‘Eva and Margot have been overtaken by the new generation’

Paul van Ass shocked the hockey world when he dropped Eva Drummond-De Goede (266 caps) and Margot van Geffen (265) from his Olympic selection on Tuesday. ‘They are super disappointed. That’s to her credit. They may even be angry. But this is the hard truth,” says national coach.

‘I sincerely hope that one day, one day, they will put their beautiful career ahead of this bad news. They have a wonderful record and they have meant a lot to the Dutch team. But I understand that that is now a rational argument and that it does not count for the time being. I have now taken something away from them.’

Eva Drummond-De Goede was in her last months as an international player. In fact, as a top hockey player. She was preparing for her fifth Olympic Games and a possible fourth gold medal. Paris was her destination. Drummond will retire from HGC after this season and move to South Africa with her husband. She hoped to end her hugely successful career with Olympic gold.

The future of Margot van Geffen is less clear. But her international career also seems to come to an end due to this decision. The 34-year-old defender won two Olympic gold medals and three world titles. She also dreamed of Paris.

“If I know, I have to tell them.”

‘I had no choice. Other players came alongside playing hockey. And certainly in terms of physicality and recovery capacity,” national coach Paul van Ass responds. “Of course they have meant a lot to the Dutch team. But it doesn’t outweigh letting others move on. They have been overtaken by the new generation,” he says. ‘I have now informed Eva and Margot, because I did not want these types of players to lose weight two weeks before the Games. I didn’t think that was nice and they don’t deserve that. If I know, I have to tell them.”

The national coach dropped Lidewij Welten at the beginning of this year. The three veterans together accounted for 778 international matches in the past. And therefore a wealth of experience. Van Ass realizes this better than anyone, but believes that his selection still has the right mix. ‘At the Games you need experience, but also youthful enthusiasm. A Xan [de Waard] and Mary [Verschoor] also have more than two hundred caps. And look at a Felice [Albers]. She doesn’t have that many international matches at all, but she does have Olympic gold. The group has a solid foundation of experience. There is no need for anything on top of that.’

‘Players came alongside’

He realizes that these are painful conclusions for his veterans. But he had no choice. The national coach felt that he had to continue. ‘Margot would have liked to have fought for another four months for her spot, she said. She is also really a fighter. But I felt that hair top-top level was gone. The disappointment was great. I hoped she could get back to her top level. I let her play a lot. But in my opinion it has not been possible to reach the class of the past.’

‘It was slightly different for Eva than for Margot. Of course I brought Eva back. I gave her a chance without any guarantees. That was conscious. I still wanted to see her again. Also because of her record and because of the player she has been. But the hard truth is that, in my experience, I still see that players have come alongside. I’m not going to ask for either of them back in case of sudden injuries to others.’

The new generation

Van Ass is happy that the group and the new generation are developing. ‘Otherwise we would still have Willem van Hanegem in left center and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the striker of our national football team. It is very sad and annoying for Eva and Margot, but I am responsible for the selection. I have to make those decisions. A lot of good is coming through.”

Van Ass recently brought some players into his selection. For example, he gave Maria Steensma, Luna Fokke, Marleen Jochems, Elzemiek Zandee and Rosa Fernig a chance from the Dutch Juniors. But he saw the qualities of Amsterdam striker Fay van der Elst. At the beginning of this week, Mikki Roberts (Tilburg), Daantje de Kruijff (Hurley) and Eline Jansen (Kampong) joined his selection as trainee players.

‘I’m bringing in that three for the period after the Games. They don’t have to take Paris into account. I’d like to see them. I want to get the feeling of the level of talent. See if players have potential. Not everyone I bring in is a hit. They caught the attention of the Dutch Juniors and received good reviews. But it is also girls who stand out to me in the competition. I’m curious to see what they can do.’

Pro League selection becomes Olympic selection

What is also almost certain is that the new trio will not play official international matches. Van Ass wants to play the Pro League matches in June in Amsterdam and Utrecht with the Olympic selection. Of course, subject to injuries. The final selection decisions will be made in the near future.

And Van Ass himself? Due to his selection policy, it seems as if the national coach will stay longer than until the summer. ‘I want to do well at the Games. Do really well. Making a huge impression with my team. If we do, we’ll sit down and watch. I’m not saying I’m going to stop now.’