"VAN" (Sports Desk - 15.05.2025) :: With the second half of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 fast approaching, we are catching up with players and coaches of all 9 men’s and women’s teams to take the temperature on the first half of their season and explore their targets for the remaining matches. In today’s interview, we speak with Thierry Brinkman, captain of the reigning Olympic champions, Netherlands men's hockey team, as they find themselves fourth on the points table, just two points off the lead...
How do you look back on the first part of the FIH Hockey Pro League seasonb
Before the season started, it was already clear to us that after winning Olympic gold in Paris, a different period was coming for us. Some players took an extended period of rest, and several players were also injured. It's a post-Olympic year so that makes sense and you keep it in mind. This gave some new players the chance to train and play matches with the Dutch team.
I didn’t go to Australia for the FIH Pro League matches in Sydney. In fact, I participated in the Hockey India League in January. I did play the FIH Pro League matches against Belgium and Germany in the Netherlands in November and December. It was very special to step onto the hockey field as an Olympic champion in your own country. Hockey in the Netherlands was more popular than ever at that time and you feel that as a player.
What are your expectations for the upcoming Pro League matches in the Netherlands and England?
It will be an intense but very nice month with many great matches in a short period of time. A large part of the matches we play in the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam in front of our own crowd. Playing a match in your own country in front of your own audience in a full stadium is always a great experience. But also in England hockey lives enormously and the English team is in good shape, so that also promises to be beautiful and exciting matches.
Are you already working for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026?
We are happy to have qualified for the World Cup because that gives us peace of mind. Because the World Cup will be played in the Netherlands and Belgium, we are automatically qualified as the organizing country. The World Cup is the next big goal we are working towards. Next summer we must start the World Cup top fit, so that means you definitely have to be working on it already now.
Do you have any message for your fans?
We are trying to get all fans to enjoy spectacular hockey. Not only the fans sitting in the stands of Wagener Stadium in June, but also all the international fans who follow us in other ways. We hope everyone is going to enjoy our way of playing.
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