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SCHC’s Maud van den Heuvel and Den Bosch’s Babs Reijnen and Lieve Wijckmans all played their part as the Netherlands defeated Argentina 2-1 in the women’s Junior World Cup final to reaffirm their historical dominance in the category.
All three will be hoping to carry that momentum through to the new year when they could play starring roles for their clubs at the ABN AMRO EHL FINALS.
The Dutch side reached a record sixth world title and completed a third consecutive crown following their triumphs in 2022, 2023 and now 2025.
Van den Heuvel was one of the stars of the event, scoring three goals and earning the player of the match in the semi-final.
For Wijckmans, she played in the three group games before picking up an injury with her club mate, Reijnen, ultimately, coming into the squad for the final.
There, the Dutch settled the match in the first half with a goal from a penalty corner and another from open play, then protected their narrow lead in the decisive stages through a very compact defensive structure.
The final opened with sustained attacking pressure from the Netherlands, who asserted control from the outset and dictated play in the attacking half.
Following a scoreless first quarter shaped by patient build-up and constant presence around the circle, the breakthrough arrived in Q2 when Ivy Tellier converted from a corner in the 24th minute.
That territorial control was swiftly translated into a second goal, as Guusje Moes finished from open play in the 27th minute to double the advantage.
Lara Casas pulled one back in the 37th minute to return Las Leoncitas to the title fight.
From that point on, the South American side took territorial control, built sustained attacking sequences and applied high pressure, combining circulation with repeated circle entries.
The Netherlands opted to drop into a very compact defensive block, defending deep near their circle, prioritising space control and relying on isolated transitions without sustained counter-attacking volume.
That structural solidity allowed them to absorb Argentina’s pressure in the final stages and protect their narrow lead, securing a third consecutive world title.
Player of the Match Ivy Tellier said after the final: “I think we played an incredible game. We were very strong and stayed patient, waiting for the right moments. Against a great team, that was vital for us.”
Belgium, meanwhile, won 5-1 against China to take bronze with four goals in the third quarter proving the decisive input.
It meant a second successive third place finish for the Belgians in just their fourth appearance on this stage.
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