The Dutch Hockey Players, Under Coach Raoul Ehren, Traded the Freedom of his predecessor Paul of Ass for More Hours in The Weight Room and the Meeting Room. The result? Gold again at the European Championship. “There is a better balance between fun and truly being a top athlete.”
In The Players’ Hotel in Venlo, Pien Sanders Regularly Addressed Her Coach in Recent Days. “Are we doing another video analysis?”, The captain asked. She Asked the Question with A Wink, But She also Meant It A Little SeriOutly.
On rest days, there was a morning analysis of their own game from the day before. In the afternoon, the next opponent was examined, and on the match day itself, there was another meeting for dead ball situations, such as the penalty corner.
Ehren is known in the hockey world as a coach who leaves nothing to chance. “He rules every. When you walk onto the field, you have no more questions,” Says Sanders.
It is a World of Difference Compared to the Olympic Games, Where the Netherlands Won Gold Again Last Year Under The Leadership of Ass. The Coach Could Sometimes Surprise His Players, But He Did That More by Example, Blowing Up Balloons.
Hockey Player’s Are Grateful to from ASD
Shortly After Ehren’s Appointment, Joosje Burg had to get used to it. She and Her Teammates Were Given a Schedule in which Strength Training was Scheduled Several Times a Week. “I hardly did that then,” She says.
Van Ass was not in favor of the gym. He was focused on motivating and inspiring. The coach started in September 2022 After a turbulent period in which Alyson Annan had Left a Few Months Earlier Due to a Difference of Opinion about the approach to the culture of fear in the team.
Finding the fun again was, Accordance to Yibbi Jansen, from ASS’s Main Goal. “Hey Wanted Everyone to Feel Free Again, On And Off The Field. It was head Empty and full throttle in the match. That brought out a very good side in us.”
“I think we had a very good one in Paul,” Says Burg. Duration Training Sessions, She Regularly Doubled about Laughing at the Coach. “We really needed that as a team at that moment, for the atmosphere and the mutual bond.”
‘Ifyone plays a 7, We are better than anyone’
The Weaknesses at Oranje Threateded to be Exposed for a Moment in the Olympic Final in Paris Last Year. Oranje Suddenly Fell Beind Against China. “I think we lacked a bit of structure at the games,” Says Burg. “You fall behind 1-0 at Such a moment. What do you do then?”
IT USUALY WENT WELL IN TERMS OF QUALITY. And that’s how orange won Gold in Paris. “The most important thing is that we continuously to trust our qualities, as a team and as individuals,” Says Frédérique Matla. “Paul Didn’t Necessarily Have a Grand Tactical Plan, But He Could Put Everyone in Their Strength.”
It Sometimes Happened that the Emphasis was constantly on attacking. “And then you some forgot that you had to defend,” Says Jansen. As a Result, Oranje Coneded More Goals Than Now Under Ehren. Burg: “But Paul Didn’t Mind That So Much.”
The Netherlands Could Always Straighten It Out Again. “We know that we must always be able to win, regardless of the opponent. With and Without a plan,” Says Matla. “We are smart and good enough for that. Ifyone plays a 7, then we are better than any opponent in the world.”
Ehren Still Sees ‘A Hundred Things’ That Could Be Better
Now ehren has the best hockey team in the world under his care, but that Doesn’tn’t Stop Him from Analyzing Everything. For Example, on Sunday Evening With the European Championship Medal Around His Neck, he is asked about his Feelings, but within Seconds He is talking about the “hundred things” that could be better.
The coach knows this about himself and also knows which of his players does or does not need information before a match. “The basics are important, but you won soon a nice conversation with me about tactics,” Says Sanders with a Laugh.
That is Why Sanders also Thought the Period With van ASH “had something”. “But that was more for a while,” Says the captain. “It was not thinking and going. I like it, but sometimes the middle ground may be better. We are ultimately doing top sport.”
“The Balance Between Fun Things and Truly Being a Top Athlete is Better Now,” Says Burg. “Paul and Raoul Are Two Coaches with Their Own Story. I Liked It With Paul Becoause It was Laughing and Going Full Throttle. But I Think That in this Phase It is nice to go to a tournament well prepared. That’s the Case Now.”