Bram Lomans remembers 1998 men’s hockey World Cup final

• Bram was 1998 World Cup’s champion and 2-time Olympic gold medalist for Netherlands.
• Netherlands won the 1998 Men’s Hockey World Cup after beating Spain 3-2.
• Bram recalls his goal against Korea and how it altered the competition’s path for him.

The 1998 World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Bram Lomans travelled down memory lane to recall his best World Cup moment as the time counted down to the start of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.

Lomans spoke with Hockey India for the My Favorite World Cup Memory Series, which highlights interesting trivia, amusing anecdotes, and memorable moments from hockey legends who have excelled at this renowned event in the past.

Lomans, who in the late 1990s revolutionised the sport with his drag-flicking prowess, spoke about his team’s training and eventual victory.

More than two years prior to the start of the event, the Dutch squad started getting ready for the 1998 Men’s Hockey World Cup in Utrecht, Netherlands. Lomans, who was a relatively young squad member at the time, recalls how the athletic climate of the nation started to change, Hockey India said in a release on Monday.

“We were aware that the important competition would take place at home. Two years ago, we started the preparations. The stadium was a football field when we first went there, and football was still being played there. When we returned a second time, the employees were trimming the lawn. We watched as the nation’s mood and environment gradually shifted toward hockey, and it was incredibly special for us “defender for the Netherlands stated.

Prior to the 1998 Men’s Hockey World Cup, there was a lot of media excitement surrounding the Netherlands squad, which had recently won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. The home team was eagerly anticipated by the crowd, and the Netherlands squad was under pressure to win the gold medal at home. Despite all the anticipation, Lomans maintained he felt no pressure before the competition.

“We had a lot of faith. Although there was a lot more media and fan attention, I don’t recall feeling under much greater pressure as the Olympic champions. Similar to Indian fans, those in the Netherlands frequently have high expectations and can be highly critical. Thus, there is constant pressure to behave well. But playing hockey at home is the nicest feeling you can have, so I was really looking forward to it “said Lomans.

With victories over Canada and India in their opening two games of the 1998 Men’s Hockey World Cup, the Netherlands got off to a strong start. After losing to Germany, the Dutch team defeated South Korea and New Zealand to advance to the semifinals. The Netherlands beat Australia 6-2 to proceed to the championship game, where they overcame Spain 3-2 in a thrilling match to take home the medal.

Bram recounted his goal against Korea and how it altered the competition’s path for him when questioned about his favourite memory from the event.

“In my first two or three games, I was unsuccessful at scoring from penalty corners. Then I scored once against Korea. Although I was trying to move to the right, the ball became hooked in the hook of my stick and travelled in the opposite direction, toward the back of the nets. After the goal, I was less under pressure to score more goals, which benefited the team tremendously as the tournament came to a close “says he.

Lomans continued, “It was the most extraordinary time for me because something went wrong and turned out well for us.

He continued by recalling how Spain’s Juan Escarre’s unfortunate injury in the final benefited the Netherlands in their matchup with the United States. Teun de Nooijer’s great approach, which resulted in his championship-winning goal, was also detailed by Lomans.

“We believed we were so close after playing so brilliantly against Australia in the semifinal to go to the final. However, Spain thoroughly outperformed us in the championship game. They were excellent, “said Lomans.

“The game was turned around when Juan Escarre of Spain, who was playing so well and was really toying with us, tore his hamstring. With two late goals, we tied the score, and when extra time began, the golden goal rule was still in effect. Teun de Nooijer saw that the ball was simply landing in front of the goalkeeper every time one of my flicks was saved. He thus sprinted as I flicked at one point, the goalkeeper made a save, the ball fell directly in front of Nooijer’s stick, and he scored. Everything went great for us, “Added he.

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