LIONESSES GLOOM AT ORANJIEBOOM
TWO Arsenal players helped to send England’s Lionesses crashing out of the Women’s Euros last night.
Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk hit the Dutch goals and a Millie Bright own goal in injurytime sent Holland wild and England into despair.
The Dutch now face Denmark, who beat Austria on penalties in the other semi-final, in this stadium on Sunday.
Both teams had gone into the match with four wins from four, the only 100 per cent records in the tournament.
England coach Mark Sampson had been forced into a midfield change, with Jill Scott suspended. She was replaced by veteran playmaker Fara Williams, who was winning her 165th cap.
The midfielder, one of six Arsenal players in the match, was the only survivor from the 2009 semi-final between these teams, won by an extra-time Scott goal.
In Sampson’s only other switch, Siobhan Chamberlain, who was on the bench that day, replaced injured keeper Karen Bardsley.
England’s 1,000 fans were hugely outnumbered in the FC Twente Stadion in Enschede.
With their men failing to qualify for Euro 2016 and struggling to make 2018 World Cup, the Dutch had been desperate for their women to restore national pride.
A sea of orange engulfed Enschede, but the FA had responded by bringing in the England band.
However, they were drowned out by the home support as the Dutch settled first.
In a pattern so familiar to fans of the men’s team, England struggled to keep the ball. The Dutch looked much more comfortable and deservedly took the lead after 22 minutes, following a sweeping 14-pass move. The ball was worked wide to former Chelsea player Jackie Groenen whose deep cross to the far post was headed back across goal by Miedema. As it bounced awkwardly, Bright tried to clear, but could only deflect it in. It was the first time England had been behind in a match since March. They responded strongly, with shots from Fran Kirby and Ellen White. The latter led to a corner from which Jade Moore headed goalwards. Like Bright, Sherida Spitse got in a fix trying to clear, but she was luckier, hooking the ball against the post. England pressed again in the second half, with Kirby stretching Sari van Veenendaal. But Chamberlain was also in action, denying Liverpool team-mate Shanice van de Sanden after Groenen had burst through. A lucky equaliser almost came England’s way as the hour approached. Kirby dribbled into the area and, as the defence tried to clear, the ball cannoned off White towards goal. But Van Veenendaal was quick to save. Then came Williams’ horror moment. Trying to send the ball back to Chamberlain she headed it to Van de Donk who scored calmly. The sad end came when Lieke Martens’ shot at goal was deflected in by Bright... and England were out.