Spain convincing winners in Amsterdam

Report from Spanish Federation

José Antonio Barrio 's players once again made clear their clear superiority over the Dutch, who could do little in the face of the gale of play and tries (eleven in total) by the current continental champions. With this result, the Spanish will play for their ninth title in Madrid against Russia next week.

“Yunque” took advantage of the visit to the Netherlands to continue giving another chance to several of the Lionesses who already made their debuts little over a week ago in Majadahonda against Colombia. In addition he selected several players with extensive experience, including Patricia Garcia, Anne Fernández de Corres, María Calvo, Anna Puig, María Losada, Lucía Díaz and Olivia Fresneda

Nuria Jou, Bruna Elías, Clara Piquero, Julia Castro, Aleu Cid, Zahía Pérez and Cris López , the seven debutants, responded with flying colors to the challenge that Yunque put before them , demonstrating their maturity, talent and spirit.

The Lionesses started the game by putting the Dutch under pressure, taking advantage of the very strong wind in their favour. A deep kick by Patricia García was the origin of the first Spanish try, in which two of the debutantes were involved. Bruna Elías who began the move and Clara Piquero, who scored.

The Spanish constantly put pressure on the Dutch, forcing errors, and thus preventing them from giving inside their own 22. Another two tries were scored before the quarter hour. Bruna Elías, very active in those first sets, helped Patri García to her 42nd try and immediately after Beth Segarra who took advantage of a run from Léa Ducher.

The best minutes for the Dutch team came in the final minutes of the first period and the opening of the second, but were not enough to break the Lionesses defence

The Dutch have a powerful pack led by Sylke Haverkorn and at least on one occasion almost got the better of the Spanish. But the Lionesses managed to stop that Dutch momentum and, despite having the wind against them during the second leg, turned the game around.

The last quarter of an hour clearly showed the superiority of someLeonaswho ended up passing by the tiring Dutch, absolutely exhausted by then, and easy prey for the speed and forcefulness of Clara Piquero, Julia Castro, Olivia Fresneda, Zahía Pérez and Anna Puig.

Referees: Doriane DOMENJO (FRA) ; principal / Melissa LEBOEUF (FRA) and Alexandra FERRE (FRA) ; linieres

Spain: 1. Marta ESTELLÉS, 2. Nuria JOU, 3. Sidorella BRACIC, 4. Anna PUIG, 5. Carmen CASTELLUCCI, 6. Olivia FRESNEDA, 7. María CALVO, 8. María LOSADA | 9. Lucía DÍAZ, 10. Anne FERNÁNDEZ DE CORRES (C), 11. Clara PIQUERO, 12. Patricia GARCÍA, 13. Bruna ELÍAS, 14. Beth SEGARRA, 15. Léa DUCHER.

Replacements: 16. Laura DELGADO, 17. Iciar POZO, 18. Aleuzenev CID, 19. Mónica CASTELO, 20. Lourdes ALAMEDA, 21. Julia CASTRO, 22. Zahía PÉREZ and 23. Cris LÓPEZ.

Netherlands: 1. Nicky DIX, 2. Lynn KOELMAN, 17. Jara BUNNIK, 21. Mhina DE VOS, 5. Michaja VAN CAPEL, 6. Liza DE WILD, 7. Judith FRINKING, 8. Inger JONGERIUS (C) | 9. Esmee LIGTVOET, 10. Jet METZ, 11. Merel DE GROOT, 12. Quen MAKKINGA, 13. Hiske BLOM, 14. Noa DONKERSLOOT, 15. Jordan HEIL.

Replacements: 25. Anouk VEERKAMP, 26. Irene JANSEN, 18. Brechtje KARST, 4. Shereza POOL, 24. Isis TOUW, 20. Inge Maria VAN DER VELDEN, 22. Lieve STALLMANN, 19. Flore VOOGD.

Scores: Min 2, Clara PIQUERO Try and P.GARCÍA Conversion 0-7 // Min 8, P.GARCÍA Try 0-12 // Min 15, B.SEGARRA Try and P.GARCÍA Conversion 0-19 // Min 45, Essay L.DUCHER 0-24 // Min 55, Essay Anna PUIG and Conversion P.GARCÍA 0-31 // Min 60, Essay Zahía PÉREZ 0-36 // Min 66, Essay J.CASTRO and Conversion L.DUCHER 0-43 // Min 71, Essay M.CASTELO and Conversion L.DUCHER 0-50 // Min 76, Essay C.PIQUERO 0-55 // Min 78, Essay O. FRESNEDA and Conversion L.DUCHER 0-62 / / Min 80+3, A.PUIG Try and L.DUCHER Conversion 0-69

Stadium: National Rugby Center (Amsterdam) . 200 spectators.