FIH Pro-League: Second-Half Surges And Shootout Drama Define Pro League Action

A packed day of FIH Pro League action delivered second-half dominance, milestone moments and late drama across four contrasting contests in the men’s and women’s competitions. The England men produced a commanding response against Germany, while Belgium and Argentina showed their composure in tight encounters that tested patience and nerve.

Argentina featured twice on the day, claiming a narrow men’s victory over the Netherlands before the women edged Germany in a sudden-death shootout to secure a crucial bonus point. In Ireland, the Belgian Red Panthers maintained their unbeaten run against the hosts, rounding out a day that underlined both the depth of quality and the fine margins that define the FIH Pro League.

(Men’s) Germany 1 – 4 England

England avenged their earlier loss to Germany with a convincing 4-1 win on Saturday, putting a damper on Christopher Rühr’s 200th cap for Die Honamas.

A busy first quarter saw early pressure from the English. The diving Jacob Payton just failed to make contact with a dangerous feed into the circle, and a penalty corner was run down by the first wave. Florian Sperling snapped one over the crossbar at the other end when the English defence failed to clear their lines, and Germany went on to fluff three penalty corners. The second quarter produced a couple of half chances at both ends as neither team was able to assert real dominance. England looked to have scored a field goal on the stroke of half time, but it crossed the line after the hooter, and the score remained 0-0.

England stepped up to completely dominate the second half. They broke the deadlock from open play in the 34th minute when James Gall slid towards goal for a textbook deflection high into the net. They then doubled their lead in the 46th minute, Henry Croft receiving a pass from the baseline and snapping off a quick shot before any German defenders could react. Samuel Hooper extended the lead even further with a drag flick three minutes later, and Oliver Payne made a series of excellent saves to deny Germany any foothold in the match from a good spell on the attack. Nicholas Bandurak added a fourth for England four minutes from time, working into space behind poor zonal marking and chipping over the goalkeeper. It was then Benedikt Schwarzhaupt who finally scored a consolation goal for Germany with a penalty corner rebound, but it was far too little too late for the European champions.

England’s James Gall received the player of the match award and said: “I think maybe we were caught a bit cold in the first game against Germany. And we stepped it up against Belgium. And then I thought we stepped it up today as well, on and off the ball. So we’re definitely happy with that. We’ve got to go again tomorrow as well.”

(Women’s) Ireland 1 – 2 Belgium

Alix Gerniers celebrated her 300th cap for Belgium in a close 2-1 win over hosts Ireland, with the Belgians extending their unbeaten run in this year’s competition.

The Red Panthers took an early lead when Charlotte Englebert had all the time in the world to pick her spot from a penalty corner rebound in the 4th minute. The player of the moment, Gerniers, then added a penalty corner deflection in the 10th to double the Belgian’s lead. They went on to dominate the half, Englebert striking the post, and both she and Ambre Ballenghien being denied by goalkeeper Aoife Glennon. Ireland had one good opportunity on the break, but Kathryn Mullan’s shot was off target, and the Belgians still led 2-0 at half time.

Belgium sent two passes across the goalmouth without finding a stick in the opening minute of the third quarter and continued to do plenty of attacking. Ireland were living off scraps when Sarah Torrans pulled one back for them in the 41st minute, pouncing on a loose ball in front of goal to set up an exciting final quarter. The Irish defended bravely before creating a few chances of their own, and they conjured an excellent opportunity with one of the finest moves of the tournament so far. The home side were backed into their own circle by an aggressive press before a long aerial pass set up a counterattack, only for the final pass to elude Torrans at the top of the circle. There were half-chances at either end as the clock ticked down, and the hooter sounded with Ireland attacking the Belgian circle.

The player of the match went to Belgium’s Michelle Struijk who said: “I am happy with the result. I think we faced again a tough Irish opponent, a good defence, but we did create. Of course, there are some working points but overall happy with the four wins.”

(Men’s) Argentina 3 – 2 Netherlands

Argentina produced a strong first half to secure a 3–2 win over the Netherlands in a match that marked the 100th international appearance of Dutch midfielder Terrance Pieters.

Los Leones surged to all three goals in a dominant second quarter. Tomás Domene opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a booming penalty corner into the top corner. Another penalty corner soon followed, striking the body of Jorrit Croon and earning Argentina a penalty stroke, which Maico Casella calmly finished into the bottom corner for a 2–0 lead. Domene then struck again from a penalty corner, finishing a well-worked routine that drew the Dutch defence toward Nicolás Della Torre before the slip left Domene time to bury his third just before half time.

The Netherlands emerged with renewed energy after the break. Patient passing drew the Argentine defence out of position, and a driven ball into the circle found Thierry Brinkman, whose composure created space for Koen Bijen. The ball then squeezed through to Duco Telgenkamp, whose quick release put the Dutch on the scoresheet to make it 3–1. The pressure continued, with Pieters later unleashing a powerful shot that was deflected away by the boot of Tomás Santiago.

Argentina were tested again in the fourth quarter when Reyenga produced a superb individual effort, beating two defenders on the baseline before rifling a backhand into the circle to bring the Netherlands within one. Despite the late push, Argentina’s three-goal second quarter proved decisive as they held on for a 3–2 victory.

Argentina’s Tomas Domene was named player of the match and said: “We played really well and our defence did well. We know we have some things to do but we are happy with the results. Argentina looked in good form early on but their energy looked to die down as Germany were patient for their opportunities.

(Women’s) Argentina 1 – 1 Germany (5 – 4 SO)

The contest finished level at 1–1, with Argentina claiming the shootout bonus point after a dramatic sudden-death victory, winning 5–4 in the shootout.

Argentina were quick to get on the board as Germany’s Lisa Nolte turned over the ball at the top of the circle. A resilient Victoria Granatto’s individual efforts created space for a rocket shot that beat German keeper Frinja Starck glove side high. Argentina had more chances as an Agustina Gorzelany flick was run down and Starck made back-to-back saves on rebounds. Germany had their chances including a back-hand shot from Yani Zhong that was deflected on goal, saved and then created a goal-mouth scramble before being cleared. Before half time Julieta Jankunas set up Aylin Ovejero deep in the German circle but her back-hand shot was saved with confidence by Starck.

Germany were able to draw level on their fourth penalty corner, which came in the third quarter. The hit from Lena Micheel ricocheted in off the boot of Cristina Cosentino to bring the game tied at 1-1. Argentina struggled to get their flare and attack back in order and Germany did well to keep Argentina on their heels to force the opportunity for a bonus point.

It was a dramatic shootout after Germany cashed in on their first two shootouts through Sonja Zimmermann and Yani Zhong. Leading 3-2 after four shooters, Germany’s Lisa Nolte drew a penalty stroke on her effort. With a chance to seal the bonus point, Stine Kurz stepped up to the spot but her flick saved well by Cosentino. Looking for a lifeline and getting it, Candela Esandi brought Argentina to a tie, 3-3. Into sudden death, Sofia Cairo finished on the backhand. Zimmermann buried her second effort to continue the draw, while Victoria Granatto also buried her second to give Argentina their fifth. Zhong’s attempt did beat Cosentino but the shot crossed the line too late to give the Leonas the 5-4 shootout edge and, ultimately, the game’s bonus point.

After the match Argentina’s Sofia Cairo was named player of the match.

Current Hero Top Scorers:

Women – Stephanie Vanden Borre (BEL), Charlotte Englebert (BEL) Yibbi Jansen (NED) (3 goals)

Men – Thomas Crols (BEL), Alexander Hendrickx (BEL), Timo Boers (NED), Thierry Brinkman (NED), Sufyan Khan (PAK), Tomas Domene (ARG) (3 goals)

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.

FIH Hockey Pro League – 13 December 2025

Sport Ireland Campus (IRE)

Men

Result: Match 9 (M)

Germany 1 – 4 England

Player of the match: James Gall (ENG)

Umpires: Sandra Adell (ESP), Jonas van’T Hek (NED), Lizelotte Wolter (NED-video)

Women

Result: Match 9 (W)

Ireland 1 – 2 Belgium

Player of the match: Michelle Struijk (BEL)

Umpires: Lizelotte Wolter (NED), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL), Gemma Calderon (ESP-video)

Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Argentina (ARG)

Men

Result: Match 10 (M)

Argentina 3 – 2 Netherlands

Player of the match: Tomas Domene (ARG)

Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Jonathan von Hoesslin (RSA), Ivona Makar (CRO-video)

Women

Result: Match 10 (W)

Argentina 1 – 1 Germany (5 – 4 SO)

Player of the match: Sofia Cairo (ARG)

Umpires: Jonathan Altamirano (MEX), Michael Dutrieux (BEL), Ivona Makar (CRO-video)

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