Boon the hat-trick hero for Belgian men while women stumble against England

There were mixed fortunes for Belgium on the third day of the new FIH Hockey Pro League season on Monday.

Tom Boon completed a hat-trick as Belgium’s men held on for a thrilling 4-3 victory over Germany in their showdown in Amsterdam.

Over in Hangzhou, China, the Belgian women dominated much of the match but it was England who emerged as 3-1 winners.

(Women’s) Belgium 1 - 3 England

A young England side made the most of their chances and defended resolutely for a 3-1 win against a Belgian team that dominated all but the most important stats.

The English enjoyed another fast start as Hannah Boss split a pair of defenders, penetrated the circle and popped a neat pass to Lottie Bingham for the opening goal in just the second minute. Belgium survived more pressure when Megan Crowson flashed a good opportunity wide in the fifth minute before fighting back to dominate the half without reward. The Red Panthers were denied twice in rapid succession, first by quick reactions from the excellent Mila Welch in England’s goal, and then by the post. England kept out penalty corners either side of the mini-break, and another as the clock ran down on the half to cling to their 1-0 lead.

The English then extended their lead in the 32^nd minute when Sophia Martin picked out Bingham roaming freely in front of the goalkeeper for her brace. But the Belgians immediately resumed control and had a number of half chances before Vanessa Blockmans finally beat Welch with a slapped penalty corner in the 41^st minute. Delphine Marien then shook her markers to create another golden opportunity for Belgium, but couldn’t steer the ball in, and Welch saved another penalty corner as the third quarter ended.

Belgium carried their attacking momentum into the final quarter and continued creating chances, none better than a penalty corner where Welch barely got her pads together to deny a bullet down the middle from Stephanie Vanden Borre. England then breathed a huge sigh of relief as Darcy Bourne’s drag flick deflected in off the first wave in the 57^th minute to extend their lead, although there was a tense wait while the video umpire checked the height. The Belgians had more chances from open play and a penalty corner at the death, but they couldn’t find a way back and England claimed a hard-fought three points.

The Player of the Match was awarded to Lottie Bingham of England who said: “This means a great deal. I mean, to do this with this special group of girls is amazing. We came into this as a really young group and to play like we did coming off of yesterday’s match is just testament to everyone’s hard work.”

(Men’s) Belgium 4 - 3 Germany

After Belgium controlled three full quarters in a dominant 4-3 win, Germany scored three goals in a sensational final period to remind everybody just how dangerous they can be.

Belgium put the screws on Germany in the first half, dominating play and dictating the pace of the match with long periods of possession and territorial advantage. Tom Boon popped up everywhere, firing his first warning shot wide in the second minute. He then made an excellent tackle and quick release from the halfway line which resulted in a fourth-minute goal for Roman Duvekot, who controlled the ball beautifully above his head with one touch before smashing it down for the goal. The Red Lions missed a couple of good chances before Boon scored a sliding deflection from open play in the 11^th minute, and he added his second with a 16^th-minute drag flick. Germany were in deep trouble at 3-0 down and only a superb save from Jean-Paul Danneberg in the 21^st minute kept it that way at half-time.

The Germans conjured up a couple of half chances in the third quarter, but keeper Simon Vandenbroucke dealt with them comfortably as the minutes ticked away into the final period. It was a much-improved fourth quarter for Germany though, and Martin Zwicker found the net with a rebound after a flurry of penalty corners in the 48^th minute. Vandenbroucke then made an excellent penalty corner save to keep the rampant Germans at bay before Tom Boon completed his hattrick for Belgium with a 54^th-minute drag flick. Germany then pulled their keeper off to chase a result and had immediate success, Florian Sperling squeezing one over the keeper for a 57^th-minute goal, and Vandenbroucke was called on for another exceptional save to maintain a two-goal cushion. Gonzalo Peillat wrapped up the match for the Germans with a drag flick in the closing seconds, but it was too little too late.

Belgium’s Tom Boon was named the Player of the Match and said: “I think we made a lot of steps forwards. We started really good the game, we had a lot of chances, went 3-0 up. And then we know Germany can react and in the end we still won.”

Current Hero Top Scorers:

Women – Lottie Bingham (BEL) (2 goals)

Men – Tom Boon (BEL) (3 goals)

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

FIH Hockey Pro League – 2 December 2024

Gongshu Canal Sports Park Hockey Stadium, Hangzhou (CHN)

WOMEN

Result: Match 3 (W)

Belgium 1 - 3 England

Player of the match: Lottie Bingham (ENG)

Umpires: Lim Hong-Zhen (SGP), Rama Potnis (IND), Cookie Tan (SGP-video)

Wagener Stadion, Amsterdam (NED)

MEN

Result: Match 3 (M)

Belgium 4 - 3 Germany

Player of the match: Tom Boon (BEL)

Umpires: Rebecca Edwards (ENG), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL), Gemma Calderon (ESP-video)