I think it's going to be a tough first match for the Netherlands, who were runners-up in the 2019 Women's World Cup and are hoping to come back with the Cup this year, against Portugal.
The absence of goal-scorer Medeama due to injury will have a serious impact on the Netherlands, but fortunately, they have a number of players in the squad with good quality, including Martens and Berenstern, who can provide a goal threat for the team, and the creative Wendy Dank, who is responsible for creating chances.
But I think Ruud is the core player of Holland, the new leader of Manchester City, she can play well in the middle of the midfield for the team. She has the ability to deliver with both feet, she is very skillful, and she can score goals, so I expect her to give a brilliant performance in this tournament.
Portugal is improving, and recently they managed to draw with England, and I was impressed by the footwork of their players. Like Holland, their style of play is to keep the ball at their feet, keep rolling passes, and try to find openings at the back of the field to make breakthroughs.
Although this is their first appearance in the final week of the Women's World Cup, they were present in the final week of the last two Women's EHF Cups, and many of them have represented the national team for more than 100 times, so there is no doubt about their experience, so I expect they won't be shy of the stage.
Former Chelsea's Porges plays an important role in the back line, while Dorothee Schwarz plays an important role in the middle of the midfield. I believe they also want to beat Holland, in other words, the strikers Tseiska Scharwer and Deanna Scharwer will press Holland's defense and try to make the opponent make mistakes in order to score a goal.
