England v Netherlands ‘special’ for Lioness as Lotte Wubben-Moy shares how this Euro 2025 must-win clash carries extra meaning for her and the team. With England’s hopes on the line after a narrow defeat to France, Wubben-Moy urges the Lionesses to “ride the wave” and focus on bouncing back strongly in Wednesday’s Group D encounter against the Netherlands, who opened their tournament with a win over Wales.
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Learning from Past Setbacks
England have faced similar challenges before. At the 2015 World Cup, they lost their opening match to France but fought back to secure a third-place finish, then their best-ever result. Lucy Bronze, a veteran of seven major tournaments, has reminded her teammates of that journey, encouraging them to stay calm and focused despite the early setback.
Riding the Tournament Wave
Wubben-Moy shared that the squad remains composed, recognising that tournaments are never decided on day one. She emphasised that navigating the highs and lows is part of tournament football and that how they handle these moments will shape their mindset for the rest of the competition.
A Personal Connection
Wednesday’s match holds special significance for Wubben-Moy, who is half-Dutch. Her father is from the Netherlands, and many of her family members still live there, making this fixture a deeply personal one for her. She recalled making her England youth debut against the Netherlands, a match they won, and described how games against the Dutch have always been challenging, combining physicality with tactical variety.
Embracing Heritage
Wubben-Moy highlighted the importance of embracing the diverse backgrounds that make up the England team. She feels celebrated within the squad, especially under Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, and values the team’s acceptance of the different cultures and heritages that form their collective identity. This diversity, she believes, is a strength that enriches the team’s spirit.
Clear Where Loyalty Lies
Despite her Dutch roots, Wubben-Moy made it clear to her travelling Dutch family where their loyalty should be on match day. She shared that when asked by Dutch media who her family would support, the answer was clear: they will be supporting her, and that means supporting the England team as they fight to keep their Euro 2025 dreams alive.
