UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 – Group D
Swissporarana
Attendance – 14,147
The wait was finally over, The History Women’s first match in an international tournament. It seems a strange quirk where people make history, but have to wait seven months for the next step. Last December, these players became heroes and now seven months later the first match happened in Switzerland.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Starting XI against the Netherlands were:
Olivia Clark Rhiannon Roberts Gemma Evans Esther Morgan
Josie Green Angharad James Hayley Ladd Lily Woodham
Ceri Holland Jess Fishlock Hannah Cain
It would be remiss of me not to mention the bench on this occasion:
Safia Middleton-Patel, Poppy Soper, Charlie Estcourt, Ella Powell, Alice Griffiths, Sophie Ingle, Lois Joel, Rachel Rowe, Kayleigh Barton, Elise Hughes, Carrie Jones and Ffion Morgan.
Embed from Getty Images23 Cymru heroes that have already done so much for this country, got to walk out on the big stage. Hearing an emotional rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau on this occasion was too much for one fan in the crowd. He was caught on camera wiping away a tear and quickly became an internet sensation! Our own Dai, even making the BBC end montage!
I will go into the goals with a bit more detail, but for once the result didn’t seem to matter. Cymru was there in the Tournament. Cymru Women were on wall-charts, sticker albums, murals painted on walls up and down the country. We knew this was a very difficult group, up against three of the best sides in the world. We are so proud of this team, wherever they come in the group. We couldn’t be any prouder.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnyway, to the goals. Cymru held firm during the first half, right into the dying minutes of added-on time. Then at 45+2 on the clock the peerless Vivianne Miedema, picked up the ball just outside the left hand corner of the box. She cut inside, then outside and with her right boot fired a curling rocket past Olivia Clark. A stunning goal to mark Miedema’s 100th goal for the Netherlands.
Embed from Getty ImagesConceding a goal so late in the first half is always a body blow. A blow which Cymru didn’t seem to recover from, because three minutes into the second half, a long ball cut through the Cymru defence and was picked up by Daniëlle van de Donk. Her low cross found Victoria Pelova who calmly flicked the ball up with her left foot and volleyed home with her right from close range. Another great finish by the Dutch.
The third and final goal came nine minutes later, after hitting the crossbar the Netherlands still managed to pass the ball around the box somehow keeping possession, a cross by Victoria Pelova landed at the feet of Esmee Brugts at the far post to volley home. Another well worked goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesA disappointing result? Yes and no. Yes it’s true that we never like to lose no matter who the opponent is or the competition. But at the same time how can we be disappointed with what these women have already done for our country? The thousands of Y Wal Goch members who went to the game and sung from first minute till last, will no doubt be there on Wednesday against France and in greater numbers when we meet our neighbours on the 13th July.
Embed from Getty ImagesDiolch Rhian and the back room staff, and diolch Angharad James and the rest of the players. Bring on the French!