Thierry Brinkman, captain of the Dutch men’s national hockey team, is gearing up for the latest leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League that will be staged in Rotterdam. In a recent interview he stressed that the matches are as much about entertaining the crowd as they are about competition.
The Dutch side has endured a patchy run in the two most recent Pro League blocks, a situation he attributes to a spate of injuries that have disrupted preparation. Nevertheless, the tournament’s shoot‑out format offers the team a chance to rehearse high‑pressure scenarios that could prove decisive later in the season.
The Road to the World Cup
Brinkman points out that games on home soil carry a special energy. The stadiums in the Netherlands are consistently well filled, creating an atmosphere he describes as unique and a key factor in keeping supporters engaged.
With ticket demand already strong for the Rotterdam block, the captain sees the upcoming fixtures as a useful rehearsal for the World Cup scheduled for August. He also reminded that the Pro League champion this year will secure an Olympic berth, underscoring the dual objective of clinching the ticket while sharpening the squad for the global showpiece.