Relationships under strain as Dutch take on England

ZURICH :Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema goes up against her English partner Beth Mead on Wednesday when the two countries meet in a key clash at the Women’s European Championship in Zurich, but it is not a subject they are talking about.

Miedema, who scored her 100th goal for the Dutch when they comfortably beat Wales 3-0 in their opening Group D match in Lucerne on Saturday, played with forward Mead at Arsenal for seven years but moved to Manchester City last year.

They have been dating since 2022, according to their social media posts, and after being clubmates, were on opposite sides this season following Miedema’s move to Manchester.

“We have a rule that we can talk about anything but not about the match," Miedema told a pre-game press conference.

"I don't know if she's going to start the game, I don't know if she'll come on later. The only thing I know is that we both feel good. Nothing more. Tomorrow we won't be friends on the pitch for a while.

"I'm there as a Dutch person and I'll do everything to win that match. If that's not good for Beth, then I'm happy. It's part of the game. I've often been on the other side, but I'm happy if we can progress tomorrow.

“I don't have a good record against her, but hopefully we can change that,” she added, “but we haven’t played much against each other at both club and national team level.”

A win for the Netherlands would likely condemn the defending champions to early elimination, after England lost their opener to France at the weekend.

“If we beat England and Beth has to go home, then she won't speak to me for a while,” Miedema said laughing. “But that's part of football too.”

Miedema has extensive knowledge of the English game after her time in the Women’s Super League. She