Thomas Briels is the captain of the Belgium Red Lions. He currently has an incredible 347 caps to his name, spanning a career that began in 2008. His next FIH Hockey Pro League match against the Netherlands will be the last competitive game before an intense period of activity that will see the world number one ranked team chasing EuroHockey and Olympic gold medals.
For the Belgium captain, it is also important that the team finishes on a winning note in the FIH Hockey Pro League, not just to boost the squad’s confidence for the coming weeks but also because he feels it is the result the team deserves after consistent performances throughout the entire competition.
After a break from international competition that goes back to February,Brielssays that the match is also important for the team’s preparations for an intense few weeks of competition.
“We don’t have a lot of games in preparation before the EuroHockey Championships and also it is good to have a peek at the opponents. The more games we can play the better. We are not used to this, we usually have a lot of time to train and prepare.”
The Belgium squad is brimful of experience. Many players have well over 250 caps andBrielssays that this experience has been essential as the team has dealt with the restrictions and changes to training that the pandemic has caused.
When it comes to the encounter with the Netherlands,Brielssays the game will have extra pressure as selection is also being made at this time.
“The most important thing is to play at the highest level possible. These games before a selection are strange and people do crazy things because they are stressed. But everyone will go full out. We want to finish on a good note with a win at home.”
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