netherlands

By their own very high standards, host nation and 2012 Olympic Silver medallists the Netherlands had a disappointing 2013 thanks to third place finishes at the TriFinance EuroHockey Nations continental championship in Belgium and the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final on home soil. However, the European giants started 2014 in stunning fashion when they powered to the victory in the Hero Hockey World League Final, thrashing New Zealand 7-2 in the Gold medal match.

The result sent out a strong message that the team are more than ready to challenge for their first Hockey World Cup title since 1998, an event which also took place on Dutch soil in the city of Utrecht. The Netherlands squad for this contains a glittering array of world class talent including midfield dynamo Robert van der Horst, playmaker Billy Bakker and quicksilver goal-scorer Jeroen Hertzberger, while powerhouse defender Mink van der Weerden is arguably the best penalty corner flicker in the world. With the passionate home fans cheering their every move, expect the Netherlands to be competing for top honours at the Kyocera Stadium.

Best World Cup results:
The Dutch men have won gold three times; 1973 (Amstelveen), 1990 (Lahore) and 1998 (Utrecht) and have taken part in 12 World Cups .

FIH World Ranking:
3rd

News:
02-04-2014: Dutch training programme finalised
31-03-2014: This is: Holland!
18-01-2014: Dutch men’s team wins Hockey World League

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