Red Panthers stun Netherlands to take a successful start in Antwerp
The national ladies' hockey team, the Red Panthers, have taken an excellent start at the European Championships in Antwerp, holding the Dutch favourites to a draw (1-1).
It's not often that the Belgian ladies can get a result like this against the Netherlands, the world's number 1.
The point is a bonus for the Red Panthers and it will boost their chances in the group phase. National team coach Niels Thijssen said "this feels like a victory. It's a super start, but we need to keep our feet on the ground now. We made that mistake in the past, but now we will do everything to prevent this."
Player Michelle Struijk, who had a special match because she is from Antwerp, scored and was delighted with the point: "The Netherlands were super strong again. But we had a plan and we carried this out. But now we need to put the focus on Russia for our next game."
