Tjep Hoedemakers is a top athlete who knows that happiness and bad luck are very close together. The last two major tournaments in which the Dutch hockey team took gold, was the Nuenense attacker (25) in whole or in part due to injuries that he sustained at the very last moment. Tjep wants to enjoy the current European Championship in Mönchengladbach, Germany. “My injuries have made me realize how nice top hockey can be.”
The Brabant hockey player, who moved to Rotterdam because of his studies, was top fit for the European Championship two years ago, but at the end of the last training he sustained a hamstring injury. “That was quite difficult. I was never injured, but just before the start I missed the tournament. At that time I went to friends and family a lot and I went to watch the European Championship.”
A year later at the Olympic Games in Paris, he could be important for the team of Vughtse National coach Jeroen Delmée. In the semi -final, however, fate struck. With an ankle injury he had to go to the side and went through the final. “Of course I would have preferred to play, but it was no different. I made the best of it and have been a lot among people. If you crawl into yourself after that news, it hurts much more.”
During his rehabilitation, he got to know himself very well. “During those periods you are recovering a lot on your own. That also ensures that you realize extra how nice it is to play a final tournament. Playing international matches is an honor, but you ultimately do it for the tournaments.”
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At the current European Championships in Mönchengladbach, Tjep is again present. The Nuenenaar is not an attacker who dribbles five opponents, but with his speed and energy he is a valued force. During the opening match against Spain, he was immediately of value with a goal.
“We only come for gold.”
“There is a group that has grown towards each other in recent years. A close -knit team with players who can make a difference based on individual qualities. As a European and Olympic champion, we belong to the favorites. We also come for gold only.”
To be physical fit, he has approached the sport much more seriously in recent years. “When I just came to the first of HC Rotterdam, I was half a student. Over the years I have taken a lot of steps in the field of nutrition. Certainly by the Dutch team I made a professionalization battle.”
“It makes me a better person and a better hockey player.”
In addition to his professional career, the former youth player of HC Nuenen, Oranje Zwart and Oranje-Rood is promoting at the vascular surgery department in UMC Utrecht. “I like to do something besides top sport. It makes me a better person and a better hockey player. In the future I want to become a doctor, but my focus will certainly go to hockey in the coming years. I find it much too fun for that.”
European Championship Hockey in Mönchengladbach
After victories over Spain (3-0) and Belgium (4-2), Austria is the third and last opponent in the group on Tuesday 12 August. The semi -final for which the Netherlands has already been placed is on the calendar on Thursday 14 August.