Dutch football Pays Tribute as Spitse Steps Down as Captain
ZEIST, Netherlands – The Dutch women’s national football team is entering a new era as Sherida Spitse concludes her captaincy, prompting reflection from teammates andโ a search for her successor. The announcement marks the end of a โmeaningful chapter for the Oranjeleeuwinnen, with Spitse havingโค led the team through a period of sustained success, including aโ historic โUEFA Women’s Euro 2017 victory on โhome soil.
The transitionโข comes as the team prepares for โขfuture challenges under new national coach Arjan Veurink, who recently selected dominique Janssen as captain for her debut international match.While the identity โof Spitse’s long-term replacement remains โto be determined, current โand former players emphasize the importance of allowing the next captainโฃ to forge โtheir own leadership โstyle, building upon the foundation laid by Spitse. โฃ
Former teammate Anouk Kosterโค acknowledged the void left by Spitse’s departure, stating, “The group will eventually put someone forward. Sherida is now saying goodbye, soโข there is roomโค for โsomeone new to fill it in her own way. And that isโ different from what sherida did.” Koster further highlighted Spitse’s lasting impact, adding, “I think we haveโ really enjoyed Sherida’s way of being in recentโ yearsโฆ From her captaincy and from her as aโ player. She has โฃshown what the Dutchโ team can stand for.”
Goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the pride with wich โany future captain โขwillโข approach theโฃ role. “Whoeverโค it is,โ thay will certainly do it with a lotโฃ of โpride. Everyone โdoes thatโ in their own way, โคincluding Sherida. And the new captain will undoubtedly do that too,” she said. Janssen herself embraced โthe challenge, playfully โขreferring toโค herself asโข “no Sherida 2.0,” signaling an intention to lead authentically.
Spitse’s farewellโฃ follows a team photo taken โขalongsideโค Koster before a 2013 โฃinternational match โagainst Australia, a visual reminder of the team’sโ shared history and the passing of the torch. The Dutch team willโ look to continue its momentum as it navigatesโ this leadership transition โฃand prepares โfor upcoming competitions.
