She is physically strong, lightning fast and has an action that gives opponents a headache. Roos Alkemade (17) is a standout at the European Championship in Lille with the Dutch U18 team. With her length, her drive forward and her wanderlust across the field. ‘When I gain confidence, things happen naturally.’
The beaten path? Nothing for Roos Alkemade. Two seasons ago, she switched from MO16-1 to O18 in the winter because it was better for her development. She believed in that herself. Last season, she did the same: her last year of youth she handed in after just a few months for a spot with HDM Ladies 1. While youth titles were up for grabs, she opted for a team fighting at the bottom of the Tulip big league. For survival, not for prizes.
‘I didn’t hesitate for a second,’ she says, sitting on a chair on the terrace of the hotel in Lille. ‘This was what I wanted.’ That choice proved decisive. Not only did her position change – from midfield to forward – but so did the dynamic. Instead of freedom and attacking, she found herself in a world where space is minimal and every ball counts. ‘Everything moves so much faster than in youth. In the circle, they are literally on your toes. You only score if you really want to.’
Roos Alkemade is congratulated on her first goal of the European Championship. Photo: WorldSportPics
Her style of play is working against her this EC
But that game suits her. She is already physically strong, tall and explosive before the age of 17. But that very thing sometimes works against her at this European Championship. Is it at times a pitfall in Lille. ‘When I’m at speed, a defender can knock me down quickly because it’s hard to stop. In the big league, you never get against something like that. Do they whistle with it. Usually you just get a corner. Here I get it against. I find that irritating.’
Still, the satisfaction about her play prevails. She is efficient, but is critical: it could be sharper. According to her, she still needs too many chances. It’s just not falling yet. I still want to score a goal in the semifinals,’ she grins. That match is against Spain, Friday afternoon at 2:50 pm. The Spanish girls are also a bit skinny and small, so hopefully I won’t get everything against them.
Roos Alkemade with one of her typical actions. Photo: WorldSportPics
Then in the stands are her parents, who have been there all tournament. This time not to drive their scion up and down – the Alkemade family lives in Noordwijk, which is a thirty-minute drive from HDM – but simply as supporters. Meanwhile, her sister, too, is in Lille. ‘Tomorrow my older sister is coming over, along with her boyfriend. Then we are almost complete. Only my brother won’t be there, he’s in Asia.’
Perhaps he will be watching via the livestream. If not Friday afternoon, then Saturday night. Because the teenager is already dreaming on. About the European Championship final. That will be against Germany or Belgium. Then I think I can be myself again. Play hard. I really hope for a hard game. I’m looking forward to that.
Making actions and roaming around
She prefers to play freely. To make actions, use her speed and roam the field. ‘When I get confidence, things happen naturally. Then I don’t think and just go. I don’t want to feel pressure, I just want to enjoy myself.’
Photo: WorldSportPics
Besides field hockey, another thing that kept her busy this past year was her final exams. She passed her vwo, although she hardly believed in it herself anymore. ‘I had checked my exams way too strictly. I really thought I was going to fail because of the 5.5 rule. I was so tense for that bell. And then it turned out I had done just fine.’
It marks her. She is critical. On and off the field. That’s why she is taking a gap year. No studies. But to learn Spanish in Costa Rica, together with Dutch teammate Merle Blaffert. And getting my driver’s license. I live in Noordwijk. Now my parents often drive me to HDM. Or my grandparents. My grandmother lives practically next to the field. She’ll be annoyed later, now dad often visits her after dropping me off’, she laughs.
Focusing on field hockey
But the main reason for the gap year is not because of her driver’s license or a Spanish course. It is because she wants to focus on field hockey. Wants to get as far as possible. To join the Dutch Junior Team as soon as possible and gain a lot more experience in the Tulip big league. She knows what she’s doing it for.
Because if she has experience in anything, it’s in winning prizes. In her bedroom hang medals from championships with HDM. Some in the hall, some on the field. How many there are, she doesn’t dare say. “They all have their own story, though,” she assures. Now she’s chasing a new one. A plaque with Orange.
‘Whether that would be the most beautiful? Maybe so. She stops talking for a moment and taps the table three times. ‘I’m very much hoping for it, but I’m certainly not going to jinx anything.’
Photo: WorldSportPics
