The Netherlands started their bid for four titles in succession with a powerful victory over Spain in Mönchengladbach

It took three minutes for Yibbi Jansen to get the ball rolling with a rocket of a penalty corner and she added another in the same style – going to the opposite corner this time – early in the second quarter for 2-0.

The third one was not quite so direct but, from another set piece, the ball ricocheted to Frédérique Matla on the right of the circle and she thumped home a shot.

Pien Dicke added another in the second quarter, touching in from Jansen’s driving run and cross. Belen Iglesias ghosted in at the back post to pull one back before half-time.

After a scoreless third quarter, Jansen completed her hat trick with six minutes to go with yet another powerful drag-flick into the backboard.

Speaking about the victory, Jansen said: “Five against one is a big score so we are happy! It’s the way we want to play, to put pressure on them. We can play better but we are really happy.”

Women’s Pool B: Netherlands 5 (Y Jansen 3, F Matla, P Dicke) Spain 1 (B Iglesias)