The Netherlands has announced the 16-player preliminary squad for the Netherlands women’s national team ahead of a preparation tournament in Budapest (23–27 June).
From this group, 15 players will be selected to represent the Netherlands at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, scheduled from 11 to 23 July.
Head coach Evangelos Doudesis has retained the core of the squad that won gold at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka and secured bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The group includes several key figures with extensive international experience, as well as emerging talent from both domestic and European clubs.
Among the new faces is 18-year-old Pien Gorter (Het Ravijn), who receives her first senior national team call-up. She joins a competitive and balanced squad that features players active in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Hungary. Not included in the selection are Lola Moolhuijzen and Laura Aarts, both of whom featured at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Doudesis explained the decision, noting that Moolhuijzen is still recovering from injury, while the choice of goalkeepers was based on recent form.
Before departing for Singapore, the team will compete in a three-match series in Budapest, facing Greece on 24 June, hosts Hungary on 25 June, and New Zealand on 26 June. After returning home for a brief training period, the team will travel to Asia on 4 July to acclimatise ahead of the world championships.
In Singapore, the Netherlands have been drawn into Group B, alongside Argentina, the United States, and China. They begin their campaign against Argentina on 11 July (04:35 CET), followed by a clash with the USA on 13 July (14:35 CET), and then face China on 15 July (10:00 CET). All group winners progress directly to the quarter-finals on 19 July, while second and third-placed teams will contest crossover matches on 17 July. The semi-finals are scheduled for 21 July, with the medal matches taking place on 23 July.
The Dutch team will be aiming to build on their recent international pedigree. At the 2024 Olympics, they staged a dramatic comeback in the bronze medal match against the United States, with Sabrina van der Sloot scoring six goals, including a last-minute winner in an 11–10 victory. The preparation period now offers an opportunity to fine-tune form and solidify squad roles ahead of another major international campaign.
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