After a jam-packed seven matchdays of thrilling hockey action, the FIH Pro League delivered drama, goals and breakthrough moments across both men’s and women’s competitions. As the league pivots into a new week with two matchdays on 21 and 22 February, here’s your full recap of the past week’s highlights and what’s coming up next.

England men produce last minute thriller

England’s men produced one of the standout moments of the week in Valencia, clawing back late — scoring twice in the final minutes, including a last minute equaliser — to draw 2-2 with Netherlands before clinching the extra point in a shootout in dramatic fashion. Henry Croft’s late equaliser set up the shootout win, and proved the old adage — the game isn’t over until it's over.

Hat-tricks light up Pro League action

Goals were at a premium across several fixtures as Tom Boon (Belgium) and Patricia Álvarez (Spain) each grabbed hat-tricks against Argentina men and Germany women, thrilling fans with attacking flair and registering crucial wins for their sides early in the week. Tomas Domene added another hat-trick — scoring four goals in Rourkela against India — in a dominant 8-0 win for the Leones, which was their biggest win in the competition history and India’s biggest loss.

Australia and Belgium men dominate, India and Pakistan struggle

Belgium men continued their strong form in Rourkela with two wins apiece over Argentina and India — going clear at the top of the table with 7 wins and 1 draw from their 8 matches in the first half of the season.

In Hobart, Australia came out on top in tough fixtures, winning all four of their matches to start their season. Two wins apiece against Germany and Pakistan made the Kookaburras intent clear as they aim to reclaim the Pro League title, which they won in season five, but could not defend in season six.

Argentina and Germany men had mixed fortunes in Rourkela and Hobart respectively. Both teams ended their stages with two wins and two losses. For Argentina, both their losses came at the hands of table toppers Belgium, while they registered two big victories over India, including the statement 8-0 win. Germany similarly struggled against Australia, losing both their matches against the hosts, but dominated Pakistan with two wins by 5-goal margins each.

Pakistan in their debut season continue to search for their first points, having played eight matches already. India’s search for their first points continues in Hobart later this weekend as they take on Australia and Spain in a new stage, where both Spain and India are yet to make a mark on the points table having played 4 matches each.

Women’s Milestones and Thrillers

The women’s competition served up drama of its own in Hobart as Ireland, Australia and Argentina battled across the week. Argentina continued their good form from earlier in the season to win all four matches, despite the Irish side running them close on both occasions. Matches between Australia and Ireland produced all the drama with the first going into a shoot-out where the Hockeyroos prevailed. The reverse fixture saw the impressive Irish side continue their upward momentum, adding their first outright win of the season — in a 4-1 stunner against hosts Australia — to add to their two draws in the first half of their debut season.

Standings Snapshot

Belgium are clear at the top of the men’s standings with 22 points from 8 matches, 5 points clear of Argentina in second, followed by defending champions Netherlands in third a further 2 points behind. Australia remain the biggest threat to Belgium’s supremacy having won all four of their matches thus far, with four more matches coming up over the upcoming weeks, where four more wins could take them to the top of the table at the mid-way point of the season.

In the women’s standings Netherlands and Belgium remain neck and neck, with both teams on 21 points, albeit with the Dutch defending champions having played one fewer game. Argentina remain in third with 17 points from their 7 matches, followed by Spain on 8 points from 4 matches, with 4 more matches coming up over the coming weeks against Australia and China in Hobart.

See the complete standings here.

Upcoming Matches

A new Hobart stage begins this weekend with Australia, India and Spain facing off in the men’s competition and Australia, China and Spain squaring off in the women’s competition.

See the full schedule here.