The final day of pool matches at the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 delivered exactly what was expected—high stakes, end-to-end action, heartbreak, and elation. With all four games impacting the race for the semi-finals, it was a day where every goal mattered. France and Uruguay topped their groups, while Wales edged through on goal difference, and hosts Poland delighted the home crowd by keeping their dream alive.

Italy 4-0 Czechia

Italy left it late to turn on the style, but when they did, they delivered a statement performance with four unanswered goals in the second half to keep their semi-final hopes alive, pending the result between France and Wales.

After a goalless and frustrating first half, Maria Lunghi reacted quickest to a penalty corner save to break the deadlock. Guadalope Moras doubled the lead with a wonderful reverse stick strike before Ailin Oviedo and Victoria Cabut added a pair of penalty corner finishes to secure a dominant win.

Player of the Match Lunghi reflected: “We are very happy to get the win, we worked together well today. We now will watch the France game and hope that we can be in the semi-final.”

Wales 1-2 France

Already assured of a semi-final place, France maintained their perfect record, but the real story was Wales, who, despite defeat, celebrated semi-final qualification thanks to a crucial goal that gave them a better goal difference than Italy.

Ines Lardeur’s clinical finish opened the scoring before Yohanna Lhopital’s rocket reverse doubled the French lead, much to the groans of Italian fans. But when Lily Roberts redirected a pinpoint ball into the goal, it meant Wales had done just enough to sneak through.

France’s Lucie Ehrmann shared: “It wasn’t our prettiest hockey, but we stayed composed and focused on the task. We’ll continue our preparation as we have, it’s working well so far!”

Uruguay 4-2 Malaysia

Needing only a draw, Uruguay pushed for more and got it with a composed and confident performance that booked their place in the final four. A brace from Manuela Quinones was the highlight of a clinical showing.

Quinones opened the scoring before Manuela Vilar converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. Malaysia showed fight through two goals from Nur Azhar, but Uruguay always had a response, first via Barrandeguy and then Quinones again with a sharp penalty corner finish.

Lupe Curutchague summed it up: “We worked and fought together superbly. We wanted it more, I think, and we are delighted to be in the semi-finals!”

South Africa 2-3 Poland

A must-win clash for both sides saw hosts Poland edge a thrilling battle to grab the final semi-final spot and send South Africa into the 5–8 bracket.

Quanita Bobbs gave South Africa a dream start, scoring inside the first minute. But Poland hit back almost instantly through Hanna Wochna and added two more via Oliwia Krychniak and a Sandra Tatarczuk penalty stroke. Daniella de Oliveira’s first international goal gave South Africa hope, but they couldn’t find the equaliser in the closing stages.

Polish captain Marlena Rybacha said: “We didn’t necessarily expect this. Like the Indoor World Cup, we’re a team that fights and defends to win. There’s more to come for Polish hockey.”

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, click here.

FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 – 19 June 2025

Walcz, Poland (POL)

Result: Match 1
Italy 4-0 Czechia
Player of the match: Maria Lunghi (ITA)
Umpires: Sharne Meyers (ZIM), Yogita Pasi (IND)

Result: Match 2
Wales 1-2 France
Player of the match: Lucie Ehrmann (FRA)
Umpires: Ilaria Amorosini (ITA), Meghan McLennan(CAN)

Result: Match 3
Uruguay 4-2 Malaysia
Player of the match: Lupe Curutchague (URU)
Umpires: Kelly-Anne Foskin (NZL), Teresa Lipsky (GER)

Result: Match 4
South Africa 2-3 Poland
Player of the match: Hannah Wochna (POL)
Umpires: Jamie Telfer (SCO), Sarah Craig (IRL)