Both the men and women's hockey teams from Belgium come into the Rabobank Hockey World Cup with great expectations and a healthy appetite for a win. Men's coach Mark Lammers and women's coach Kina Pascal have both talked about their side's "hunger" to win major trophies, and this could be the stage for them to make their mark.
In recent weeks both the Red Lions and the Red Panthers have been involved in competition against their fellow World Cup hopefuls. The women went to Glasgow to compete in the Champions Challenge 1, but came away disappointed with their performance, after they finished sixth, losing to Korea in a shoot-out. The men, on the other hand, have just completed a successful Four Nations competition, which saw them beat England and The Netherlands and draw with Germany.
Belgium is unique in that it has a brother and sister playing in the national teams. Tom and Jill Boon come from a sporting family, and there is little doubt what the main topic of conversation has been of late. The question is whether one, both or no Boon will be bringing a medal home?
In the opening matches of the World Cup on 31 May, the Red Lions will face India and the Red Panthers will be playing against the New Zealand Black Sticks.
