Belgium’s Red Lions and Red Panthers eye glory at EuroHockey Championships
This weekend, Belgium’s national hockey squads will be participating in the European Championship in Mönchengladbach. Both the Red Lions and the Red Panthers are aiming to improve on their podium finishes in 2023.
While both teams are among the best on the continent, the Red Panthers are the most likely to be crowned European champions this year. Having won bronze in 2021 and silver in 2023, the Belgian women’s hockey team are aiming for gold in Mönchengladbach.
"The standards we set for ourselves and each other are very high. We would obviously be disappointed if we didn't make the final," said goalkeeper Elodie Picard earlier this month. "We know exactly what we have accomplished and what we are capable of."
However, to win the tournament, Belgium will have to defeat the undisputed champions of women's hockey: the Netherlands. The Dutch women have won the last four European Championships, beating Belgium 3–1 in the 2023 final.
"We know exactly what we have accomplished and what we are capable of"
However, the Panthers have made progress since then. In June, the Belgian women came close to beating the Dutch national team in the Pro League, only conceding a 2–2 equaliser in the closing minutes of the game. This has given the Panthers the confidence that they can go all the way this time.
“I think we are doing everything very well,” said Belgium’s Michelle Struijk. “Now we have to create the ideal situation to win a final. I think we are close. We can feel it.”
Rejuvenated Lions
The Red Lions, meanwhile, finished third at the previous EuroHockey Championship. But many of that team's most important players, including Félix Denayer, Loïck Luypaert and John-John Dohmen, have since retired from international duty.
This has forced Shane McLeod, who returned to the role of head coach after the Paris Olympics, to experiment with a rejuvenated squad. The New Zealander has even chosen to omit veteran goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch from the line-up so that his successor, Loic Van Doren, can gain experience at the highest level.
How far they can go remains to be seen. The Lions have been drawn in an exceptionally difficult group alongside the Netherlands and Spain, who are ranked first and fourth in the world respectively. "There are three teams fighting for two places," said Arthur De Sloover. “We cannot afford any slip-ups.”
However, De Sloover — now one of the most experienced players in the squad — believes that being the underdog may also have its advantages. “It takes pressure off, especially for the youngsters. The other teams will also watch us less closely, which could allow us to catch them off guard.”
The Lions begin their tournament against Austria on Saturday, followed by matches against the Netherlands on Sunday and Spain on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Panthers face Spain on Sunday, England on Monday and Scotland on Wednesday. Only the two best teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
© BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS
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