Belgium are the good guys of world hockey. But they were also gaining the tag of losing finalists in recent times. The Red Lions finished runners up at both the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the Euro Hockey Championships in 2017. But everything fell in place for the favourities to get it right on a windy, overcast Sunday evening in Bhubaneswar. Belgium claimed their first ever World Cup title thanks to a dramatic shoot-out victory over the Netherlands in the final of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.
To put it in their coach Shane Mcleod's words—the stars aligned for them to get a hand on this cup.
The team was finally celebrating hard on the field and in the dressing room. Coach Mcleaod was, perhaps, the only one who didn't let the emotion get better of him in the post match interaction. The team had worked very hard to get where they are today—at the top of the world, the new number one ranked team. Speaking about the last minute hiccups—the shoot out where a goal was scored and then turned down—he was the quintessential wise man in the room. “Sport is a bit unfair. There is always a winner and a loser and our guys understand that.”
The team has been through good and bad times together. The key to Belgium's steady rise to the top has been unity and cohesion in a closely knit group of players. Their captain Thomas Briels echoes his coach's feelings. “We worked really hard to make this happen. Sometimes they say you have to lose a final to win one . I still can't believe it. We have come a long way from 2011 when we were ranked 13th in the world. This is our way to repay all those who worked hard with us.”
The Belgian captain spoke proudly of his teammates and the environment which has made the team work towards the common goal of standing atop the podium of a major hockey competition. Even the ones who could not be part of the winning team played a role—the team members received a best of luck video from each of their family members. “We have created a team with noble values and work environment we are really proud of. We are like a family,”he said.
Mid fielder Simon Gougnard's personal loss ahead of the crucial semi final made the team come closer and rally behind him. Said coach Mcleod, “Simon knows he is well supported. He was lucky to have spent time with his father before coming over and making peace with him.”