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Lomans in Club Action

You can’t climb much higher in hockey than Bram Lomans has.

The Dutch penalty corner ace has two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup victory under his belt. Is there anywhere to go now? How does a player like Lomans motivate himself after winning everything with the best team in the world?

planetfieldhockey’s Robert Short spoke with Lomans in Holland about his Olympic experiences, Sohail Abbas, the upcoming World Cup, and more…


Robert Short: Bram - congratulations on your accomplishment of winning your second gold medal. How was this one different than the first? And could you say which one felt better?
Bram Lomans: I'd have to say Sydney felt better because my part was much bigger. In Atlanta I was a substitute for the corners for Bovelander and van der Honert. In Sydney I played almost every full game.

RS: How was the organisation at the Sydney Oympics?
BL: It was great to see how many volunteers they had working the games, because of that the volunteers had a smile on their faces the whole day. Everything you asked for was possible.

RS: What were the crowds like down under?
BL: I can't think of a more sportsminded crowd than in Sydney. Of course the people at the World Cup (1998 Utrecht) cheered more for us. In Sydney every game fully packed with excited crowds.

RS: You scored three goals for Holland in Sydney were you disappointed after scoring so many at the World Cup in 1998?
BL: The first thing I was concerned about was to become champion. The second thing was to be on the field and be part of the first eleven. The last was to score goals, and for me that's the only thing that could have been better. You won't hear me complaining.

RS: Sohail Abbas the Pakistan corner specialist is now sometimes thought as as the best corner-flicker in the world right now. Would you agree with this statement?
BL: Yes I think that he's better at the moment and he was during the Olympic games, but I am working on my corner very hard right now so I should catch up with him.

RS: Are you saying you can improve?
BL: As a player I have been improving every year. My penalty corner will be better in the next tournaments as well as I am working on it most days.

RS: Were you surprised to be playing Korea in the final?
BL: We know Korea is a very strong team, but I didn't expect them in the final before the tournament started. When the semi's were decided I thought they had a good chance against Pakistan.

RS: Did you take a penalty stroke in the final?
BL: In both the semi and in the final.

RS: How did it feel?
BL: I was much more nervous in the semifinal. I don't know why.

RS: Holland has dominated men’s hockey over the last 4 years. Do you think that they will stay at the top of men’s hockey for years to come?
BL: We had a bit of luck this time and I feel the gap we had (between Holland and other teams) is gone. We will be in the top but it will get harder to beat everybody over the next years.

RS: What do you think of 16 teams being in the world cup 2002?
BL: I haven't really thought about it. The only thing is that I was surprised to read was that New Zealand are not able to qualify. That is really strange.

RS: Does Dutch hockey have a busy program up till the world cup?
BL: At the moment we only have the hoofdklasse (our top league), but from July till the World Cup it is only hockey, hockey, hockey.

RS: Do you expect to keep the World Cup title in 2002?
BL: I think we will be the team everybody looks at and I hope we can, but the differences as I mentioned are now so small.

RS: What do you do in your spare time?
BL: I took a sabbatical after the Olympics and now I think I am going to work for TK Nederland.

RS: When did you start practising penalty corners and who taught you?
BL: I started in 1993 and was trained on the corner by Den Bosch coach Toon Siepman.

RS: Do you have any special training that you could pass on to young corner talents around the world?
BL: First concentrate on the skill and then on the power. Eat spinach!!!!

RS: What do you think of hockey becoming professionalised in holland?
BL: It really depends on how the National Team is doing. If we continue to do well then not much will change. The clubs should be able to attract sponsors on their own which would bring some more professionalism to the game here. In turn more money will come if club hockey is then shown more on National television.

RS: Have you been offerred substantial amounts of money to play for a club?
BL: That is a bit personal but I have been offered money. Not enough to pay your house off though.

RS: Dutch coach Maurits Hendriks has recently been fired. Strange timing after a gold medal. Why do you think he got fired?
BL: Too many boys of the team lost trust in him. Apparently the players had a strong voice.

RS: If you were to play hockey anywhere else in the world where would you want to play?
BL: I think in Spain. I love Barcelona and I wouldn't mind playing there for a year.

RS: If you didnt play hockey where would your life have taking you now?
BL: Maybe I would be a good tennis player but I think I would be a businessman.

RS: What will you do when you finish hockey?
BL: I will continue with my dad's sport shop (hockey tennis golf) and maybe get into some coaching.


RS: Bram, planetfieldhockey thanks you for your time and look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

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