Current World and Olympic Champion

Third place in the 2001 Champions Trophy in Rotterdam behind Germany and Australia

Third place in the Six Nation Invitational Tournament in Kuala Lumpur in January 2002 behind Pakistan and Australia, after stunning everyone by clearly losing the first match against Pakistan 0-3 and even more with a 1-3 defeat to New Zealand the next day. The Dutch took ferocious revenge a week later by crushing New Zealand 10-2 in the match for 3rd place.

The Game

Having won two of the last two Olympic hockey tournaments and two of the last three World Cups (and taking silver in 1994, losing to Pakistan in a dramatic final that was decided in a penalty shoot-out), the Dutch have demonstrated in an impressive fashion that they have the nerves and stamina that are necessary in the big events. Yet the Dutch were not very successful in the last few tournaments they participated in, and one will have to see if this is an indication of the “Orange Age”.

With Bram Lomans’ undisputed drag-flicking skills, fellow penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema to back up, and Teun de Nooijer always good for a PC goal, short corners are the Netherlands’ biggest strength.

With well-rounded players, sporting the skills as well as the understanding for tactics and the discipline, the Netherlands are very good at analyzing their opponents and adapting their game.

The Team

eleven players competed in the 2000 Olympic tournament, where the Netherlands pronounced themselves Olympic champions

two players changed from Champions Trophy squad: Jaap Derk Buma and Erik Jazet replace Marc Van Wijk and Friso Jiskoot

two players dropped from Holland’s Six Nations Invitational squad of twenty players: Peter Windt and Marc Van Wijk didn’t make the World Cup squad

Players to Watch

Bram Lomans is often dubbed the world’s most deadly penalty corner specialist, but the Dutch also have a premium reserve in first class drag-flicker Taeke Taekema, who at his club HCKZ executes penalty corners – getting Jorge Lombi out of work. Holland’s two defeats in their first two matches of the Six Nation Invitational were in part attributed to the fact that Lomans hadn’t been playing.

Karel Klaver was top scorer at the Six Nation Invitational Tournament in January with 8 scores – all of them field goals.

And, as always, prolific striker Teun de Nooijer, one of the best currently active hockey players, nominated for the FIH Player of the Year award 2001.

Recent International Matches

Feb. 18, 2002, Kuantan (Malaysia): Netherlands vs. Germany 3-1

Jan. 26, 2002, Kuala Lumpur (Six Nation Invitational): NL vs. New Zealand 10-2

Jan. 24, 2002, Kuala Lumpur (Six Nation Invitational): NL vs. Malaysia 3-2

Jan. 22, 2002, Kuala Lumpur (Six Nation Invitational): NL vs. Japan 6-0

Jan. 21, 2002, Kuala Lumpur (Six Nation Invitational): NL vs. Australia 4-4

Jan. 19, 2002, Kuala Lumpur (Six Nation Invitational): NL vs. New Zealand 1-3

Jan. 18, 2002, Kuala Lumpur (Six Nation Invitational): NL vs. Australia 2-4

Nov. 11, 2001, Rotterdam (Champions Trophy): NL vs. Pakistan 5-2

Nov. 10, 2001, Rotterdam (Champions Trophy): NL vs. Germany 2-3

Nov. 7, 2001, Rotterdam (Champions Trophy): NL vs. Korea 3-2

Nov. 6, 2001, Rotterdam (Champions Trophy): NL vs. England 3-2

Nov. 4, 2001, Rotterdam (Champions Trophy): NL vs. Australia 2-3

Nov. 3, 2001, Rotterdam (Champions Trophy): NL vs. Pakistan 1-1

Quotes

 Coach Joost Bellaart: “Winning a title is often far easier than defending it successfully. Just look at what happened to us in Sidney in 1994.” (worldcup2002.com)

 Jorge Lombi (Argentina; about hockey in the Netherlands): “Everything is, like, perfect. They have years of experience in organization, and the championship is one of the most well-ordered possible in the world.“ (Clarín.com)

 Coach Joost Bellaart: “Ours is all about team work and fighting for one another.” (worldcup2002.com)