Team De Bovenste Molen 'scores' with Team Oranje (and vice versa!)

Both the Dutch women's and men's field hockey teams became European Champions last summer. During the tournament, both teams stayed at Hotel De Bovenste Molen in Venlo. What was the secret to this double European Championship victory? We asked Brigitte van der Tuin and Wietske de Ruiter from the Royal Dutch Hockey Federation, and they shared their experiences with us: "From Hotel De Bovenste Molen, you can easily walk into the Jaomerdal, a vast and unique nature reserve. The hotel garden is also a great place to relax, either by the water or in one of the many cozy seating areas in nature. 'Walking, running, swimming, training, yoga... you step right into the woods and get to work.'" "In addition to the beautiful surroundings and the charming city center, the hockey players were also very pleased with the hotel's service. 'It was really top-notch!' Brigitte and Wietske exclaim in unison. 'Everyone was so helpful. We didn’t hear a single “no” all week. Not even when the hotel was filled with 200 balloons to celebrate one player’s 200th international match!' adds Wietske. Did the stay at Hotel De Bovenste Molen contribute to the hockey champions taking home the trophies? According to Brigitte, that’s hard to say. Both teams were in great shape and were strong contenders for gold. 'But during such a tournament, it still has to happen. If everything runs smoothly and feels right during your stay, it certainly helps with the bigger picture.'