| Date: Saturday 23rd July Venue: New York Stadium, Rotherham Kicking off: 20:00 CET |
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Netherlands boss Mark Parsons says he’s still waiting for a “goosebumps” performance from his side as they prepare to face France in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals in Rotherham.
The defending champion lost to Lieke Martens a foot injury but Vivianne Miedema is back from a bout of Covid.
“We didn’t go up in flames like France, Sweden or England. We had to grow and take a beating,” said Parsons of England.
The winner meets Germany next Wednesday in the semifinals of Milton Keynes.
France – who have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the Euros – are third in the world, with the Netherlands fourth. Sweden, the best team in Europe, meet hosts England in the other semi-final.
Sarina Wiegman led the Dutchwoman to Euro 2017 but left her to take charge of England last year and Parsons replaced her.
“We’re still waiting for that performance where we all say we’ve reached a level that gives us goosebumps. The last six months have been the way it has been,” he said.
Both teams won two of their group games, the other draw.
France coach Corinne Diacre said: “We are in a different scenario from the three group games. We’re going to take it easy – on the other hand with a sledgehammer, because it’s absolutely necessary to win this game.
“We expect a game from two committed teams, but also an open game in which both teams want to score goals. I hope it will be an interesting spectacle for the fans.”
That’s what Dutch defender Dominique Janssen said ` World Football Podcast: “Everyone is upset about it [Martens’ injury] but life goes on and we must move on.
“She went home. For her it was the best she could do and if I was in her situation I totally understand why she left. She just needs to focus on her recovery now, not just the body but the mind as well.
“She [Miedema] is definitely very happy to be out of her room and we are also very happy to have her back on the pitch because she has very special qualities.”
Data analysts Gracenote say this is the tightly matched quarterfinals. They give France a 54% chance of promotion.
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