John-John Dohmen’s record-breaking game proved one to remember as they won a thriller against England 5-3 to begin their respective men’s EuroHockey Championship campaigns.

Dohmen lined out for his 454th international, seeing him overtake Teun de Nooijer’s record as the most capped player in the world. 

But any sense it would be a procession were quickly dispelled when England went in front in the eighth minute from a ridiculous Nick Bandurak volley on the spin – an early contender for goal of the tournament.

William Ghislan levelled with a gorgeous touch in to Victor Wegnez’s goal but England replied with a Bandurak penalty stroke and then went 3-1 up through Sam Ward from a penalty corner.

Belgium, though stormed back with Florent van Aubel finishing off the second phase of a corner routine and then he scored from play with his perfect touch hitting the backboard.

Loick Luypaert dragged in the go-ahead goal for Belgium to put them in front for the first time and the game was finally determined when Alexander Hendrickx slammed the final goal into the bottom corner.

“It means a lot,” Dohmen said after the win. “The game today was amazing and we took a lot of pleasure from it. We had to keep fighting. We are a real group which has been the case for the last 20 years. I am proud of my team and the work we have done.”

Men’s Pool A: Belgium 5 (F Van Aubel 2, W Ghislain, L Luypaert, A Hendrickx) England 3 (N Bandurak 2, S Ward)