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Ellen Hoog, one of the biggest stars in women’s hockey, has been called the 'player of the year' by FIH. Off the field, she has grown to be a social celebrity!

Ellen Hoog: facts and figures

European Champion twice

World Champion twice 2006, 2014

Olympic Champion twice 2008, 2012

Hockey Club Amsterdam, AH, BC

The international hockey corporation FIH called you the best player of the past year. What do you think of this?

Lo considero un grande onore, una bellissima ricompensa personale, ma tutto si riduce al gioco di squadra.

Quando e dove hai iniziato la tua carriera nell’hockey?

I started playing at the age of seven, at SCHC in Bilthoven (NL).

Are there other players in your family?

You could surely say so! Both my parents played at Bloemendaal and my two older brothers like to set foot on the pitch as well. As from the age of seven, I held a hockey stick in my hands and today I still do.

What does success mean to you?

The team process, the goals you set and the roads towards victory - which often is as beautiful as it is tough.

Which of your characteristics contribute to the game?

My persistence, discipline, energy, positivity and my optimism. Not to forget the pleasure, because I love the fact that hockey plays such a big part in my life.

Were you able to combine your education with playing hockey on such a high level?

I didn’t finish my studies, going to uni and playing hockey at the same time was just too much. After all the training and the physiotherapy I had nearly no time left to study.

Are you feeling confident about yourself, about the game?

Ultimamente questa sensazione di fiducia sta crescendo — è qualcosa di cui non puoi fare a meno se sei un atleta professionista! L’aspetto mentale è molto importante, perché se fossi insicuro, si noterebbe in campo.

Raccontami uno dei tuoi momenti migliori quando eri una giovane giocatrice di hockey.

The first match I played as member of the B1-team at SCHC, we turned out to be national champions. There was no pressure, only fun!

What kind of goals do you set for yourself?

I find it very important to perform well each game, and I try to play better every time. I set my standards at a very high level.

Have you ever played a different position in the field?

Yes, I’ve been in the goal for one time, but I let five balls slip through. Not such a great success, so we could say. In the second half of the game I got back on the field, after which I immediately scored five times to even it up.

What’s your ultimate goal?

At the moment I’d say Rio, we’re going after gold for the third time.

If you could give some kind of advice on top-hockey to younger players, what would it be?

First of all, it has to be ‚you’ wanting to play yourself — you shouldn’t feel obliged by your parents. Make sure you’re always training towards a higher level of competition. Practice on your backhand and your strength. But most of all, you need to enjoy the game and have lots of fun with your team.

Quali sono i tuoi ‚bonus points’ on the field, and how do you train for this?

Tiri di rovescio, occhi puntati alla porta. Mi alleno molto sul rovescio e spesso provo qualche colpo. Ogni tanto guardo anche qualche video.

How fast can you make your decision in the field?

I can decide so fast, it actually goes unnoticed. If something isn’t going well, I take side and sit on the bench for a couple of minutes. Then we tackle the problem with the team and see what we can do about it.

Sei tu a occuparti della tattica?

Nella nostra squadra, Maartje Paumen e Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel si occupano della tattica. Discutono le possibilità di gioco con il nostro allenatore e si assicurano che ci sia abbastanza energia nel gruppo.

Come analizzi i tuoi avversari?

Guardando video.

How do you feel about the new rules, with quarters instead of halves?

I don’t like it at all, I’d rather see it turned back. It’s a big disadvantage, for your rythm disappears completely and you lose your concentration. On top of that, our team doesn’t need the extra resting time, we’re all fit enough.

How do you look back at the world championship in The Hague?

It was great! There were about 15 000 fans who all yelled, sang, screamed and chanted us towards victory.

Do you miss your old coach, Max Caldas?

Absolutely. But of course we’re very happy to have Sjoerd. It a different process as well as a different kind of coaching. Some change from time to time helps to keep you focused.

Come ti stai preparando per la World League e le Olimpiadi?

Sono appena tornata da Valencia, dove abbiamo fatto un clinic con tutta la squadra. Abbiamo analizzato la Champions Trophy e ne siamo abbastanza soddisfatti. Dall’inizio della stagione estiva saremo inarrestabili!

What’s your favourite way to relax?

Going out for lunch with my girlfriends, going shopping, that kind of stuff. No hockey! But I surely don’t lead a wild life, I prefer to tuck in early.

What’s the best place on earth according to you?

Amo Amsterdam, la mia città natale. La California viene subito dopo. Un’estate ci sono stata per un mese, girando lo stato in camper insieme al mio ragazzo. È stato fantastico. Ma non direi di no nemmeno alle Seychelles!

Over 170 000 likes on Facebook, that’s kind of special isn’t it?

È vero, molte persone apprezzano il mio profilo. Pubblico tutto ciò che mi interessa, una varietà di foto e informazioni. Così chi mi segue può conoscermi anche dietro le quinte.

Who do you consider your great example?

Non ho un vero e proprio idolo, ma ammiro moltissimo chi torna in campo dopo infortuni o malattie.

What do you do next to hockey?

A little bit of everything. I write a blog about healthy food, I give professional presentations, I take care of sponsors and I organise clinics.

Superfoods and Ellen, what can you tell us about this?

Sono un grande fan dei superfood. Credo sia molto importante mangiare in modo sano, perché dà più energia e fa sentire molto meglio. Mangiare sano è fondamentale anche quando si sta recuperando da un infortunio.

Since when do you work with an agency that takes care of sponsoring and communication?

I started it a few years ago, because I was getting to busy to keep doing it myself. It’s much better now they take care of my contacts and contracts alike.