The Netherlands women’s national water polo team is entering the final and most intensive phase of its preparations for the upcoming European Championship, with a packed January schedule that underlines both ambition and expectation.
TeamNL will open the new year with a high-level joint training camp alongside the United States from January 5–9 in Rotterdam, providing a valuable benchmark against one of the world’s leading programmes. Two international friendlies are scheduled during the camp:
- January 8 (20:00) at De Peppel, Ede
- January 9 (20:00) at Zwemcentrum Rotterdam
Both matches will see the Dutch face the USA, and both fixtures are completely sold out, reflecting the growing profile and popularity of women’s water polo in the Netherlands.
Following the U.S. camp, the squad will travel to Italy from January 19–22 for a final training block, traditionally used by head coach Evangelos Doudesis to sharpen tactical details and settle combinations ahead of major tournaments.
The team departs for Madeira on January 23, where the European Championship will get underway. The Netherlands begin their campaign on January 26 against Great Britain, before facing Switzerland (January 27) and Israel (January 29) in the group stage.
Pre-selection TeamNL Women
- Bente Rogge (ZV De Zaan)
- Lieke Rogge (ZV De Zaan)
- Fleurien Bosveld (Alimos)
- Lois den Ouden (ZV De Zaan)
- Sabrina van der Sloot (GZC Donk)
- Maartje Keuning (GZC Donk)
- Britt van de Dobbelsteen (Olympiakos) (GK)
- Sarah Buis (GZC Donk) (GK)
- Nina ten Broek (CN Terrassa)
- Simone van de Kraats (Sabadell)
- Laura Aarts (CN Catalunya) (GK)
- Lola Moolhuijzen (Vouliagmeni)
- Kitty-Lynn Joustra (Vouliagmeni)
- Maxine Schaap (SIS Roma)
- Pien Gorter (BVSC)
- Noa de Vries (FTC)
- Christina Hicks (ZV De Zaan)
- Kiara Heerink (Polar Bears)
- Linde Haksteen (Polar Bears)
- Feline Voordouw (University of California, Berkeley)
Dutch pedigree and expectations
The Netherlands head into the championship as one of Europe’s benchmark teams. The Oranje women are six-time European champions, most recently claiming gold in 2024 with a flawless 6-0 record, underlining their status as a side capable of controlling tournaments from start to finish. With a core of experienced internationals playing at top clubs across Spain, Italy and Greece, blended with emerging talent from the Dutch league and NCAA system, Doudesis’ squad arrives in Madeira with clear medal ambitions once again. The January camps, particularly the tests against the United States, will be crucial in fine-tuning a group aiming not just to defend its European standing, but to set the tone for the next Olympic cycle.
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