Spain's women’s hockey team made a triumphant debut at the Pro League, securing a thrilling victory over China. The match held on February 5, 2025, at Sydney Olympic Park, saw the Spanish team, known as the RedSticks, challenge the current Olympic runners-up and ended with Spain winning 3-2 after the shootouts following a 2-2 tie at the final whistle.
From the outset, the Spanish squad exhibited offensive intent, creating numerous scoring opportunities yet failed to convert those chances early on. Despite this, their persistence paid off as the game unfolded. The Chinese team was the first to break the deadlock, exploiting their first penalty corner to score through their ace player Dan Wen, catching the Spanish defense off-guard three minutes after the third quarter commenced.
Spain's response was swift and measured; just minutes later, Lucía Jiménez initiated the counterattack, setting up Floren Amundson, who leveled the match soon after China's opening goal. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued, with China regaining the lead through another penalty corner goal from Ou Zixia, leaving Spain trailing once again.
Facing adversity, Spain displayed resilience, with the team equalizing late thanks to captain Xantal Giné, who found the net with just over one minute left to play, pushing the game to shootouts.
Once the shootouts commenced, Spain's confidence carried through, converting two out of their three attempts. Marta Segú, Xantal Giné, and Lucía Jiménez demonstrated their composure, transforming their chances and securing the additional point for Spain, making the final score of the shootout 3-2. This victory not only marks a significant start to their Pro League campaign but also boosts the team's morale as they look forward to subsequent matches.
The next challenge for the Spanish women’s team will be against Australia, where they will aim to build on this successful debut, showcasing their abilities and aspirations within the tournament. They have also scheduled to face China again on February 7 and Australia on February 8.
While the women celebrated their success, the men's team experienced contrasting fortunes, falling to the Netherlands 4-2, placing them at the bottom of their group. The distinction between the two teams was stark, with the men falling short against strong Dutch opponents, who have maintained dominance over Spain, winning every previous matchup. This discrepancy highlights the pressure on the men's squad to regroup and seek improvements moving forward.
Overall, Spain's women's team’s strong start serves as both inspiration and determination for the men's side as both squads navigate their respective challenges within the Pro League.