Euro 2025: Miedema on Facing Girlfriend Mead in High-Stakes England vs. Netherlands Clash
The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament is set to feature a highly anticipated and emotionally charged match as the Netherlands, led by star striker Vivianne Miedema, prepare to face England, featuring her girlfriend Beth Mead. The pivotal Group D encounter, scheduled for Wednesday, July 9th, at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, carries significant weight for both teams, with England facing potential elimination depending on the outcome and other results in the group.
Miedema, who recently celebrated a remarkable milestone by scoring her 100th international goal in the Netherlands’ dominant 3-0 victory over Wales, acknowledged the unique personal dynamic of the upcoming game. “For once we will not be friends,” Miedema stated in a candid pre-match interview, highlighting the professional intensity of the tournament. She anticipates a challenging emotional landscape, saying, “I don’t think she’ll speak to me for a bit,” if the Netherlands secure a win that impacts England’s progression.
The striker emphasized the competitive nature of professional football and the need to compartmentalize personal relationships during major tournaments. “It’s part of football. It’s part of the game,” she commented, underscoring that while their relationship is strong, their commitment to their national teams remains paramount. Miedema noted that they have faced each other numerous times before, with Mead often emerging victorious. However, she remains resolute in her team’s objective: “As a Dutch player, I will do everything possible to win the game.”
Both Miedema and Mead are powerhouses in women’s football, with distinguished careers that include Euro triumphs. Miedema was part of the victorious Dutch squad in 2017, while Mead was instrumental in England’s triumph five years later. Their journey to Euro 2025 has been particularly commendable, marked by a shared challenge of recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries sustained just a month apart in late 2022. Both players have made remarkable comebacks to reach peak fitness for the current tournament.
The personal connection between Miedema and Mead has also extended to their shared life off the pitch, including their beloved dog, Myle. The cocker spaniel became a beloved figure during the players’ recovery period and was even permitted to join England’s pre-tournament preparations, becoming an unofficial mascot and a source of comfort. While Myle is not accompanying them to Switzerland, the couple’s bond remains a heartwarming aspect of their professional lives.
This personal narrative is not unique in Euro 2025. Denmark’s captain, Pernille Harder, recently competed against her fiancée, Magdalena Eriksson, and their Swedish team in a Group C fixture. While Harder played the entire match, Eriksson remained an unused substitute in Sweden’s narrow 1-0 victory.
As England faces the Netherlands, the match promises not only a high-stakes sporting contest but also a compelling narrative of love, competition, and the unique challenges faced by partners playing on opposing sides in a major international tournament.