Messages of congratulations and praise came pouring in to Dutch hockey player Maartje Paumen today after she was voted best woman hockey player in the world on Thursday. Paumen is in the Argentinian city of Rosario with the Dutch team for the Champions Trophy.

The Netherlands, Argentina, Great Britain and Germany booked their spots in the last four of the Champions Trophy on Thursday.

The Netherlands, intent on retaining their crown from a year ago in Amsterdam, signalled their title credentials with a commanding 3-0 victory over New Zealand.

Really touched
Paumen – who’s renowned for her penalty corners – was visibly emotional at the ceremony in the Estadio Mundialista stadium.

“Yes, it really touched me,” the 26-year-old captain admitted on Friday. “I was honoured to receive this award while my teammates and coach were present. We’ve been working hard for a couple of years now towards London 2012. My personal success should have a knock on effect on the rest of the team.”

The Dutch hockey champion said she woke up in a blissful state on Friday morning.

“Of course, with all these messages pouring in, I realise at some level I’m the best player in the world. But the reality of it all still has to dawn on me. That makes sense - we’re still in the middle of the tournament. And we still have to win two matches. Only then is our mission accomplished. For me, it would be just fantastic to arrive back in Schiphol next week with two trophies.”

The Dutch will face Argentina in the semi-finals after the hosts scored a late goal to knock off China 3-2 in a hardfought battle at the Estadio Mundialista.

Coach Caldas brought her to new level
Paumen, who has scored 109 times, says she has reached a new level under coach Max Caldas, who took over from Herman Kruis one and a half years ago after the Netherlands lost to Argentina in the world championships.

“He’s given me so much confidence as well as a new position, centre back instead of left back. I’ve made a lot of progress in that position, also because I was able to break through a barrier in my mind.”

Paumen says shes owes her new talent to Caldas and to her partner, international hockey star Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel.

“I never realised before that I was able to do better. Now I live one hundred percent for hockey.”

The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday with the final slated to take place on Sunday.

(jn/tt)

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