Belgium’s men strengthened their position at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League table with a solid 3-1 win over Spain in Wavre on Tuesday.
In the earlier women’s fixture, the Belgian women looked in full control as they completed a 5-0 drubbing of China.
(Women’s) Belgium 5 – 0 China
Four second-half goals saw hosts Belgium complete an emphatic 5-0 win over China in Wavre.
The opening goal came from a penalty corner. In her first senior international start, Chinese goalkeeper Fang Haixuan made an impressive triple save before Astrid Bonami provided the final touch to sneak the ball over the line for a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. Bonami was soon making an impact at the other end as well, producing a vital goal-line clearance from China’s first penalty corner of the match.
There were more PC chances for Belgium in the second quarter, but Liu Ping continued the good work in the Chinese goal, and the home side were unable to convert, leaving the score at 1-0 at half-time.
In a prolific second half, Belgium’s second goal came from a great ball in from the edge of the circle, which dropped just in front of Delphine Marien for her to tap it in. They then added a third off their eighth penalty corner of the match when Bonami’s drag took a deflection off a Chinese defender’s stick. A turnover in midfield led to Lottie Englebert firing in a fourth just seconds into the fourth quarter, when the ball took another tricky deflection off a Chinese stick, affording the keeper no chance of stopping it from sailing into the top of goal.
Liu Ping made a good save to deny Belgium from a penalty stroke with six minutes remaining. But an excellent run by Louise Dewaet finished with her pulling the ball back for Famke van Heek to provide a perfectly timed one-handed finish for her first senior international goal, so completing the 5-0 rout.
The player of the match was awarded to Belgium’s Lien Hillewaert, who said: “I think in general we all enjoyed the game. It was really fun to play at home and to have such a score on the board. I think that’s the most important thing we want to have out of these games is to grow during the Pro League and also to enjoy it because if you enjoy it, then things go smoothly.”
(Men’s) Belgium 3 – 1 Spain
Having lost three of their last four matches to the same opposition, Belgium prevailed against a tough Spanish onslaught to emerge 3-1 winners.
Both teams enjoyed periods of dominance in the opening quarter, but neither was able to make a meaningful impact in the circle. Belgium earned two penalty corners with three minutes remaining in the period but were unable to convert. There was plenty more action at both ends in the second quarter, with both sides showing patience in possession but again lacking the finishing touch. Belgium held a slight edge in terms of possession, but they were again unable to capitalise, and the teams went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0.
The breakthrough for the home side finally came within the first two minutes of the second half from another penalty corner. This time, Tom Boon’s drag rocketed into the right-hand side of the net – his 344th international goal edging his side in front. The lead didn’t last long, however, as Spain scored off their first penalty corner of the match. Vincent Vanasch, playing in his first Pro League match since December last year, made the initial save, but Marc Vizcaino fired in the rebound to make it 1-1.
Belgium restored their lead with 90 seconds remaining in the third quarter when they converted another penalty corner. Alex Hendrickx powered a low drag flick straight down the middle and through the legs of Luis Calzado. The Spanish defence then struggled to deal with a loose, bobbling ball in the circle early in the final quarter, allowing Thibeau Stockbroekx to pounce and fire home Belgium’s third goal, sealing a 3-1 victory.
Belgium’s Arthur de Sloover was named Player of the Match and said: “We were extra keen to deliver a good game against an opponent that made it very difficult for us, not only today but the last couple of games, so we had something to prove, I think. We have been working hard the last year, building a new team, and I think we delivered – not our best game maybe but we brought the energy and the fighting spirit, so that I think the main reason why we won today.”
Current Hero Top Scorers:
Women – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (10 goals)
Men – Tomas Domene (ARG) (12 goals)
To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – 16 June 2026
Belfius Hockey Area, Wavre (BEL)
Women
Result: Match 43 (W)
Belgium 5 – 0 China
Player of the match: Lien Hillewaert (BEL)
Umpires: Lizelotte Wolter (NED), Maggie Giddens (USA), Daniel Veerman (NED-video)
Men
Result: Match 43 (M)
Belgium 3 – 1 Spain
Player of the match: Arthur de Sloover (BEL)
Umpires: James Unkles (AUS), Ben Grant (NZL), Lizelotte Wolter (NED-video)
