FIH Pro-League: Belgian and Dutch teams shine during four Pro League openers

Belgium and the Netherlands made a statement on the opening day of the FIH Hockey Pro League, winning all four of their men’s and women’s matches. Dominant set pieces, disciplined defending and eye-catching goalkeeping made up a day on which both countries set the tone early on against tough European and Asian opposition. Individual milestones were also highlighted as Michelle Struijk celebrated her 150th cap for the Belgian women, while Yibbi Jansen celebrated her 100th cap for the Netherlands.

(Men) Germany 1 – 4 Belgium

The 7th edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League kicked off in windy Ireland, with Belgium recording a convincing 4-1 victory over European champions Germany.

The Belgians had the lion’s share of the ball and completely dominated the first half. They created a number of excellent chances before last season’s top scorer Tom Boon put them ahead in the 13th minute with the competition’s first penalty corner. Thomas Crols made it 2-0 six minutes later from a counter-attack, with excellent goalkeeping from Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji being the only thing stopping the Red Lions from taking the lead before half-time.

Crols was given far too much space in the 33rd minute to supplement his brace with a striking field goal before Germany started to apply some pressure themselves. Vincent Vanasch made a number of good saves before Paul-Philipp Kaufmann opened Germany’s account from open play four minutes later. The match started with both teams playing aggressively towards the end of the third quarter, and again only a few good goalkeepers prevented more goals from either side. Alexander Hendrickx then restored the Belgian three-goal with his drag move in the 48th minute. And although Germany rallied to take control of the fourth quarter balance, they failed to get any reward from their five penalty corners in that period.

The player of the match was awarded to Belgian Thomas Crols, who said: “It was a nice match to play. I think it’s tough, I think in Germany we always have to play very physically. The first half we played a very good match, we played together, the second half was a little bit more difficult, but we managed to get the three points.”

(Women) England 0 – 3 Belgium

Michelle Struijk celebrated her 150th cap for Belgium with a 3-0 win over England as the howling winds from Storm Bram battered the venue and stretched the net around the pitch.

Belgium dominated the opening stages before Stephanie Vanden Borre put them ahead with her penalty strike in the 7th minute. The game went back and forth with both sides enjoying periods of attack in a compelling opening half, but excellent goalkeeping from Miriam Pritchard and Elodie Picard ensured no more goals were scored before half-time.

The Belgians took control in the third quarter, earning five penalty corners and doubling their lead when Vanden Borre fired her drag into the bottom left corner in the 38th minute. The pace of the encounter never slowed and England were still in the fight throughout the final quarter, changing their goalkeeper to create a full chance in the final minutes. The plan backfired when Belgian Charlotte Englebert struck into an empty net and the result was beyond doubt in the 58th minute.

Belgium’s Alix Gerniers was named player of the match and said: “We’re actually happy to be playing some games again and I think England are a tough opponent to start with… We had a pretty good game. I think we gave away a little too easy circle entries and big chances, but in the end we scored three goals and I think we have to remember that as the first game.”

(Men) Netherlands 5 – 2 Pakistan

Three goals in the third quarter gave the Netherlands a 5-2 win over Pakistan after the teams went into halftime tied 2-2. Pakistan struck first when Hannan Shahid cut through the Dutch defense from the left, drove into the circle and fired his shot past the outstretched foot of Mauritz Visser.

The Dutch team equalized before the end of the opening quarter, sparked by a pace-setting tackle from Thierry Brinkman who launched an attack from the right. Koen Bijen did well to lead into space and level the score before Timo Boers put them 2-1 up with a penalty corner conversion just before the first break.

Pakistan hit back early in the second quarter with Sufyan Khan firing home from a penalty corner to make it 2-2. But the match ultimately revolved around set pieces. The Dutch team capitalized twice more in the third quarter, with Tijmen Reyenga and Boers each converting penalty corners. Duco Telgenkamp added a smart baseline finish for the Netherlands’ fourth of the period, allowing them to create a final quarter that they comfortably controlled.

Tijmen Reyenga of the Netherlands was named Player of the Match and said: “I think we needed time to get into the match and we did well all the way. We had a great second half. We didn’t know how (Pakistan) would play against us, so I think we did well and anticipated well. We got the three points and can move on.”

(Women) Germany 0 – 2 Netherlands

On her hundredth international appearance, and less than four minutes into the match, penalty corner ace Yibbi Jansen opened the scoring with an unstoppable ball into the bottom corner. Frédérique Matla almost doubled the lead shortly afterwards but her powerful penalty was denied by the outstretched stick of German goalkeeper Finja Starck as Germany struggled to contain the Dutch attack. An excellent reverse-stick tackle from Marleen Jochems resulted in a turnover inside the German 23, and patient, controlled passing between Jochems, Felice Albers and Jossje Burg ended with a strike from Burg to make it 2-0. The Netherlands dominated the opening half with eleven shots, two goals and twice the post.

Germany handled the pressure more effectively in the second half, with much credit going to the excellent Starck, who made a series of sharp saves to frustrate Luna Fokke. The Dutch controlled possession throughout, but took their foot off the accelerator in the final quarter. Their patient build-up play and clever circle entry kept Germany behind, but a goalless second half did little to address the imbalance in chances and territory. The Netherlands nevertheless secured a confident three points and started the seventh FIH Pro League season on a positive note.

After the match, Felice Alberts of the Netherlands was named Player of the Match and said: “I think it was a good match for our team. We scored more goals, but our defense was very good today. Our defense was very good and we are happy with the win. I think both teams are a bit nervous at the start of the Pro League, but in the second half it was much more of an open match, which is good.”

Current hero top scorers:

Women – Stephanie Vanden Borre (BEL) (2 goals)

Gentlemen – Thomas Crols (BEL) (2 goals), Timo Boers (NED) (2 goals)

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.

FIH Hockey Pro League – December 9, 2025

Sports Ireland Campus (IRE)

Gentlemen

Result: Match 1 (M)

Germany 1 – 4 Belgium

Player of the match: Thomas Crols (BEL)

Referees: Hyosik You (KOR), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL), Jonas van’T Hek (NED video)

Women

Result: Match 1 (W)

England 0 – 3 Belgium

Player of the match: Alix Gerniers (BEL)

Referees: Gemma Calderon (ESP), Lizelotte Wolter (NED), Sandra Adell (ESP video)

Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Argentina (ARG)

Gentlemen

Result: Match 2 (M)

Netherlands 5 – 2 Pakistan

Player of the match: Tijmen Reyenga (NED)

Referees: Michael Dutrius (BEL), Jonathan Altamira (MEX), Ivona Makar (CRO-Vedic)

Women

Result: Match 2 (W)

Germany 0 – 2 Netherlands

Player of the match: Felice Albers (NED)

Referees: Ivona Makar (CRO), Kamile Mockaityte (LTU), Jonathan von Hoesslin (RSA video)