Farewell with a Prize: Malissa van Rijn Goes with 'Warm Zaan Nest' for Her Final Prize | Waterpolo.nl
The climax of the season is approaching: ZV De Zaan and GZC Donk will face each other in the final for the national championship. The Zaanse women won the Super Cup and Euro Cup this season, while Donk took the cup. The national championship would be the ultimate reward for both teams. Check out the link for the final program.
Van Rijn after the Euro Cup win
Zaan's Path
For important Zaan player Malissa van Rijn, these are the final matches in her water polo career. A great opportunity to finish with a final prize alongside her successful Zaan teammates. According to the left-hander, success has been a process of several years.
"With the arrival of Mick, a certain path was set. Two years ago, a number of new girls, including me, joined the core of the Zaan team and we further developed the path. It was sometimes a bit of an adjustment, but it's very cool to see how we have grown together over the past two years," the experienced player explains.
"It's no secret to our opponents what we do, but because we execute it very disciplined, it goes very well. As for my role as a left-hander, you bring a certain different strength with you."
The Zaanse women win the Zaan sports elections
Carrying Experience
The important force of ZV De Zaan played ten years in the women's selection of ZVL-1886 before making the switch to CN Catalunya. From 2021, she played two seasons in Spain, where she was captain for a year. Upon her return to the Netherlands, not only did she make an impact on the team with her playing style, but her experience and personality also helped the team, along with other experienced players, during regular and important matches.
"Important matches naturally bring a certain tension. Experience helps me cope with this tension, a bit of self-confidence, but also turning that tension into a certain energy to be used in the game," Van Rijn says, known for her game intelligence, precision in the water, and her ability to make the right choices at crucial moments.
Winning Trophies Never Gets Old
In 2014, Van Rijn was part of the Leiden team that won the national championship for the first time in the club's history. ZVL-1886 defeated GZC Donk 11-10 in the final. Ultimately, the 2016 Leiden Sportswoman of the Year won the KNZB Cup a total of eight times with both De Zaan and ZVL-1886, was twice the national champion with ZVL (2013-2014, 2015-2016), triumphed several times in the Super Cup, and was the best in the Netherlands last season with De Zaan. This year, she also won the Zaan sports elections with the team. The 'secret' to the team's success is its unity.
"It was a nice appreciation for what we achieved last season by winning the cup and the national championship. I think the strength of the team is a mix of a balanced and disciplined team with respect for each other. We have the same goal, with everyone having a different background. A-international, working, and student. This dynamic sometimes requires adjustments, and in that, respect and trust are very important."
The national championship with ZVL-1886
The Final
GZC Donk and ZV De Zaan are evenly matched, with the team from Gouda being the slight favorite. With her filled trophy cabinet and experience in top matches, Van Rijn has no other feeling for her final matches.
"To be very honest, the feeling is no different than usual. There is a reason we have reached the final in this way. We are not changing our preparation. The cherry on top for me was winning the Euro Cup, but winning the national championship would be a very nice way to end and complete the story."
Van den Bree's team remains hungry for more success. The women know what they need to do this upcoming weekend.
"Ultimately, we train all year to be crowned the best team. We know what we have in each other, know our qualities, and we want to show that. A third championship in a row would be a great compliment to the club and a confirmation that the path we have taken is the right one. Winning the trophy would absolutely be a great crown on the season and our efforts."
A Different Life as a Supporter
Van Rijn works as a senior buyer at Leiden University Medical Center. After this season, her sporting intensity will change.
"I am not planning to jump in the water at a lower level for the time being, but I want to try other sports, especially. I have too many ideas, perhaps too many, so I will think about them calmly during my vacation."
The cheerful Van Rijn is sure that her contact with her teammates will continue.
"Being part of a team creates a certain connection and at the same time, structure. I will definitely miss that, but at the same time, I also need a bit less structure and more spontaneity. The team is very special, both in and out of the water. I will no longer be in the water with them, but I will continue to see them outside. Just not almost every day."
She will continue as a supporter of De Zaan with warm thoughts of the good times with her teammates.
Malissa van Rijn's Career
2023-2025 ZV De Zaan
2021-2023 CN Catalunya
2012-2021 ZVL-1886
2012 - 2015 Jong Oranje
EJK Chelyabinsk, Russia
EJK Ostia, Italy
WJK Volo, Greece
ZV De Zaan
National Champion: (2023-2024)
KNZB Cup: (2023-2024)
KNZB Super Cup (2023-2024)
Euro Cup: (2024-2025)
ZVL-1886
National Champion (2013-2014, 2015-2016)
KNZB Cup (2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2017-2018)
KNZB Supercup (2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2018-2019)
Captain (2019-2020, 2020-2021)
