The roster of Dutch team finalised for Olympic Qualifier in Turkey – Volleyball news
Gido Vermeulen, the head coach of Dutch Women’s National Volleyball Team, disclosed the 14-player roster on Sunday, April 22.
The players have been shortlisted after a strict evaluation and analysis of their previous performances.
Laura Dijkema and Kim Staelens have been selected as the setters. Janneke van Tienen and Myrthe Schoot will serve as the defensive experts, while Nicole Koelhaas, Robin de Kruijf, Caroline Wensink, and Quinta Steenbergen have been included as the middle-blockers.
Furthermore, Maret Grothues, Debby Stam-Pilon, Lonneke Slöetjes, and Angelique Vergeer will play under the tag of outside hitters. Two opposites of the team include the names of team captain Manon Flier and Judith Pietersen.
Anne Buijs and Femke Stoltenborg were also two strong contenders to be put on the roster of Dutch team but they could not make it to the team for Olympic Qualifier on account to injuries. Vermeulen explained the reason for dropping them.
He stated, “Anne and Femke were both not fit as they got back to the Netherlands. Femke is struggling with a sprained ankle while Anne suffers some shin pain.”
The Olympic Qualification tournament for European teams is set to take centre stage in Ankara, Turkey on May 1. A total of eight teams will be on board to vie for the Olympic ticket. Netherlands will compete in Pool B alongside teams from Russia, Serbia,
and Poland.
On the other hand, teams from Germany, Croatia, Bulgaria, and host Turkey will play in the Pool A. The Baskent Sports hall in TVF Complex in Turkey will play host to the influential campaign.
The Dutch team is expected to travel to Turkey on coming Thursday, April 26. In the wake of Olympic Qualifying tournament, the Dutch will also play two friendly matches with Bulgaria before travelling to Turkey. Both friendly matches will be hosted by the
Netherlands. The city of Almere will set up the field for play for first match on Monday, while the second match will be played on Tuesday at Barneveld.
In this regards, the head coach Vermeulen shared his thoughts. He said, “There we will test if the changes we have undergone in the past weeks are paying back and check our team work. I invite all Volleyball fans from the Netherlands to join these matches
to cheer on our girls as they start their campaign to make it to the Olympics.”
The friendly matches will give the final touch to Dutch team’s training for the Olympic Qualifier. The Oranjes of Netherlands are quite hopeful to do well in the upcoming tough challenge. The Dutch mentor has picked out the best athletes for his team and
has high hopes to earn Olympic Qualification with the current set of players.
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