“We are facing a serious challenge,” said Netherlands coach Peter Portengen about what he expects at China 2024 where his side will face Norway, Denmark and the USA in their preliminary group.

But with a bronze medal at their debut world championship in 2022, silver at the 2023 European Championship and becoming one of just a few teams to beat Germany in a two-year period, on their way to fifth at the European Games in Poland a few weeks later, maybe the Dutch are the ‘serious challenge’?

A year ago, the Netherlands had won all three of their preliminary group games at the European Championships 2-0 (vs Portugal, North Macedonia and Ukraine), but then suffered two defeats in a row, against Denmark and Spain (both 1-2). A 2-0 win against Greece in their final main round game was enough to confirm their quarter-final spot, where they saw off China 2024 group opponents Norway 2-0 to set up a rematch against the host nation Portugal in the semi-final.

The Dutch broke host nation hearts, defeating Portugal 0-2, but would fail to top the podium as Germany – on an unprecedented unbeaten run – took a 2-1 win (18:20, 20:14, SO 7:4).

A few weeks later, at the European Games, Norway got revenge, defeating the Netherlands in the quarter-final to end their medal hopes in Poland, despite the Dutch recording a trio of preliminary group wins, with that impressive win against Germany joined by 2-0 victories over Portugal and Greece.

Two years ago, at the 2022 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Greece, the Netherlands earned a silver on their debut, winning their first four games 2-0 (Australia, Uruguay and Argentina in the preliminary group, Norway in the main round), before losing against Brazil (1-2) and Germany (0-2). A quarter-final win over Denmark (2-1), gave Portengen’s side two attempts at a medal, their first, a semi-final 0-2 defeat to Germany, but their second – in the bronze medal match – dispatching Greece 2-1 on their own sand.

Key players for the Dutch at China 2024 include Anna Buter – who finished third in the Greece 2022 top-scoring list (130 points), Isabel Barnard and important defender Amber van der Meij. Goalkeeper Lisanne Bakker, is also integral for the Dutch and one who is in the history books of the sport. She was in the Netherlands’ team for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and was the first-ever scorer of Olympic Games Beach Handball points.

Portengen and his players started their preparation for China back in March with a wide squad selection, eventually distilled down to 10 players, seven of which were part of the squad at Greece 2022. 

Additions to the Greece 2022 squad for China 2024 include 2022 IHF Women’s Youth Beach Handball World Championship silver medallist Josien Van Den Hoek, plus Amber van der Meij, who played in the 2023 European Championship final. Goalkeeper Tess Jansen, who has represented the Dutch youth beach teams, but has yet to make her senior debut, is the new face.

“In Beach Handball, the level of all countries is extremely close and matches are often decided through shoot-outs,” added Portengen. “Because a game can go either way and a few bad minutes can be disastrous, it is difficult to set a specific goal in advance but our aim is to play in a certain way. If we do that well, we have a chance to win against any team.”

Coach: Peter Portengen

Key Players: Rianne Mol, Anna Buter, Isabel Barnard, Amber van der Meij

Qualification information: 2023 EHF Women’s European Beach Handball Championship – 2nd

History in Tournament: 2004-2018: DNQ, 2022: 3rd

Group at China 2024: Group C: Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, USA