The highly anticipated clash between England and the Netherlands at the Women's Euro 2025 has added spice due to the personal connection between two of the game's biggest stars. Vivianne Miedema, the prolific Dutch striker, has declared her unwavering commitment to securing a victory for her nation, even if it means potentially eliminating her partner, England's Beth Mead, from the tournament.
Miedema, who recently scored her 100th goal for the Netherlands, emphasized that their relationship would be put on hold during the match. "The golden rule tomorrow is we can talk about anything, just not football," Miedema stated. She further added, "We will not be friends tomorrow. If it's not a nice moment for Beth, it is not a problem for me. I will be very happy tomorrow [if Netherlands go through]".
The stakes are incredibly high for both teams. England, the reigning champions, are in danger of being knocked out of the Euros after just two games if they lose to the Netherlands. The Netherlands, who won the Euros in 2017, are looking to secure their spot in the quarter-finals with a win.
Miedema acknowledged the numerous connections between the two squads, including Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman leading the Lionesses and several Dutch players who play or have played in England. However, she dismissed any notion that England might be vulnerable, stating, "They have so much quality and we have to be at our best to get a result". She also recognized the challenges England faces as defending champions, noting the difficulty of maintaining peak performance after winning a tournament and reaching a World Cup final.
The relationship between Miedema and Mead has been a topic of public interest. The two began dating while playing together at Arsenal. Miedema and Mead have a rule of not discussing upcoming matches to separate their personal and professional lives.
Despite their close bond, both players are fiercely competitive and focused on their respective teams' goals. Miedema's determination to do everything possible to help the Netherlands win, even at the expense of her partner's team, highlights the intense rivalry and high stakes of the Women's Euro 2025.
