Belgium

Rabobank World League semi finalGROUP B

India – Germany 1-7 (0-3 halftime)

Germany sealed first place in Group B at the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Finals after earning their third straight win of the event. The Germans had little difficulty with India, netting the 7-1 victory.

Rabobank World League semi finalMen's Pool A

Spain – Australia 2-5 (0-2 halftime)

Australia got back on track at the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final after soundly defeating Spain 5-2 in the second game of round robin action. It was Spain’s first loss in the group and keeps things wide open for top billing in the tightly-knit Group A.

Rabobank World League semi finalAustralia – Belgium 1-3 (0-2 halftime)

Belgium proved yet again that they are one of the fastest improving nations in world hockey by recording a superb 3-1 victory over reigning world champions Australia on day 2 of the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi Final tournament in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. It was a top class performance Belgium, with goals from Sebastien Dockier, Cedric Charlier and John-John Dohmen giving the Europeans a memorable win over the world’s number 2 ranked team.

Hockey AustraliaAUSTRALIA (MEN) WORLD LEAGUE WARM-UP TOUR

BELGIUM     2 (0)
Felix Denayer 40 (PC)  
Florent van Aubel 67 (F)      

KOOKABURRAS 2 (1)
Mark Knowles 9 (PS)    
Eddie Ockenden 57 (F)   

In an entertaining dress rehearsal for their opening match of next week’s World League competition in Rotterdam, the Kookaburras and Belgium drew 2-2 in Antwerp on Sunday. Mark Knowles gave the Australians the lead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute but the Kookaburras found themselves pegged back shortly after half time through Felix Denayer’s penalty corner.  Eddie Ockenden struck his 49th Kookaburras goal to restore the lead but Belgium snatched a share of the spoils with just three minutes remaining, Florent van Aubel applying the finish.

Ollie Willars in action for England - image taken at recent training match at LilleshallBELGIUM 5 (3)
Tom Boon 5, 68 (FG, PC)
23 (OG)                                       Arthur Van Doren 31 (FG)
Jerome Dekeyser 42 (PC)                                                          
ENGLAND 0 (0)

In the third and final match of the series Belgium recorded their biggest victory of the week as they put five goals past England with no reply. In a repeat of the first two fixtures, the Red Lions went into the break three goals to the good, and to reinforce recent form they were able to convert twice more before full time to make it 5-0 and cement their series whitewash.

Phil Roper in action for England - image taken at recent friendly against Scotland. Copyright Ady KerryBELGIUM 4 (3)
Loick Luypaert 25 (PC)
Florent Van Aubel 28 (FG)
Tom Boon 35 (FG)
Xavier Reckinger 70 (PC)

ENGLAND 1 (1)
Barry Middleton 1 (FG)

In the second of England’s three match series against Belgium the home side once again came out on top, this time with a 4-1 victory over their visitors. A goal in the first minute from Captain Barry Middleton put England ahead, but three goals at the end of the first half and one in the 70th minute from a clinical Belgian side gave them a comfortable victory.

Darren CheesmanBELGIUM 5 (3)
John-John Dohmen 13, 30 (FG, FG)
Felix Denayer 23 (FG)
Jerome Dekeyser 36 (PC)
Cedric Charlier 47 (FG)

ENGLAND  2 (0)
Darren Cheesman 40 (FG)
Dan Fox 44 (FG) 

As part of England’s preparation for their World League Semi Final in Malaysia at the end of the month they played their first of three warm-up games against Belgium in Antwerp.

Goal: Darren Cheesman scores for England against New Zealand at the Champions Trophy - Photo: Treeby ImagesMELBOURNE, December 9 - Australia won their fifth consecutive Champions Trophy with a 2-1 golden goal win over Netherlands.

Pakistan finished third after beating India 3-2. Belgium retained their place for the 2014 Trophy with a 5-4 extra-time win over Germany.

England took the wooden spoon as New Zealand produced a golden goal through Nick Wilson to win 3-2.