In the coming days, the Red Lions will defend their European title in the Netherlands. The national hockey men hope for a good result, but are resolutely aiming for the Games. Captain Thomas Briels is already looking ahead
The Red Lions have been among the absolute top in hockey for some time now. Last Sunday’s defeat against the Netherlands (4-0) hit the national hockey men hard. Captain Thomas Briels sees it as a wake-up call.
“It’s never fun,” says Briels. “But that’s part of sport. Maybe it’s not so bad that it happened just before the European Championship, so that we can analyze what needs to be improved and keep our feet on the ground. We know that a lot still needs to be done.”
“It is of course a snapshot”, Briels explains the loss against the Netherlands. “We have trained very hard in recent weeks, a number of guys have played in different positions to test things and the Netherlands also played much sharper than us. At this level you notice that immediately.”
“Such a wake-up call just before a big tournament is always good. We have to be focused every game, otherwise you will also lose to Spain or England. You are only as good as your last game.”
Thomas Briels in the shirt of the national team.
“Have tasted it to grab titles and that is addictive”
A gold medal in the Olympics is the main goal of the Red Lions. “We want to perform as well as possible at this tournament, but we really want to peak in 6 weeks, at the Games”, Thomas Briels continues. “It would be nice to start with a European title.”
“We want to show the best Red Lions in Tokyo. We have tasted it to win titles and that is addictive. That is also the reason that everyone trains so hard. When we are on the field, only one thing counts and that’s winning. That’s how we should approach it, otherwise you’re doomed to lose.”
“It is good that the European Championship is still there before the Games. It is very good preparation, with 5 top matches in 8 days. That is very good for the load on the body alone. But also for our level. It is difficult to say where we are now. After the European Championship it will be clearer, also with the other teams. It will be an interesting European Championship.”
With 5 top matches in 8 days, the European Championship is a very good preparation.
Belgium – Spain live on Sporza
We are following the Red Lions closely this summer: at the European Championship and at the Olympic Games.
Tomorrow we start at 13.15 with Belgium – Spain. You can watch the match live here in our app and on our website.
