Koen Bijen, 28, has earned 107 caps for the Dutch national hockey team since 2021. After a football career cut short for being too light, he switched to hockey and has become a key player under coach Jeroen Delmee.
Background
Bijen began his sporting journey in the highest youth team of Excelsior, but was rejected for being too light for the top level. “I was devastated,” he says. His twin brother Tom, who still plays at a high amateur level, remembered the moment as unfair. In 2011 he picked up the stick at HDM, the club of his mother, and progressed through the top selection teams. After a promotion with HDM to the top division followed the familiar message: “Too light for the top.” He later played for Klein Zwitserland, where he held his own, and was eventually picked up by Den Bosch, where he made his debut for Oranje.
Playing style and statistics
Bijen is known for his ability to recover the ball, finish, and keep pressure on the opponent. “Koentje keeps going,” says coach Jeroen Delmee, highlighting his physical and mental perseverance. He has scored 41 goals and provided 22 assists in 96 caps, an impressive record for a runner. His playing style is often compared to doubles tennis, a sport he played at a high level until age twelve.
Recent performances
After the easy group win against Japan, Bijen has 107 caps to his name. He traded the Serbian pin with Novak Djokovic and collects almost daily pins from Olympians in Paris. In the first group match against New Zealand he assisted Tjep Hoedemakers, and in the India match he was the play-maker for a fine goal. His focus on hamstrings and the fact that he has played eight years in the top division without missing a match underscore his dedication to the sport.
