The International Hockey Federation (FIH) can confirm that Spain men have become the latest team to be assured of a place at the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup. The greatly anticipated joint men’s and women’s event takes place at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, Netherlands from 31st May to 15th June next year.
Spain’s berth at Hockey’s global showpiece event was guaranteed following Germany’s triumph in the final of the TriFinance EuroHockey Nations Championships in Boom, Belgium.
Like all of the continental championships, the big prize on offer at the Euros was direct World Cup qualification to the event winner. However, with Germany having already achieved World Cup qualification thanks to a first place finish at the recent Hockey World League Semi-Final in Johor Bahru, a World Cup ticket was immediately handed to the higher ranked of the fifth place finishers from the two World League Semi-Final events. Spain (FIH World Ranking: 6) and Malaysia (FIH World Ranking: 13) were the respective fifth place finishers in Rotterdam (NED) and Johor Bahru (MAS), with Spain’s superior ranking being enough to guarantee a World Cup berth.
Spain become the ninth men’s team to qualify for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, with three more places up for grabs at the upcoming continental championships in Asia, Oceania and Africa. Eight women’s teams have also been confirmed for the event, with the remaining places going to the winners of the Asian, Oceania, Pan American and African continental championships.
More information about the World Cup qualifiers and qualifying process can be found below.
Rabobank Hockey World Cup – Men’s Qualifiers
Netherlands: Hosts.
Germany: Continental Champions Europe
Argentina: Continental Champions Pan America
England: 3rd place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johor Bahru (MAS)
Belgium: 1st place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED)
Australia: 2nd place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED)
New Zealand: 4th place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED) *
Korea: 4th place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johor Bahru (MAS).**
Spain: 5th place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED). ***
* Netherlands finished third in the Hockey World League Semi-Final event in Rotterdam. As they are already pre-qualified as the host, this means that the highest ranked fourth place finisher from both Semi-Final events earns direct qualification to the Rabobank Hockey World Cup. This place goes to New Zealand, who were fourth in Rotterdam and currently sit fifth in the FIH World Rankings.
** Korea qualified as first reserve courtesy of Argentina’s victory in the Pan American Cup.
*** Spain qualified as second reserve courtesy of Germany’s victory in the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships.
World Cup Qualification - The Next Stage
The remaining places at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup for men will be filled by the winners of the final three continental championships. However, if any of the above listed teams also becomes continental champion it will open the door to the teams that finished outside the top three at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals that have not yet qualified for the World Cup. These teams can be found below, in order of their placing in the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.
Malaysia: 5th in Johor Bahru / 3rd reserve for World Cup *
India: 6th in Rotterdam / 4th reserve for World Cup
* Spain (5th in Rotterdam) were named second reserve ahead of Malaysia courtesy of a superior placing in the FIH World Rankings.
About the International Hockey Federation (FIH)
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the world governing body for the sport of hockey, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1924, FIH today has 127 member National Associations. For further information about FIH, please visit us at:
www.fih.ch
www.youtube.com/fihockey
www.twitter.com/fihockey
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