Daniëlle van de Donk

Daniëlle van de Donk
Van de Donk in 2020
Personal information
Full name Daniëlle van de Donk[1]
Date of birth (1991-08-05) 5 August 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Valkenswaard, Netherlands
Height 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Lyon
Number 17
Youth career
1995–2006 SV Valkenswaard
2006–2008 UNA
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Willem II 47 (5)
2011–2012 VVV-Venlo 18 (8)
2012–2015 PSV/FC Eindhoven 66 (36)
2015 Kopparbergs/Göteborg 13 (4)
2015–2021 Arsenal 96 (28)
2021– Lyon 54 (12)
International career
2006 Netherlands U15 1 (0)
2007–2008 Netherlands U17 7 (0)
2008–2009 Netherlands U19 6 (1)
2010– Netherlands 162 (37)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing the  Netherlands
FIFA Women's World Cup
Runner-up 2019 France
UEFA Women's Championship
Winner 2017 Netherlands
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 December 2024

Daniëlle van de Donk (Dutch pronunciation: [daːniˈjɛlə vɑn ˈdɔŋk]; born 5 August 1991) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Première Ligue club Lyon and the Netherlands national team.[2] She helped her national team to win the UEFA Women's Euro 2017[3] and finish second at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Born in Valkenswaard, Netherlands, Van de Donk grew up playing football with boys. Her uncle noted, "If she started training at FC Eindhoven, she was laughed at by the boys. When she had played 3 balls, they were all silent."[5] She started playing for SV Valkenswaard [nl] at the age of 4[6] and later moved to VV UNA.[7]

Club career

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2008–2011: Willem II

[edit]

At age 17, Van de Donk first played as a professional football for Dutch Eredivisie club, Willem II. She featured for the Tricolores for the next four seasons, playing in 47 competitive league matches and scoring five goals.[2][7] During her first season in 2008, she played eighteen of the 24 matches and scored one goal. In her second season, she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which kept her off the field for several months.[8] She made seven appearances for Willem II during the 2009–10 season and the club finished in third place with a 8–10–2 record.[2] During the 2010–11 season, she scored four goals in 21 matches playing as a starting midfielder.[2]

2011–12: VVV-Venlo

[edit]

Van de Donk signed with VVV-Venlo ahead of the 2011–12 season.[9] She played 18 regular season games, scoring 8 goals as a starter for the club.[2] During a match against Heerenveen, Van de Donk scored a brace lifting her team to a 2–1 win.[10] During a match against PEC Zwolle, she scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute to lift VVV to a 5–4 win.[11] During another match against Heerenveen, Van de Donk scored a second brace helping VVV win 3–1.[12] VVV finished in fifth place with a 6–10–2 record.[13] She also helped VVV reach the final of the KNVB Women's Cup in 2012.[14]

2012–2015: PSV/FC Eindhoven

[edit]

Van de Donk then left Venlo for PSV/FC Eindhoven ahead of Eindhoven's participation in the inaugural season of the Dutch & Belgian BeNe League. With Eindhoven, Van de Donk reached the final of the KNVB Cup of 2014, where she eventually earned a runners-up medal. She racked up an outstanding 30 goals in 53 appearances for the club.[15]

2015: Göteborg

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In June 2015, Van de Donk was transferred to Swedish Damallsvenskan club Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC.[2][16][17] Van de Donk made 13 appearances for the club, scoring 4 goals.[2] During a match on 11 October, Van de Donk scored a brace —the team's only goals — in a 4–2 loss to KIF Örebro.[18] Göteborg finished the 2016 season in sixth place with a 9–8–5 record.[19]

2015–2021: Arsenal

[edit]
Van de Donk (far left) during an Arsenal match, 2020

On 20 November 2015, Van de Donk signed with English club Arsenal of the FA Women's Super League (FA WSL).[20] The move proved successful with her starting in the 2016 FA Cup final on 14 May 2016. Arsenal were eventually crowned champions, beating Chelsea 1–0 at the Wembley Stadium to earn their fourteenth FA Cup title.[21]

On 7 October 2016, Van de Donk signed a new contract with Arsenal[22] and was a starting midfielder in 14 of the 15 games she played. Van de Donk scored three goals helping lift Arsenal to a third place finish with a 10–4–2 record.[23] During the FA WSL Spring Series, she scored two goals in eight matches.[2]

During the 2017–18 season, Van de Donk scored five goals in 18 matches.[2] She scored a brace in the match against Bristol City on 20 May lifting Arsenal to a 6–1 win with the first and last goals of the match.[24] Arsenal finished in third place with a 11–3–4 record.[25]

Van de Donk was instrumental in Arsenal's 2018–19 WSL championship season. She scored 23 combined goals and assists in all competitions. Sports Illustrated described her as "crucial to Arsenal's efforts in trying to recapture a first Women's Super League title since 2012."[26] On 17 November, her double nutmeg went viral on Twitter.[27] Arsenal finished in third place with a 5–0–3 record.[28]

Marking her fifth year with the club, Van de Donk signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in March 2019.[29] Of the signing, Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro said, "She brings a world class attitude and quality that are vital to our team."[26] During the 2019–20 season, she scored five goals in 15 matches.[2] The FA suspended the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, deciding the competition based on points per game.[30] Arsenal finished in third place with a 12–3–0 record and played in the 2019–20 FA WSL Cup, where they eventually lost 2–1 to Chelsea during the 2020 FA Women's League Cup Final.[31]

In October 2020, she was named WSL Player of the Week after her performance in a 5–0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion. Van de Donk scored Arsenal's second goal and had over 60 touches on the ball.[32]

2021–present: Lyon

[edit]

In June 2021, Lyon announced they had signed Van de Donk to a two-year contract.[33] On 5 September 2021, she made her league debut for Lyon against Saint-Étienne. Home against VfL Wolfsburg in the 2024–25 Champions League, Van de Donk scored in the 81st minute, making the final score 1–0.[34]

International career

[edit]
Van de Donk playing for the Netherlands at the 2013 Euros

At the age of 19, Van de Donk made her debut for the Netherlands national team in a match against Mexico on 15 December 2010 at the 2010 City of São Paulo Tournament. She scored her first official international goal in the 2013 European Championship qualifiers against Serbia.[35]

In June 2013, Dutch national team coach Roger Reijners selected Van de Donk for the Netherlands squad for UEFA Euro 2013 in Sweden.[36] The Netherlands squad lost all three of their group stage matches and did not advance at the tournament.

Van de Donk competed at the 2015 FIFA World Cup in Canada under the direction of Reijners.[37] After finishing third in Group A and placing second in the ranking of third place teams, the Netherlands advanced to the knockout round where they faced 2011 champions, Japan and lost 2–1.[38]

On 14 June 2017, Van de Donk was selected as part of the Dutch squad for UEFA Euro 2017 on home soil.[39] She went on to play an integral part in the tournament. In the semi-finals, she scored against England in a 3–0 win for the Dutch. Van de Donk also played in the final against Denmark, where her creative presence helped the Netherlands come away with a victory.[40] After the tournament, the team was honoured by the Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Sport Edith Schippers and made Knights of the Order of Orange-Nassau.[41]

Van de Donk was selected to the final squad for the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France.[42] Ahead of the tournament, ESPN named her to their top 25 player ranking.[43] After winning all three of their group stage matches, the team finished at the top of their group and advanced to the knockout stage.[44] During the Round of 16, the Dutch team faced 2011 champions, Japan, who had knocked them out of the 2015 World Cup. This time, the Netherlands won 2–1 and advanced to the quarterfinals. Of the match, The Guardian called Van de Donk "Holland's best player tonight."[45] The Dutch team faced Italy in the quarterfinal and won 2–1 advancing to the semifinal for the first time in team history.[46] Van de Donk played every minute of the semi-final against Sweden until the team scored a goal in the ninth minute of extra time and won the match 1–0, advancing to the final for the first time.[47] The Netherlands faced 2015 champions the United States and lost 2–0.[48] She also played in the Final. Following the loss, she noted: "The growth [of women’s football in the Netherlands] is ridiculous. If I look at women’s football and the hype, it’s amazing. I think that’s what I’m most proud of, that we got so much respect from the Netherlands."[49]

On 8 October 2019, Van de Donk scored a goal in her 100th international appearance, a 2–0 win against Russia.[7]

On 31 May 2023, she was named as part of the Netherlands provisional squad for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.[50] In the group stage game against the United States, Van de Donk hit her head and received treatment for several minutes. She returned to play wearing a swim cap to prevent bleeding.[51]

Personal life

[edit]

Van de Donk was in a relationship with former Arsenal teammate Beth Mead.[52][53][54] She is currently engaged to Australian footballer and Olympique Lyonnais teammate Ellie Carpenter.[55][56]

Career statistics

[edit]
Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each van de Donk goal.
List of international goals scored by Daniëlle van de Donk[57]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 22 August 2011 Hohhot City Stadium, Hohhot, China  China 1–0 1–1 Friendly
(2)* 1 June 2012 Woezik, Wijchen, Netherlands  North Korea 2–1 4–1 Friendly
2 20 June 2012 Stadion Srem Jakovo, Jakovo, Serbia  Serbia 4–0 4–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
3 6 March 2013 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus  Finland 1–1 1–1 2013 Cyprus Women's Cup
4 17 September 2014 Nadderud Stadion, Bekkestua, Norway  Norway 2–0 2–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
5 20 May 2015 Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Estonia 2–0 7–0 Friendly
6 4–0
7 17 September 2015 De Vijverberg, Doetinchem, Netherlands  Belarus 3–0 8–0 Friendly
8 23 October 2015 Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris, France  France 1–0 2–1 Friendly
9 25 January 2016 Spice Hotel, Belek, Turkey  Denmark 2–1 2–1 Friendly
10 8 July 2017 Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands  Wales 2–0 5–0 Friendly
11 3 August 2017 De Grolsch Veste, Enschede, Netherlands  England 2–0 3–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2017
12 8 June 2018 Shamrock Park, Portadown, Northern Ireland  Northern Ireland 2–0 5–0 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
13 9 April 2019 AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar, Netherlands  Chile 1–0 7–0 Friendly
14 3–0
15 4–0
16 7–0
17 3 September 2019 Abe Lenstra Stadion, Heerenveen, Netherlands  Turkey 2–0 3–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
18 8 October 2019 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands  Russia 1–0 2–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
19 8 November 2019 Bornova Stadium, İzmir, Turkey  Turkey 4–0 8–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
20 6–0
21 7–0
22 23 October 2020 Euroborg, Groningen, Netherlands  Estonia 1–0 7–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
23 2–0
24 27 October 2020 Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri, Pristina, Kosovo  Kosovo 1–0 6–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
25 18 February 2021 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium  Belgium 5–1 6–1 Friendly
26 24 February 2021 De Koel, Venlo, Netherlands  Germany 2–1 2–1 Friendly
27 13 April 2021 De Goffert, Nijmegen, Netherlands  Australia 5–0 5–0 Friendly
28 15 June 2021 De Grolsch Veste, Enschede, Netherlands  Norway 7–0 7–0 Friendly
29 21 September 2021 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland  Iceland 1–0 2–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
30 22 October 2021 AEK Arena, Larnaca, Cyprus Cyprus Cyprus 2–0 8–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
31 26 October 2021 Stadyen Dynama, Minsk, Belarus Belarus Belarus 2–0 2–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
32 27 November 2021 Mestsky Stadion, Ostrava, Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic 1–1 2–2 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
33 13 July 2022 Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, England  Portugal 3–2 3–2 UEFA Women's Euro 2022
34 11 November 2022 Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht, Netherlands  Costa Rica 1–0 4–0 Friendly
35 1 August 2023 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand  Vietnam 5–0 7–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
36 27 October 2023 Goffertstadion, Nijmegen, Netherlands  Scotland 1–0 4–0 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League

* Note: Match not considered as an official friendly.[58]

Honours

[edit]
Van de Donk (holding the trophy) celebrating the league title

VVV-Venlo

PSV/FC Eindhoven

  • KNVB Women's Cup: runner-up 2014[2]

Arsenal

Olympique Lyonnais

Netherlands[40]

Individual

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "List of Players – Netherlands" (PDF). FIFA. 30 May 2015. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Danielle van de Donk". Soccerway.
  3. ^ "England's Euro 2017 dream ends at hands of Van de Donk inspired Holland". The Guardian. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Van de Donk: The whole of the Netherlands is proud". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  5. ^ Nolles, Jurriaan (4 July 2019). "Heel Valkenswaard is trots op Daniëlle". ED. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Arsenal's van de Donk out to prove past doubters wrong in North London derby". Yahoo! Money. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Millington, Adam (8 October 2019). "Daniëlle van de Donk: A look at her past after 100 national team appearances". Vavel.
  8. ^ ""Ja meteen! Het gebeurt zoveel in het vrouwenvoetbal"" (PDF). 6 February 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  9. ^ Lamberts, Marc (27 February 2022). "Eredivisie: Fortuna Sittard and Telstar added to Dutch 2022/23 roster". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Vrouwenteam verliest van VVV Venlo". SC Heerenveen. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Voetbalsters VVV winnen bij Zwolle". L1. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  12. ^ "HEERENVEEN VS. VVV 1 – 3". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  13. ^ "2011–12 Eredivisie Women". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  14. ^ "KNVB Beker Women". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Danielle Van de Donk". Arsenal F.C.
  16. ^ "Speelster Van de Donk naar Zweedse topclub". psv.nl (in Dutch). 26 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  17. ^ "Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC". Göteborg FC.se.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ "GÖTEBORG VS. KIF ÖREBRO 2 – 4". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  19. ^ "2015 Damallsvenskan". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Van de Donk signs for Ladies". Arsenal F.C. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  21. ^ "Carter's stunner earns Arsenal their 14th Women's FA Cup". The FA.
  22. ^ "Danielle van de Donk signs new contract". Arsenal F.C. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  23. ^ "2016 Women's Super League". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Bristol City Women 1 Arsenal Women". BBC Sport. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  25. ^ "2017/18 Women's Super League". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  26. ^ a b c "Arsenal Women Midfielder Danielle van de Donk Signs New Long-Term Gunners Contract". Sports Illustrated. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  27. ^ Yoesting, Travis (17 November 2018). "Your Weekend Needs This Double Nutmeg From Arsenal's Danielle Van De Donk". The 18. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  28. ^ "2017 Spring Series". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  29. ^ "Danielle van de Donk: Arsenal Women midfielder signs new deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  30. ^ "Chelsea named Women's Super League champions, Liverpool relegated". BBC Sport. 5 June 2020.
  31. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (29 February 2020). "Beth England strikes late to win Continental Cup final for Chelsea". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Arsenal star Danielle van de Donk named WSL player of the week". Islington Gazette. 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  33. ^ "ENDLER, BRUUN, VAN DE DONK REJOIGNENT L'OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS | ACCORD DE PRINCIPE AVEC MORRONI". Ol.fr. 21 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Olympique Lyonnais vs Wolfsburg: UEFA Women's Champions League stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  35. ^ "Profile". UEFA.
  36. ^ "Trio miss cut in Netherlands squad". UEFA. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  37. ^ "Reijners kiest WK-selectie Oranjevrouwen" (in Dutch). Royal Dutch Football Association. 10 May 2015. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  38. ^ "Japan beat the Netherlands 2–1 to advance to quarterfinals". ESPN. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  39. ^ "Wiegman kiest Oranjeselectie voor WEURO 2017". onsoranje.nl. 14 June 2017.
  40. ^ a b "Dutch delight: how the Netherlands won Women's EURO". UEFA. 6 August 2017.
  41. ^ "Voetbalsters Oranje geridderd in Den Haag (in Dutch)". NOS.nl. 25 October 2017.
  42. ^ "Sarina Wiegman names Netherlands Women's World Cup squad". KNVB. 10 April 2019.
  43. ^ "WHO WILL RULE THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP?". ESPN. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  44. ^ "Canada's undefeated streak ends in loss to Netherlands and orange wave at Women's World Cup". Toronto Sun. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  45. ^ Murray, Scott (25 June 2019). "Netherlands 2–1 Japan: Women's World Cup 2019 last 16 – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  46. ^ Bogage, Jacob (29 June 2019). "Netherlands vs Italy: Orange makes Women's World Cup semifinals for first time". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  47. ^ "Netherlands v Sweden: extra time in Women's World Cup semi-final – as it happened". The Guardian. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  48. ^ "World Cup 2019: USWNT defeats Netherlands to win fourth title". Los Angeles Times. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  49. ^ "Van de Donk: The whole of the Netherlands is proud". FIFA. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  50. ^ Mark White (5 June 2023). "Netherlands Women's World Cup 2023 squad: 30-player preliminary team named". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  51. ^ jakerosengarten (27 July 2023). "Fans lose it over bizarre World Cup injury treatment". A-Leagues. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  52. ^ Stroude, Will (21 December 2022). "England Lioness Beth Mead and her girlfriend are the 'lesbian Posh and Becks'".
  53. ^ "Meet the 41 out gay and bi soccer stars in the Women's World Cup 2019". Gay Star News. 26 June 2019. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  54. ^ "The 10 Hottest Soccer Couples In The World Right Now". The18. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  55. ^ Lordanic, Marissa (26 April 2023). "Ellie Carpenter's journey back to the World Cup makes it easy to forget she's only 22". ESPN. In her Lyon apartment, partner and teammate Danielle van de Donk was there...
  56. ^ "Voetbalster Daniëlle van de Donk is verloofd met vriendin Ellie Carpenter". NU.nl (in Dutch). 1 January 2024. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  57. ^ "Profile". onsoranje.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  58. ^ "Ruime oefenzege Oranjevrouwen". onsoranje.nl (in Dutch). 1 June 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  59. ^ "Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea: Women's FA Cup final as it happened". The Guardian. 14 May 2016.
  60. ^ Garry, Tom (14 March 2018). "Arsenal Women 1–0 Manchester City Women". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  61. ^ "LYON BAT PARIS ET S'OFFRE LE DOUBLÉ" (in French). 21 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  62. ^ "LYON GARDE SA COURONNE" (in French). 17 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  63. ^ "ET DE 10 POUR LYON" (in French). 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  64. ^ "LYON DOUBLE LA MISE". 28 August 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  65. ^ "Trophée des Championnes 2023 - Finale - Lyon (D1)-PSG (D1) 2-0". Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  66. ^ "Barcelona 1-3 Lyon: OL win eighth UEFA Women's Champions League final in thriller". 21 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  67. ^ "Van de Donk: The whole of the Netherlands is proud". FIFA. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  68. ^ "Finale Algarve Cup tussen Oranjevrouwen en Zweden afgelast" (in Dutch). nu.nl. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  69. ^ "Arsenal trio named in Netherlands squad for Tournoi de France". Islington Gazette. 24 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 9780803240360
  • Postma, Annemarie (2017), De Oranje leeuwinnen: het Nederlands vrouweneftal, Ambo/Anthos B.V., ISBN 9789026337727
  • Raphael, Amy and Gary Lineker (2019), A Game of Two-Halves: Famous Football Fans Meet Their Heroes, Atlantic Books, ISBN 9781760636562
  • Vissers, Willem (2019), Meisjesdromen: van EK-debuut tot WK-finale in tien jaar, Overamstel Uitgevers, ISBN 9789048853489
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