FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026, Bronze Medal Game: Belgium vs Australia | #HWC2026

It's a very good afternoon everyone, the final day of the FIH Hockey World Cup here in Amstelveen. The women's competition has arrived and before the showpiece we settle the question of who finishes third. Belgium and Australia come into this bronze medal match carrying heartbreak from Friday's semi-finals. For the Red Panthers, the fallout from that emotional razor-edge finish against the Dutch has dominated the conversation. Australia's narrow defeat to Argentina was another that went right to the wire. And for Australia here, who comes out on top after two wonderful weeks of hockey? It all comes down to the final day, the showpiece finale to come. First up, bronze. And there's a sense that Belgium and Australia may need to release every last drop of emotion in this bronze medal battle. They used different terms for it, but that's exactly what they've done. They really both are part of their teams, and as we can see, they're coming out to play today. And the ball, watch it, of course, and the first drop of the day for Jocelyn Bartram. Dished away by the umpires, and Kershaw! All on her own! What does she do here? Kershaw wide! Yeah, we see that, just tipping it behind the defender. She runs through. She gets her eyes up to see where the keeper is, but misses the target. I'm excited. She's out. It was a great driver and carry out. It's a bit high on the reverse stick. They're running pretty well, and then she just attacks the space. She forces the save off the keeper. Missed at the country. The baseline they come, was that a foot? Oh, was that a foot? Yes, it was. Yes. Communication from the umpires, and now we will see the first threat of Belgium from the top of the day, just in time. It's going to be hit this time, and then... On the back, that's another goal in this World Cup. Devastating finish from Lotte on the back. You see the penalty corner going into the second castle. She just takes it with such ease and smashes it. Turned over here, Perez and Van Heel, puts the brakes on, and it's going to be a penalty corner. I hope y'all can keep that in mind. So we see a push coming in, a turn over. And it will be Van den Bogaert with the flick, and that's a good start. Absolute full-stretch, Bartram there. Thank you. Yeah, we see that penalty corner once again. This was the crucial save from Bartram. She gets such... Cash. Kershaw is going to pick it up here. She's all on her own. Kershaw is going to get a free hit on the edge of the circle. Kershaw's got to take it to five, and has done. Kershaw's still, and now Australia get their turn at the other end. Thank you. Kershaw on the best hit. Change at the other end, it's going to be Wilson. Back into play, Sharman picking it up now. And Sharman. I'm sorry. It's come off the foot, outside. Yeah, thank you. He's going to get rid of the defensive kit. Thank you. Yeah, we've seen that opportunity. Thank you. Oh, and Unglebert has stolen it back from Wilson. Unglaubert to the baseline, across, and that was crucial. Because that was being put away by Vaheys. Yeah, we see that attack from Engelberg. She does so well on the baseline once again. But Bostrom on that one. She said, such a crucial save. Lawton here. Lawton on the turn. It will be a penalty corner for Australia. Thank you. Janel does well on the baseline. Driving it. Searching for the foot, but managing to also... get the stick and the ball into danger will they try something different here youngin it will be colwell corner from Caldwell she doesn't really get a good grip on it Thank you. this is that aerial function now The guy down to the ball as Benitez has it for Belgium. see the crowd getting behind them Williams into the final turn. It's Belgium ball. And here they come now with De Geijs. She can get it into the circle and finish it. But she's got to run out of time. Belgium, they've been determined to leave the Netherlands here with bronze. And they've got it. After the emotion of their semi-final defeat against the Netherlands. Smiles, as they are on the podium. Bronze belongs to them, thanks to Angela Baird's goal in the first half. That's all it took. And Australia pushed and pushed towards the end. But great defensive resolve from Belgium. And they will take the bronze medal here at this World Cup.