Netherlands women's volleyball team beats Dominican Republic as football squad falls to Ireland

The Dutch women’s volleyball team, the Oranjedames, secured a 3‑0 victory over the Dominican Republic in the first week of the Volleyball Nations League, winning the sets 25‑20, 25‑19 and 25‑17. Elles Dambrink led the scoring with 16 points and Jet Kok added 12.

In women’s football, the Oranje Leeuwinnen were defeated 3‑2 by Ireland in a World Cup 2027 qualifying match. After an early lead, Ireland equalised through a penalty by Dominique Janssen and later took the lead with goals from Abbie Larkin and a late winner by Amber Barrett. The loss leaves the Netherlands third in Group B, requiring them to navigate the play‑offs to reach the tournament.

Former international Mandy van den Berg criticised goalkeeper Lize Kops’s saving, saying, "Het is gewoon dramatisch gekeept."