De Graafschap Women and Hamburger SV Women served up a hard-fought 0-0 draw in an International Club Friendly on 7 August 2026, a result that gave both teams a solid test of European calibre. The match was part of the clubs’ pre-season schedules, offering a high-quality cross-border challenge ahead of their respective domestic campaigns.

A meeting of Dutch organisation and German intensity

The Dutch women’s game has grown rapidly in recent years, and De Graafschap’s women’s section is determined to keep pace with that development. Up against Hamburg’s experienced outfit, they showed no fear. The home side passed the ball confidently and pressed aggressively, while HSV Women relied on their physicality and quick transitions to create moments of danger.

For long periods, the match was played in a tactical stalemate. De Graafschap (W) dominated territory, but Hamburger SV Women defended their box excellently, with the central defensive partnership particularly impressive. At the other end, the German side’s direct approach caused problems on the break, only to be met by an equally determined goalkeeper.

Solid foundations, clear progress

• De Graafschap: Strong ball circulation and a clear desire to play forward, though the final pass often lacked precision.
• HSV Women: Maximised their defensive structure and showed why they will be a tough opponent in league play.
• Goalkeeping: Both keepers were comfortable under pressure, making routine stops look easy.

A goalless draw in a friendly is rarely a headline result, but for these two sides it represented a valuable opportunity. De Graafschap Women will take encouragement from matching a larger German club, while Hamburger SV Women leave with a clean sheet and 90 more minutes in their legs.

Pre-season onward

Friendly matches of this nature are about building understanding and sharpening match fitness. Both coaching staffs will have noted areas for improvement, particularly in the final third, but the defensive foundations laid down in this 0-0 will serve as a solid platform. As the season approaches, both De Graafschap (W) and Hamburger SV Women look like teams that will be hard to beat.