With final ambitions on the line and pride at stake, semi-final day of the FIH Nations Cup 2 delivered high-stakes drama across all four matches. Uruguay and France emerged as the two title contenders with impressive semi-final victories, while Italy dazzled in a dominant display, and Czechia stunned South Africa in a gritty defensive triumph. As the tournament heads into its final day, the battles for silverware, standings, and satisfaction are all still very much alive.

South Africa 0-1 Czechia

Czechia booked their spot in the 5th/6th playoff after withstanding a South African onslaught to edge a 1-0 victory in the 5-8 playoff clash.

It was a dream start for the Europeans as Linda Nova deflected home from a well-worked penalty corner in just the 7th minute. That proved to be the only goal of the game, but South Africa launched wave after wave of pressure in response. The African champions created several circle entries, but were left frustrated by Czechia’s steely defence, the brilliance of goalkeeper Anna Linkova, and their own lack of finishing finesse.

Captain Katerina Lacina was named Player of the Match and shared her delight:

“It was definitely a focus that we wanted to play offensive hockey in this game. We succeeded with our early goal and it feels great. We want to push higher so the goal is to finish fifth tomorrow.”

Italy 5-0 Malaysia

Italy produced a commanding display to sweep past Malaysia and keep their hopes of a fifth-place finish alive with a 5-0 triumph.

Maria Lunghi set the tone with a thunderous penalty corner strike in the 15th minute, and from there, the Italians never looked back. Lola Brea doubled the lead with a superb leading run and finish, before turning provider just before half-time with a perfectly squared pass for Antonella Bruni to tap home.

Italy maintained the pressure in the second half. Teresa Della Vittoria added a fourth with a clinical penalty corner at the end of the third quarter, and Bruni rounded off the scoring by reacting quickest to a rebound in the final period.

Bruni, named Player of the Match, was all smiles after the game:

“We did well today, we delivered on our plans superbly and it makes us really happy. This is a much better demonstration of what Italian Hockey is like. We should have done better and made the semi-finals, but now we want to finish as high as possible.”

Uruguay 2-1 Wales

Uruguay held off a late Welsh fightback to become the first team into the FIH Nations Cup 2025 final, clinching a tense 2-1 victory in the opening semi-final.

Wales, hungry for an upset, struck first when Sarah Jones delivered a pinpoint pass for Anja Atkin to finish from close range. But Uruguay equalised six minutes later as Manuela Vilar ripped a drag flick into the back of the net from a penalty corner.

The decisive moment came after half-time when Teresa Viana was fouled in the circle, leading to a penalty stroke. Viana calmly slotted it low and hard to put her side ahead.

Despite two yellow cards and a flurry of Welsh penalty corners in the closing minutes, Uruguay’s defence stood tall to secure their place in the showpiece.

Vilar, again pivotal for her side, said:

“We are happy to make the final. It was incredibly tough today and we held on well. We are going to do whatever we can to win the final tomorrow.”

France 4-1 Poland

France continued their scintillating form at the FIH Nations Cup, storming into the final with a dominant 4-1 victory over hosts Poland.

It took just four minutes for France to hit the front, with Yohanna Lhopital calmly converting a penalty stroke after Verzura’s goal-bound shot was illegally stopped on the line. The second quarter brought déjà vu for the home side as a penalty corner struck Chmiel on the line, and this time Eve Verzura stepped up to the spot. She fired high and true to double the French advantage.

France’s high press continued to pay dividends as Lhopital and Verzura combined brilliantly to win back possession, surge into the circle, and set up an easy tap-in for Verzura to make it 3-0.

Poland finally gave the home fans something to cheer about late on, with a moment of individual brilliance from Amelia Katerla who rifled home a superb goal. But the joy was short-lived as France restored their three-goal cushion almost immediately. Verzura capitalised on some slack Polish defending to complete her hat-trick and cap a commanding performance.

Verzura, unsurprisingly named Player of the Match, shared her thoughts:
“I didn’t expect this, but I’m delighted with the performance and of course making the final. Uruguay is a team we haven’t played before — I’m looking forward to that challenge tomorrow.”

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

FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 – 21 June 2025

Walcz, Poland (POL)

Result: Match 1
South Africa 0-1 Czechia
Player of the match: Katerina Lacina (CZE)
Umpires: Yogita Pasi (IND), Ilaria Amorosini (ITA),

Result: Match 2
Italy 5-0 Malaysia
Player of the match: Antonella Bruni (ITA)
Umpires: Sharne Meyers (ZIM), Meghan McLennan(CAN)

Result: Match 3
Uruguay 2-1 Wales
Player of the match: Manuela Vilar (URU)
Umpires: Anna Ortega (ESP), Teresa Lipsky (GER)

Result: Match 4
France 4-1 Poland
Player of the match: Eve Verzura (FRA)
Umpires: Kelly-Anne Foskin (NZL), Rob Argent (IRL)

Source: FIH.hockey