They may be on the other side of the world, but there was much to celebrate for Australia’s men’s side as they were confirmed as this season’s FIH Hockey Pro League champions.

That’s after the Netherlands drew 1-1 with Germany, who then won the ensuing shootout in Amsterdam on Thursday. It’s the first title for the Australians since their victory in the inaugural season in 2019 and one that prevented the Dutch from claiming a third straight crown. The Kookaburras had already secured their qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 (an added incentive for success in the Pro League this season) after other results went their way four days ago.

Meanwhile, Germany’s women secured an emphatic victory over Great Britain to ensure they’ll finish second in the standings behind the Netherlands. The runner-up spot is a significant one as it means Die Danas qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.

In the other match of the day, Great Britain’s men completed a confident 3-1 win over Belgium.

(Women’s) Germany 4 – 1 Great Britain

Germany looked dangerous on attack throughout their 4-1 win over Great Britain who struggled to create opportunities. GB controlled the first quarter and succeeded in disrupting the Germans with an aggressive press, but Die Danas came back to dominate the second quarter and Lisa Nolte opened the scoring with a penalty corner rebound in the 20th minute. Emma Davidsmeyer doubled their lead three minutes later with her first senior international goal, Germany counterattacking from their own circle and popping an aerial ball to her behind the defence.

GB enjoyed territorial advantage without reward at the beginning of the third quarter before play ebbed and flowed throughout the rest of the match. The Germans continued to create chances and there was a flurry of goals in the final 10 minutes. Charlotte Stapenhorst and Nike Lorenz took the game away from GB with field goals in the 54th and 59th minutes, and there was some consolation for GB when Giselle Ansley found the back of the net with a 59th-minute drag flick. But it was not enough to thwart an emphatic Germany victory and with that, second place in the FIH Hockey Pro League behind the Netherlands.

The player of the match was awarded to Germany’s Lena Micheel who said: “We expected the GB girls to be really tough fighting against us, and they were. We were really lucky to score four goals and that’s a good result for us.”

(Men’s) Great Britain 3 – 1 Belgium

Great Britain delivered an energetic performance to outplay Belgium in a 3-1 win. GB threatened the Belgian circle repeatedly in the first half, and Zachary Wallace opened the scoring with a well-taken field goal in the third minute. They were denied a second when a shot from open play, incredibly, struck both posts without crossing the line. But Sam Ward still extended their lead with a 20th-minute drag flick. Belgium were struggling to gain a foothold in the match, although Alexander Hendrickx’s successful drag flick did keep them in touch.

A goalless third quarter was more evenly contested with GB still creating more chances in the final third of the pitch. The match was very much in the balance heading into the final quarter and Belgium had possession for long periods, but they couldn’t find a goal. GB had the final word in the 58th minute when Ward reached high above his head to tap in from a metre off the goal line. GB currently lie fourth in the standings and a single point from their last game against Germany would guarantee them third place.

Great Britain’s David Ames received the player of the match award and said: “This was a great result. Two good wins in the last two, and we spoke about trying to be consistent at this period of time leading into what’s going to happen in a few weeks’ time, and really happy with that against a really good Belgian side.”

(Men’s) Netherlands 1 – 1 Germany (SO: 1 - 3)

Germany came from behind to draw 1-1 with hosts Netherlands, sharing the points and then grabbing a bonus point by winning the shootout 3-1. The first quarter was evenly contested with no real opportunities, but the Dutch stepped up a gear in the second quarter and camped in Germany’s defensive third. Goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg made one sensational save for Germany, but the chances kept coming and Jip Janssen eventually fired the Dutch ahead with a drag flick in the 26th minute. Pirman Blaak then made a good glove save on the stroke of half time to deny Germany an equaliser.

The Germans bossed the Dutch for the entire third quarter, testing Blaak and the resilient Dutch defence repeatedly. Niklas Wellen eventually found the equaliser with a penalty corner rebound in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter and the match was poised for an exciting finish. The goalkeepers each made an excellent save in the hotly contested final period, and Germany almost snatched the win from a penalty corner with three seconds left on the clock. The Dutch made their own task harder by breaking early and losing a defender, but they were able to charge down the shot to take the match to a shootout. The Dutch needed to win the shootout to keep their hopes of winning the competition alive, but Germany prevailed so Australia are the FIH Hockey Pro League champions.

Hannes Müller of Germany was named player of the match and said: “I think we played a good first half, second half was very good. And the quality, the intensity from us, I’m very happy to win a penalty shootout, but yeah, we won the game, I am happy.”

Top Scorer Armband

To celebrate the talented goal-scorers throughout the season the FIH has introduced the Top Scorer Armband, which is being worn by the leading goal-scorers in the men's and women's competitions in the current season, as a visual mark for the fans, and for the players to wear proudly, match after match.

Current Top Scorers:

Women - Yibbi Jansen (NED) (17 goals)

Men - Jip Janssen (NED) (15 goals)

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

FIH Hockey Pro League – 27 June 2024

Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen (NED)

WOMEN

Result: Match 69 (W)

Germany 4 - 1 Great Britain

Player of the match: Lena Micheel (GER)

Umpires: Sophie Bockelmann (GER), Hannah Harrison (ENG), Sandra Adell (ESP-video)

MEN

Result: Match 69 (M)

Great Britain 3 - 1 Belgium

Player of the match: David Ames (GBR)

Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Coen Van Bunge (NED), Sophie Bockelmann (GER-video)

Result: Match 70 (M)

Netherlands 1 - 1 Germany (SO: 1 - 3)

Player of the match: Hannes Müller (GER)

Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Rachel Williams (ENG), Wanri Venter (RSA-video)