Envious Pauw drives Dutch onward

Netherlands coach Vera Pauw told uefa.com she is "stinking jealous" of her players as they continue to prepare for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ by playing in a friendly tournament in Amsterdam, which kicks off on Saturday.

No comparison
The 46-year-old was one of the pioneers of women's football in the Netherlands, and one of the major players in the foundation of the female Eredivisie two years ago, but never got the chance to play in an international finals tournament. "People ask whether qualifying as a coach makes up for the fact that I never experienced such a tournament myself as a player, but you just cannot compare that – it is totally different," she said. "I am stinking jealous that my girls are going to get to play in such a tournament."

Tears of joy
However, Pauw conceded that players past and present came together to celebrate when the Dutch qualified for their first EURO. "I am proud I have been able to make a contribution to our qualification," she said. "The disappointment of not qualifying in the past added to our drive to make it this time around. When we qualified in October in Volendam, all the former internationals were crying with happiness in the stands. Everyone was really happy for us that after 25 years we finally made it."

Pressure rising
The Netherlands' finals campaign in Finland kicks off with a Group A meeting against Ukraine on 23 August, and their preparations will be ratcheted up another gear as they meet Switzerland, China and South Africa in Amsterdam over the next week. "We are on course, but it is our first finals tournament so we have a lot of things to discover to see how the girls will handle it," said Pauw. "After the four-nations tournament we will be able to assess the progress we have made."

Another bid
Convinced that regular league competition at home has helped to raise the standard of her players, Pauw also revealed that the Dutch would bid to host UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2013™, saying: "It's fantastic that we qualified, and it has really given things a stir at home; it is crucial for the development of women's football. After being candidates to host in 2009, we are now preparing a bid for organising the tournament in 2013, and we really hope – and will do all we can – to get the chance this time."