vicious trap. Pritchard gloved away from Jansen’s flick.
GB’s equaliser came via an initial four-way interchange from deep to the Dutch baseline as Tess Howard fed Sarah Jones who found a foot. The PC was sluggish as Amy Costello attempted her slap. But the circle Gods were with GB as it pinballed off an Oranje stick and then into the path of Hannah French, who got enough lift from her sweeping forehand to beat an advancing Anne Veenendaal.
The world No.1 side regained the lead when a Jansen flick found the top of Pritchard’s pads, looping back into play and captain Hollie Pearne-Webb unable to clear and unsuccessful with a stick tackle review. Luna Fokke pounced with 21 seconds left of the half. Despite the first and last minute sucker punch, GB had held their own in between.
All against a tide of Orange on the pitch and in the stands. There was still considerable Dutch support after fans raged after this match had originally been scheduled for the morning session. Instead, they witnessed another near-procession towards playing for a sixth Olympic final in succession.
This became more apparent as the shadows lengthened and Pearne-Webb lost possession on the 23m to offer the Dutch a first sight at goal in the third quarter. Quick ball into the circle saw Joosje Burg launch her stick as three GB ones came in to clear. Her shot hit the sideboard. So did Felice Albers, with two minutes left of the quarter, after weaving towards goal on the baseline.
The Dutch, with nine Olympic debutants, soon made GB pay for losing possession. Sophie Hamilton did so one minute into the final quarter as Maria Verschoor meandered into the circle, the ball glued to her stick. Her push shot found Pritchard’s left glove but Fokke made sure on the rebound.
GB held out and rallied at the death. But the circle entries told the story. The Dutch advancing 31 times, to GB’s 11. It was, though, the best 60 minutes of GB’s Olympic campaign.
The GB girls did us proud, the players and coaching staff should hold their heads high.
A special mention has to go to Laura Roper(Unsworth) for her remarkable International career, her commitment and levels of performance have been outstanding throughout,
The Dutch, unfortunately, continue to be ahead of the rest. The first goal however was the joke that is arial rule which prevents defenders defending. The second goal was a stick tackle – how the on field umpire missed it is beyond me.