AFTER THE SHOCKS: The Red Panthers' Olympic dream is alive and well

Let's go back to 2019, when the Red Panthers had to deal with China in the qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Belgian won the first leg 2-0, but suffered a nightmare in the second leg. In the last five minutes, China scored two more goals, then won the coveted Olympic ticket in a penalty shootout.

It is a tragedy for the Red Panthers, who had previously suffered a similar shock during the qualifiers for the 2016 Olympics. In the meantime, the team has undergone a serious facelift, but veterans such as Barbara Nehlen or Alex Girnier are both experienced on the field.

“The team we have now is completely different,” Nelin says. “They haven’t experienced that, so we don’t talk about it. It doesn’t make any sense.” Gernier adds his suffering colleague. “Seniors who have already missed the Games twice will do everything they can to get this ticket. We don't want to experience this disappointment again.”

To qualify for the Olympics this time, the Red Panthers must finish at least third in the eight-nation tournament in Valencia. According to hockey commentator Floris Geerts, the Belgians owe their attitude the success.

“Belgium is No. 4 in the world, and the three countries are already ranked above the Red Panthers. Belgian women have to live up to their status,” Geertz does not dare to delve into this matter. “It will also make up for a lot after not qualifying twice.”

“The Panthers now have a selection with much more talent. Belgian women's hockey is still relatively young, so it stands to reason that the new generations are by definition better than the previous ones. This team also includes top talent such as Charlotte Engelbert, who “We will still have a lot of Fun. You should have some luck with that. “

Charlotte Englebert is almost 22 years old, but she's already one of the best players in the world. At last year's European Championships, she was also named best player, despite the Netherlands being crowned European champions. “She can do almost anything and she also has an amazing winning mentality,” Flores-Geerts said, though he also emphasized that there is more to Engelbert than just her.

“Stephanie Vanden Borre is also the world's best at the back when she is in good form and I would also like to champion Michèle Struijk, who is often forgotten because she is between two generations. But she is the best midfielder for the Red Panthers. “Everything goes by her. “She's really great, and she's one of the leaders on this team.”

It needs to happen now for the Belgian women, but a world-class player like Engelbert is staying quiet about it. “There may be some tension before the matches,” says Engelbert, who does not hide his ambitions. “We're already talking about medals in Paris. We have the team for that. But we have to get there first.”