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The Red Lions failed to win the Pro League for the second time. The Netherlands were due to beat the Netherlands on Tuesday night in Antwerp, but for the second time this week a very efficient Orange prevailed: 2-4. Two defeats from which we can certainly learn lessons for the European Championship in August.
The fourth edition of the Pro League achieved the perfect climax for the men on Tuesday evening with a direct duel between Belgium and the Netherlands for the final victory. The Lions needed to win to win the Pro League title, the Netherlands needed a draw. The troops of national coach Michel van den Heuvel still had enough to raise the bar against Orange. After all, Saturday was heavily lost (1-6).
This time, Tom Boon, Gauthier Boccard, Nicolas de Kerpel and Sébastien Dockier were not on the score sheet. Besides Arno Van Dessel, young people like Thibeau Stockbroekx, Maxime Van Oost, Willam Ghislain and Nelson Onana were able to show themselves again. John-John Dohmen, who equaled Dutchman Teun de Nooijer’s world caps record (453), wore the captain’s armband.
The match did not start well for the Belgians. A rare mistake by Arthur de Sloover in defense puts Thijs Van Dam on the way to the opener (0-1). In the second quarter, the Belgians entered the game much better and the chances followed. William Ghislain, Thibeau Stockbroekx and Florent Van Aubel did not pass goalkeeper Blaak, however. A goal was inevitable and Alexander Hendrickx managed to equalize from a second Belgian corner. That 1-1 scoreline was only on the scoreboard for two minutes. Now the Netherlands hit a penalty corner via Jip Janssen: 1-2 and the Belgians again had to press on. Before the break, the Lions even swallowed a third goal. A Dutch free kick landed perfectly in the circle via Arthur Van Doren’s stick and Thierry Brinkman scored. Rest: 1-3.
The mission for the Belgians after the break: to score three goals. The second half couldn’t have started better for the Lions. The inevitable Hendrickx scored again from a penalty corner: 2-3. In an intense match – the Lions played much better than on Saturday – the Belgians fought for the equaliser. The Lions had chances, but a 47-minute goal from Boris Burkhardt gave the final blow: 2-4.
Due to this defeat, the Belgians are in third place in the Pro League with 30 points after the Netherlands (35 points) and Great Britain (32 points).
The twelve Pro League matches of the past few weeks have formed the preparation for the Lions’ last main objective: the European Championship in August in Mönchengladbach. The Belgians are in a group with England, Spain and Austria. The European champion immediately won his ticket for the 2024 Games in Paris.
The Fighting Panthers take the Pro League podium: 1-2 against the Netherlands
The Red Panthers played their second game for the Pro League against world and Olympic champions Netherlands on Tuesday in Antwerp. On Saturday, the Belgian women’s hockey team held out until seven minutes before the final whistle, but then the Dutch team scored: 0-2. Just like three days ago, the teams also entered the half 0-0. The dominance in those first thirty minutes was for the Netherlands, who decorated five penalty corners. Late in the first half, the Panthers had a great chance. Delphine Mariën, however, came out wide after a very clever action.
Also in the second half, the most dangerous actions initially came from the Netherlands, but at minute 41 the goal fell on the other side. Delphine Mariën, 21, won again and after a solid solo she beat goalkeeper Veenendaal: 0-1 for the Panthers! However, this lead remained only four minutes on the clock. On an eighth Dutch corner, Yibbi Jansen defeated goalkeeper Elena Sotgiu (1-1).
The Panthers had to take a point to get on the Pro League podium, but Jansen shattered that dream with another corner in the 52nd minute. With great dedication, national coach Raoul Ehren’s players went for the equaliser, but the deserved equalizer did not come.
On Wednesday, the Panthers ended their Pro League campaign at 8:40 p.m. with a game against the United States. If they win, they will finish in fourth place.
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