Netherlands impress with 40-goal win against Puerto Rico

03 Dec. 2021

Netherlands impress with 40-goal win against Puerto Rico

Reigning champions the Netherlands recorded the biggest win at the tournament so far against Puerto Rico, who participate in the World Championship only for the second time.

GROUP D 
Netherlands vs Puerto Rico 55:15 (23:6)

It was hardly a difficult test for the Dutch team, who have more quality and experience than their Central American rivals and taught them a good lesson. 

Although Puerto Rico's central back Nathalys Ceballos opened the score, it was her team's only lead throughout the match and only goal in almost 10 minutes, as Netherlands then pulled clear at 7:1. 

Monique Tijsterman's team won the ball with ease and typically scored from fast breaks, so the gap continued to grow. Just 17 minutes into the match, the Netherlands' advantage already reached double digits at 13:3.

"Congratulation to Netherlands, they are one of the favourites at this competition. It was a big experience for us," Puerto Rico's coach Camilo Estevez said after the game. 

While top scorer of the 2019 World Championship Lois Abbingh was rested in the first half, her teammates from Odense Handbold Kelly Vollebregt and Dione Housheer combined for 11 goals, propelling Netherlands to a 17-goal lead.

Estavana Polman, who was back from a severe injury shortly before the tournament, is not yet in her best physical shape – however, the 29-year-old spent about 15 minutes on the court and scored once. 

"I'm happy that the MVP of the previous World Championship is with us. Estavana can always put something extra in the team. I hope she will play more minutes in the next matches, but there's no pressure on her as we have three good centre backs," Tijsterman said. 

Puerto Rico had a shot efficiency of just 35 per cent in the first half and 52 in the entire match, yet each goal against the world champions seemed to make them happy. However, Netherlands did not slow down, as Abbingh entered the court after the restart to score twice. 

As Tijsterman rotated her squad, all 14 Dutch court players found their names on the scoresheet, with Vollebregt and Bo van Wetering being the best scorer with eight goals. 

In minute 54, Netherlands hit the 50-goal mark, becoming the first team at the tournament to do it, and in the end they won by as many as 40 goals. However, the real tests for the title-holders in Spain are yet to come. 

hummel Player of the Match: Bo van Wetering, Netherlands

Photo: RFEBM / J. L. Recio