Lineth Beerensteyn Talks Netherlands Euro Win & Bayern Munich

James Rowe interviewed Bayern Munich forward Lineth Beerensteyn exclusively for WFi.

They spoke about playing for Bayern Munich, her time at ADO Den Haag and FC Twente, and of course representing the Dutch national team which won Euro 2017.

You signed for Bayern Munich in 2017. How are you finding playing for such a big club and are you enjoying your time in Munich?

When you go abroad you anticipate that it will be different. The first thing that you notice is that Bayern Munich is a really professional club and a great football club to play for.

It was great for me to take the step to play my football abroad and I am really happy that I got this opportunity.

We have a really good team with really nice team-mates and a good backroom staff too.

Munich is also a great city where you can do anything you want to. I am enjoying my time at the club so far.

Welcome to the club, Lineth Beerensteyn!@FCBfrauen pic.twitter.com/HETJiB3SsL

— FC Bayern US (@FCBayernUS) May 31, 2017

You played for ADO Den Haag Vrouwen for four seasons (2012 – 2016). You are from The Hague, so how was it for you to play for your local club and how do you look back on your time there?

I had four fantastic years at ADO Den Haag. I won the Dutch Cup twice at a very young age and I learned what winning is, and the whole experience was new.

I managed to pick things up very quickly and I managed to grow as a player in terms of reputation which lead to me being involved in the Dutch national team setup. I still believe that ADO Den Haag are a great club.

You went on to play one season for FC Twente [2016 – 2017]. Did you see a clear difference between ADO Den Haag and FC Twente?

When I made the decision to go to FC Twente I felt that it was time for me to embrace a new challenge and I wanted to go there as it was a good club that played in the Champions League.

I did notice a difference in training which was more demanding due to the fact that I was part of a squad that had better players, and therefore the level improves.

I was only at the club for one season which was short but really nice. I would have happily stayed longer at the club.

I still see some of the people at the club when away on international duty with Oranje.

You were part of the victorious Dutch national team that won Euro 2017 in the Netherlands. As an Dutch international player what matches have stayed with you during your career so far?

My debut is something that I will never forget. Playing a friendly against South Africa in the RKC Waalwijk stadium that is something special because then your adventure with Oranje starts and you become a fully fledged Dutch international.

Also the whole of Euro 2017 has stayed with me because it was fantastic to be a part of it. Even now it’s sometimes unreal to think that we won the European Championship in our own country and it is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

You work hard to qualify for big tournaments and if you can win them it’s great because you play football to win trophies.

You are still young but could you mention who are some of the best players that you have played alongside in your career so far?

That is a good question. We have a good squad of players in the national team.

I don’t really have one or two players but for me it’s the team that we have at international level and our team at club level in Bayern Munich.

You see that they are two teams with a lot of quality. We have players with different qualities and we come together to make a really good team.

Have you played against opponents in matches where a team or opponent has stood out for you at club level or international level?

At international level you have a few countries such as France, England, Germany who all have a lot of quality and they have proven that.

Germany have won a lot of trophies and you notice that when you come up against them how much quality they have.

I also enjoy those matches the most because the better the opponent the more you have to give as a team and it becomes a good match and you learn and become a better player from playing in these types of matches.

Finally, Lineth, who are the managers that have helped you in your career in terms of influence and advice?

I have had many good managers in my career so far even at youth level.

My old managers Joren Tromp and Nolbert de Leeuw at De Jongens, Delft. They are the first two managers that saw my footballing ability and they gave me the chance to develop in the boys team.

I had current Dutch national team manager Sarina Wiegman as my manager at ADO Den Haag and she gave me confidence that I could play at the highest level here in the Netherlands.