From 30 November 2024 to 29 June 2025, the Women’s FIH Pro League unfolded with intense, tightly contested matches and nail‑biting finishes. Taking centre stage were rising teams and established world beaters, who ensured that suspense reigned throughout the season.
China 2-2 Belgium (SO: 4-1)
The first match of the new season delivered on all fronts with a repeat of the Olympic semi-finals between China and Belgium in Hangzhou, with the game ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with China claiming the bonus point by winning the shootout 4-1. China took control early through Xu Wenyu, who converted a penalty corner in the 20th minute, and Zou Meirong, who extended the lead in the 32nd minute with a rebound off another corner. Belgium responded late, Michelle Struijk scored in the 50th minute from a well-executed penalty corner variation, and Justine Rasir equalised with a penalty-corner rebound around the 58th minute, leveling the game. China held steady through the shootout, defeating Belgium 4-1 to secure the bonus point.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/771843?playlistId=31126
Argentina 3-2 Netherlands
Argentina stunned Netherlands with a dramatic 3-2 home win in Santiago del Estero, claiming a rare Pro League victory against the Dutch, who lost their first Pro League match in nearly two years. The hosts drew first blood when Zoe Diaz converted a tip-in from a Maria Granatto assist just five minutes in. The Netherlands equalised right at the end of the opening quarter through Fay van der Elst, who capitalised on a swift counterattack initiated by Mette Winter. The fourth quarter brought end-to-end drama: Juana Castellaro netted a penalty-corner rebound in the 52nd minute to restore Argentina’s lead, only for Winter to swiftly fire in a rebound from a Yibbi Jansen flick a minute later to level things again. With time ebbing away and the score tied, Maria Granatto produced the decisive moment, drilling a powerful drive into the left corner to seal the win for Las Leonas in the final minutes.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/771854?playlistId=31126
India 3-4 Spain
Spain produced a spirited performance to earn a narrow victory in a roller‑coaster encounter against India in Bhubaneswar. The hosts grabbed the early initiative through Baljeet Kaur, who scored her first senior international goal midway through the second quarter to make it 1-0. Spain responded swiftly with a Sofia Rogoski equaliser and then took the lead via a penalty corner strike from Estel Petchamé before halftime. India roared back in the third quarter, with debutant Sakshi Rana netting her first for the national side and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal restoring the lead heading into the final quarter. But Spain had the final say: Petchamé completed her brace via another penalty corner rebound in the fourth, and Lucia Jiménez sealed the win with a composed reverse‑strike in the final minute.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/771820?playlistId=31126
India 2-2 Netherlands (SO: 2-1)
Despite their relegation at the end of the season, India had a couple of impressive performances, like their shoot-out win over world champions Netherlands. The Dutch had stormed into a 2-0 lead by halftime courtesy of goals from Pien Sanders and Fay van der Elst, but a rejuvenated India responded through Deepika, who produced a brilliant solo effort early in the third quarter, followed by Baljeet Kaur’s crisp finish in the fourth to level the score. In the ensuing shootout, Savita Punia pulled off pivotal saves and India prevailed thanks to successful conversions from Deepika and Mumtaz Khan. Savita’s heroics earned her the Player of the Match award, rounding off a memorable turnaround for the hosts.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/771794?playlistId=31126
Netherlands 11-2 Spain
Netherlands produced the biggest margin victory of the season against Spain when the two sides met in Amtelveen in June. The game will be remembered mainly for Yibbi Jansen’s performance, with the ace Dutch drag flicker scoring 5 goals past the Spanish defence from penalty corners. Joining her on the score sheet were Luna Fokke (2 goals), Fay van der Elst, Frederique Matla, Marijne Veen and Pien Dicke. Patricia Alvarez and Laura Barrios had briefly sparked a Spanish comeback in the second quarter, with the scoreline reading 3-2 in favour of the Dutch, but 8 unanswered goals from the Dutch really stamped their superiority in the contest and brought them all three points from the encounter.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/812347?playlistId=31126
Belgium 6-0 Spain
Belgium enjoyed their best ever Pro League season in 2024-25 and their signature performance came against Spain with a dazzling 6–0 victory at home in Antwerp! Beginning emphatically in the opening quarter with Charlotte Englebert slotting home a tap-in in the 4th minute after a sharp attacking move. The Red Panthers turned the screw just before half-time with a trio of goals in quick succession with two goals coming from Stephanie Vanden Borre and another from Justine Rasir putting Belgium firmly in control at 4–0 by half-time. After a tight third quarter, Belgium resumed the onslaught: Lien Hillewaert converted from a recycled penalty corner in the 51st, and Noa Schreurs capped off the scoring with a composed tap-in from a lofted assist in the 55th.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/815263?playlistId=31126
India 2-2 Argentina (SO: 0-2)
India staged a dramatic comeback from a 0-2 halftime deficit to draw 2-2 with Argentina at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre in London, only to miss out on what could have been a crucial bonus point in their relegation survival battle, losing 0-2 in the ensuing shootout. Argentina had taken full advantage of penalty corners early on, with Agustina Gorzelany drilling home strikes in the 27th and 37th minutes to put Las Leonas in command. In the final quarter, India responded fiercely: Navneet Kaur stunned with a solo strike in the 50th minute, followed by Deepika, who converted a penalty corner in the final minute to level the scores. Despite dominating possession and applying consistent pressure, earning more penalty corners and chances, India couldn’t get the win and their forwards faltered during the shootout as Argentina’s Brisa Bruggesser and Sofia Cairo scored to clinch the bonus point.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/815678?playlistId=31126
England 4-1 Spain
In a much‑needed lift in London, England secured a crucial 4–1 victory over Spain, stepping off the bottom of the Pro League standings at a vital juncture. The game’s opening breakthrough came via Maddie Axford, with a brace from open‑play highlighting her evolution as a key attacking threat and delivering a timely boost of confidence . Georgie Gardens extended England’s advantage with a smart close‑range finish, before Izzy Petter capped the scoring to seal the much‑needed result. Head coach David Ralph praised the team for their sustained intensity, resolute defending, and improved threat on the ball—a performance that not only lifted morale but crucially ensured England’s survival in the Pro League.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/817675?playlistId=31126
Germany 3-4 Australia
Both Germany and Australia experienced a down season compared to their usual high standards in the Pro League as they finished in seventh and fifth positions respectively. The two sides did however play one of the most entertaining matches of the season with Australia edging ahead in a 7-goal thriller in Berlin. Germany were the first to get on the score card in front of their home fans with Sara Strauss scoring from open play in the first quarter. Goals from Lisa Nolte and Ines Wanner gave the hosts a commanding lead in the second quarter and looked to have settled the game in their favour. But the Hockeyroos had plans of their own as they turned the tie around inside the next twenty minutes with goals from Courtney Schonell, Greta Hayes, Grace Stewart and Lexie Pickering giving them a morale boosting victory.
What’s more? All 7 goals in the game came from open play!
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/817738?playlistId=31126
Belgium 2-2 Netherlands (SO: 0-2)
In their final FIH Pro League 2024-25 match, the two top teams of the season Belgium and Netherlands played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, which ultimately saw the Dutch clinch the bonus point by winning the shootout 2-0. This tight encounter underlined Belgium’s continued growth as they held the world champions level in regular time, pushing the Netherlands to their limits. For the Netherlands, the result capped off a stellar season, as they secured the 2024‑25 Women’s FIH Pro League title, reinforcing their status as the dominant force in women’s hockey.
Highlights: https://watch.hockey/video/821629?playlistId=31126
The 2024–25 Women’s FIH Pro League showcased fierce competition across all levels. From shoot‑out triumphs to narrow losses, the season highlighted emerging talent, national pride, and the small margins that determined victory or defeat.
As teams rebuild and recalibrate ahead of next season and the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, these close-run matches will be fondly remembered, reminding fans that in elite hockey, every moment counts.
