Germany’s men’s side bounced back emphatically on Day 3 of the FIH Pro League, earning a composed 4–1 win over England built on clinical team goals and disciplined defence. Belgium were pushed deep into the match by a determined Ireland side but did just enough to secure a 2–1 victory in Dublin.
In Santiago del Estero, the Argentine men thrilled their home crowd with a 4–2 shootout win over the Netherlands after a tense 1–1 draw, before the Leonas closed the day with a gritty 1–0 triumph over Germany. It was a slate of tight battles, standout goalkeeping, and early-season statements across both continents.
(Men’s) England 1 – 4 Germany
Germany logged their first win of the new season with a hard fought 4-1 win over England, scoring some high-quality team goals in the process.
Storm Bram may have passed, but a brisk wind coupled with intermittent showers presented challenging conditions during the match. England played at a high intensity in the first half, but it was Germany’s patience and control that created better chances. The Germans scored from their first opportunity in the 7th minute, Matteo Poljaric doing excellent work to clean up the scraps off the goalkeeper’s pads. Nicholas Bandurak equalised for England with a drag flick in the opening minute of the second quarter, but Justus Weigand restored Germany’s lead with a sensational reverse stick strike from open play in the 23rd. England found themselves under sustained pressure towards the end of the half, but a brilliant save from James Mazarelo kept it 2-1 to the Germans at half time.
Jean-Paul Danneberg enjoyed a quiet third quarter in goal as the Germans completely bossed the period. His one excellent save in the 41st minute resulted in a rapid counterattack for Henrik Mertgens to extend their lead, receiving on the p-spot with his back to goal and firing accurately on the turn. The space opened up in the final quarter and England enjoyed long periods in the ascendancy. But Elian Mazkour wrapped up a convincing German victory with his tap-in at the back post from open play in the dying seconds.
The player of the match award went to Jakob Brilla of Germany who said: “After the first game, a 4-1 loss, it was really nice for us to win this time, also 4-1, so we are quite happy.”
(Women’s) Ireland 1 – 2 Belgium
Belgium managed to grind out a tricky 2-1 win over FIH Pro League debutants Ireland, who played with tremendous grit in front of their vocal home supporters.
The much higher ranked Belgians were patient through a scrappy first half, but a high turnover rate from both teams meant that real chances were few and far between. Belgium’s Ambre Ballenghien understandably missed an opportunity after rushing with just one second remaining in the opening quarter, but she made up for it in the 23rd minute to hand her side a 1-0 lead by half time.
Ballenghien completed her brace with a fantastic team goal in the 34th minute, diving at the goalkeeper’s pads for an excellent deflection from open play that started deep in their own half. Ireland enjoyed a period of sustained pressure towards the end of the third quarter and only some excellent goalkeeping from Elena Sotgiu, who was celebrating her 100th cap for Belgium, kept them out. The Irish then missed a golden opportunity from a quick breakout after a defensive penalty corner before surviving a barrage of Belgian circle entries and penalty corners. Ireland were again denied by a double save from Sotgiu, but Ellen Curran finally gave the home fans something to cheer about with an excellent goal from a penalty corner variation to the p-spot with time up on the clock.
Belgium’s Charlotte Englebert was named player of the match and said: “We know that Ireland is a tough game to play, but it was nice to play against the home crowd. It was nice to hear there at the beginning of the game everyone was super excited about it.”
(Men’s) Argentina 1 – 1 Netherlands (4 – 2 SO)
The Netherlands came out flying and generated plenty of early pressure, but they couldn’t find enough ways past Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago to take command in regulation. A third-quarter thunderbolt from Lucas Toscani pulled the hosts level and ultimately set up a 4–2 shootout victory for Argentina.
Thierry Brinkman nearly struck in the opening minutes, unleashing a powerful shot that left the Argentine defence scrambling as Steijn van Heijningen narrowly missed the back-post deflection. Santiago then turned aside a series of Dutch circle entries, including chances generated through their aerial-led build-up. The visitors eventually broke through in the 12th minute when a strong run up the middle by Pepijn van der Heijden eventually found Brinkman, who finished calmly for the 1–0 lead.
The second quarter remained goalless thanks largely to Santiago, who denied Koen Bijen twice from close range and blocked a Tijmen Reyenga drag flick. Argentina found more rhythm in the third, with early warning signs from Bautista Capurro before earning a penalty corner opportunity. Toscani then produced a moment of brilliance, creating space with quick hands before smashing a reverse-stick shot under the bar to make it 1–1.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in the final quarter, sending the match to a shootout — the fourth straight Pro League meeting between these teams to end level. Santiago came up big again with a decisive stop, Brinkman sent his attempt wide, and four composed Argentine finishes sealed a 4–2 shootout win for the Leones.
After the match Argentina’s Lucas Toscani was named Player of the match and said: “It was great to score a goal today and important to help us tie the game. It was a really tough game so it was important and I am really happy because of the shootout win. I think we played a good game but of course there are things we can still do better. We want to win the game on the field so in terms of results we want a win.”
(Women’s) Argentina 1 – 0 Germany
In a tense, low-scoring battle in Santiago del Estero, Argentina struck early and defended with composure to secure a 1–0 win over Germany.
Argentina opened the scoring in the first quarter on a penalty corner earned through a baseline attack from Brisa Bruggesser, who was looking for Eugenia Trinchinetti. Agustina Gorzelany’s resulting flick ricocheted in off the glove of Finja Starck, marking her 25th goal of 2025 and the 103rd of her career. A tight second quarter tilted slightly in favour of the hosts, with a great chance for youngster Aylin Ovejero, who nearly connected on a clever ball from Victoria Sauze. Germany nearly equalized on a powerful run from Yani Zhong that forced a rebound off Cristina Consentino’s pads, but Sophia Schwabe couldn’t find the finishing touch. That would be German’ys best chance of the game as Gorzelany then zipped a low flick just wide of the post moments before halftime Argentina lead 1-0 heading into the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Argentina carrying slightly more energy but still struggling to find a second goal. María Granatto had a backhand effort steered away by the German goalkeeper, but beyond that Germany did well to stay in step with the hosts. While they couldn’t add to their tally, Argentina closed out the win and quickly gathered to celebrate Sofía Toccalino’s 200th international appearance — a proud milestone marked on home turf.
Following the match, Cristina Cosentino of Argentina was named player of the match and said: “We are really happy. Three points are really important in this tournament. We want to win every game so it’s a nice start playing here in Argentina again with this team.”
Current Hero Top Scorers:
Women – Stephanie Vanden Borre (BEL), Ambre Ballenghien (BEL) (2 goals)
Men – Thomas Crols (BEL), Timo Boers (NED) (2 goals)
To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – 10 December 2025
Sport Ireland Campus (IRE)
Men
Result: Match 3 (M)
England 1 – 4 Germany
Player of the match: Jakob Brilla (GER)
Umpires: Gemma Calderon (ESP), Jonas van’T Hek (NED), Hyosik You (KOR-video)
Women
Result: Match 3 (W)
Ireland 1 – 2 Belgium
Player of the match: Charlotte Englebert (BEL)
Umpires: Sandra Adell (ESP), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL), Lizelotte Wolter (NED-video)
Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Argentina (ARG)
Men
Result: Match 4 (M)
Argentina 1 – 1 Netherlands (4 – 2 SO)
Player of the match:
Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Jonathan von Hoesslin (RSA), Michael Dutrieux (BEL-video)
Women
Result: Match 4 (W)
Argentina 1 – 0 Germany
Player of the match: Cristina Cosentino
Umpires: Jonathan Altamirano (MEX), Kamile Mockaityte (LTU), Ivona Makar (CRO-video)
