The Belgian Red Panthers have named a strong panel for August’s EuroHockey Championships as they aim to build on their superb third place finish in the FIH Pro League.
Rein van Eijk’s side will feature 14 players from their Olympic panel with Louise Dewaet, Astrid Bonami and Lisa Moors all set for their major tournament debuts.
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All three are both moving up from the Under-21 side who played in last year’s Under-21 Euros where Bonami was top goalscorer. Dewaet, meanwhile, was also in the Belgian side who played in the Under-18 EuroHockey Championship in Crefeld in 2023.
The other change to the Olympic panel is goalkeeper Elena Sotgiu who will be in for her fourth Europeans having played in 2017, 2021 – where she was goalkeeper of the tournament – and 2023. The changes come in the wake of the retirement of Barbara Nelen, Abi Raye and Aisling D’Hooghe.
In the press release relating to the consistent squad, the selection was explained as follows: “With a view to the cohesion of the entire group towards the World Cup next year in their own country, the staff of the Belgian women’s hockey team has opted not to appoint any reserve players.
“All players not selected for this European Championship will continue to train with the group in the coming weeks. Should the need arise to make a substitution, the form at the time will be considered ‘position-specifically’.”
Belgium were runners-up in 2023 following a bronze medal in 2021.
Belgium Red Panthers EuroHockey Championship selection
Goalkeepers: Elodie Picard, Elena Sotgiu
Defenders: Hélène Brasseur, Lucie Breyne, Lien Hillewaert, Stephanie Vanden Borre, Emma Puvrez
Midfield: Judith Vandermeiren, Michelle Struijk, Justine Rasir, Lisa Moors, Alix Gerniers, Camille Belis
Forwards: Charlotte Englebert, Ambre Ballenghien, Astrid Bonami, Louise Dewaet, Delphine Mariën
