In Rio and Tokyo they still had to watch from home, in Paris the Red Panthers are eager to be at the Olympic Games again. The Belgian hockey women are determined that things will not go wrong at the Olympic qualifying tournament. “We are now number 4 in the world. There is a completely different team with so many extra weapons.”
“It remains one of my most beautiful tournaments.” Barbara Nelen still looks back on the London 2012 Games with great pleasure.
She is one of the few Red Panthers with Olympic experience, because in 2016 and 2021 the Belgian hockey women were not qualified for the Games.
A negative series that the Panthers want to end at the qualifying tournament in Valencia. Nelen is convinced that they will now get a ticket for Paris.
“The team we have now is a completely different team. We don’t even talk about it in the group anymore, because many girls have not even experienced it. We believe in ourselves.”
Alix Gerniers, who was there as an 18-year-old in London, also exudes confidence. “You can no longer compare the team of 4 years ago with today. We have made enormous strides in all areas.”
“We don’t want to experience that disappointment of missing the Games again. We will do everything we can to reach the Games. We assume that we will qualify and return with a big smile.”
The difference in level compared to a few years ago is truly enormous.
Raoul Ehren, national coach Red Panthers
Why will it be different this time? National coach Raoul Ehren can list plenty of arguments. “We took a big step extra after the European Championships, where we took silver.”
“We played the Five Nations Tournament, played a practice tournament, against Germany twice, against Spain, Ireland, India… And we won everything. That gives a lot of confidence.”
“The difference in level from a few years ago is really huge. We are no longer dependent on 1 or 2 players who have to be in shape. We have a lot of weapons, the whole package is ready.”
The status of the Red Panthers has also changed, Ehren emphasizes. “4 years ago we were 12 or 13th in the world. Now we are number 4 in the world. There is a completely different team, with so many extra weapons.”
Walk in the park? “No, it’s going to be spicy”
Yet the Red Panthers do not think it will be a piece of cake in Valencia. Only the two finalists and the winner of the consolation final will receive an Olympic ticket.
“We are the first team in the ranking that still has to qualify,” says Gerniers. “We think we have a great chance, but it remains a qualifying tournament. Every team wants to qualify, so it will be tough.”
“We also had a chance the previous times, but it didn’t happen twice. I hope it will happen now.”
The national coach also remains cautious. “We certainly belong among the world’s top, but that doesn’t give you an Olympic ticket.”
“It will not be an easy tournament, even though we are the favorites. We will not run away from that status. I do not expect it to be easy, but I do expect us to be good.”
If we can qualify, why shouldn’t we, as number 4 in the world, be able to fight for a medal.
Barbara Nelen
There should also be no underestimation in the group phase. “Ireland played the World Cup final a few years ago, so you can’t just win there. South Korea played the final at the Asian Games. Then you don’t get it for free,” said Ehren.
Yet qualification is a must, because Ehren even dreams of an Olympic medal. “Really?”, says Gerniers. “Let’s get a ticket first, then we can dream big.”
Nelen also believes in the Panthers’ medal chances. “If we can qualify, why shouldn’t we, as number 4 in the world, be able to fight for a medal,” she said.
But first enforce the qualification. “We can’t wait to get started on Saturday,” Gerniers concludes.
The first assignment against Ireland is scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 PM.
Related:
red panthers at olympic qualifying tournament
program group A Belgium Ireland 13/01, 6:30 PM report South Korea Ukraine 13/01, 8:45 PM Ireland Ukraine 15/01, 12:00 PM South Korea Belgium 15/01, 2:15 PM report Belgium Ukraine 16/01, 5:00 PM report Ireland South Korea 16/01, 7.15 pm standings in group A M W G V +/- pts 1. Belgium 2. Ireland 3. Ukraine 4. South Korea
The Olympic qualifying tournament takes place in Valencia (Spa). The top 2 of the 2 groups advance to the semi-finals. The top 3 of the tournament with 8 countries qualify for the Olympic Games.
