With the second half of the FIH Hockey Professional League 2024-25 quick approaching, we’re catching up with gamers and coaches of all 9 males’s and girls’s groups to take the temperature on the primary half of their season and discover their targets for the remaining matches. In right now’s interview, we converse with Thierry Brinkman, captain of the reigning Olympic champions, Netherlands males’s hockey crew, as they discover themselves fourth on the factors desk, simply two factors off the lead…
How do you look again on the primary a part of the FIH Hockey Professional League season?
Earlier than the season began, it was already clear to us that after successful Olympic gold in Paris, a special interval was coming for us. Some gamers took an prolonged interval of relaxation, and a number of other gamers have been additionally injured. It’s a post-Olympic 12 months in order that is smart and you retain it in thoughts. This gave some new gamers the possibility to coach and play matches with the Dutch crew.
I didn’t go to Australia for the FIH Professional League matches in Sydney. In reality, I participated within the Hockey India League in January. I did play the FIH Professional League matches in opposition to Belgium and Germany within the Netherlands in November and December. It was very particular to step onto the hockey area as an Olympic champion in your individual nation. Hockey within the Netherlands was extra widespread than ever at the moment and you’re feeling that as a participant.
What are your expectations for the upcoming Professional League matches within the Netherlands and England?
Will probably be an intense however very good month with many nice matches in a brief time period. A big a part of the matches we play within the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam in entrance of our personal crowd. Taking part in a match in your individual nation in entrance of your individual viewers in a full stadium is at all times an incredible expertise. But additionally in England hockey lives enormously and the English crew is in good condition, in order that additionally guarantees to be lovely and thrilling matches.
Are you already working for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026?
We’re pleased to have certified for the World Cup as a result of that offers us peace of thoughts. As a result of the World Cup can be performed within the Netherlands and Belgium, we’re routinely certified because the organizing nation. The World Cup is the following huge purpose we’re working in the direction of. Subsequent summer time we should begin the World Cup high match, so meaning you undoubtedly need to be engaged on it already now.
Do you may have any message in your followers?
We try to get all followers to get pleasure from spectacular hockey. Not solely the followers sitting within the stands of Wagener Stadium in June, but in addition all of the worldwide followers who observe us in different methods. We hope everybody goes to get pleasure from our manner of enjoying.
For extra data and full match schedule go to the FIH Hockey Professional League web site.
