The Netherlands capped off one of their best performances at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, sweeping Brazil, 35:27, with the help of an impressive Yara Ten Holte.

Main Round Group IV
Netherlands vs Brazil 35:27 (18:13)

A powerful start to the game with five goals in quick succession gave an additional boost to the Dutch players, which immediately prompted a Brazil team-time out, asking repeatedly for "discipline, discipline, discipline", the key factor which his players were missing in the start of the match. 

Mariana Costa was the first Brazilian player to find a way to the Dutch goal (5:1) and from that moment on, Brazil tried to give their best to narrow the gap. A switch in the goalkeeping department saw Gabriela Gonçalves Dias Moreschi deliver more saves, which opened up an opportunity to reduce the deficit.

As Brazil looked more focused, chances came a lot easier, but they really hit a wall in Yara Ten Holte. The Odense Handbold's goalkeeper added seven saves to her tally in the first half, including some spectacular one-handed saves, which saw the European side take a commanding 18:13 lead at the break.

The Netherlands kept the momentum throughout the whole match, as Brazil looked flustered and lost for words. Once again, Yara Ten Holte kept shining and closed the night with 17 saves at 39 per cent, with her highest percentage being at 47 per cent in the game, on her way to another hummel Player of the Match award.

Dione Housheer and Angela Malestein were hard to stop in attack, scoring 11 goals between them, even though four more players joined the list with four goals. Eventually, Brazil managed to soothe their defeat with the help of Kelly De Abreu Rosa (seven goals) and Marcela Santos Arounian (three goals), but still they conceded their worst loss at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 27:35.

With the win, the Netherlands are virtually through to the quarter-finals thanks to their six-points tally and can confirm their spot in the next phase, as they face Ukraine in the second match of the main round. Brazil will try to get back to winning after two straight defeats against Argentina, in a South American derby.

hummel Player of The Match: Yara Ten Holte (Netherlands)