Denmark finish with a flourish

By Berend Scholten

Denmark, already through to next year's UEFA European Women's Championship, followed up their 6-0 defeat of Belgium at the weekend with an equally comprehensive 5-1 victory against the Netherlands in Katwijk, cementing their position at the top of Group 2.

Hopes dashed
In contrast the Netherlands, whose qualification hopes had been dashed at an earlier stage during the course of what has been a disappointing campaign for them, can only finish fourth in the section behind the Danes, Norway and Spain.

Danish pressure
Denmark demonstrated just why they are considered to be one of the top women's football nations in Europe, putting the Dutch under pressure from the start. However, after taking the lead after 15 minutes through Marete Pedersen, the Dutch equalised with a Marieke Ran effort on 34.

Victory assured
In the final seconds of the first half, however, the Danes regained the lead through Lene Jensen, and she was on the mark again shortly after half-time to make it 3-1 to the visitors. Her namesake, Stine Kjaer Jensen, added two more in a four-minute spell thereafter to put the result beyond any doubt and establish a 5-1 final scoreline.

New coach
The rest of the season will allow the Dutch women to rebuild, unemcumbered by more qualification games, and this will happen under the watchful eye of Vera Pauw who succeeds interim coach, Remy Reynierse.