The Netherlands completed the first leg of an attempted triple crown of tournaments with victory at the four-nation Hamburg Masters over the weekend.

The tournament was the first event in a busy month for the Olympic silver medallists as they chase automatic World Cup qualification at the European Nations Cup in Germany in late-August.

After a pair of victories over Australia and Pakistan in the opening two rounds  in Hamburg, Netherlands needed only a draw against home team Germany on Sunday to take the title.

Earlier Australia had defeated Pakistan 4-3 to complete their three matches and keep pressure on Netherlands.

Netherlands fell behind twice in the match however before Roderick Weusthoff struck with a penalty corner goal with four minutes remaining to level the scores at 2-2 and secure the title.

Action this week moves to Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen for the Rabo Trophy, with eight of the top men’s teams competing in another invitational tournament. Competition started on Sunday with Spain and Korea both victorious on the opening day over India and England respectively.

The Hamburg Masters and the Rabo Trophy are serving as warm-up events for the European Nations Cup in Leipzig starting 28 August, where spots at the 2006 BDO Hockey World Cup are on offer.

In other international action over the weekend, the women's European Nations Cup got underway in Dublin with Germany, Netehrlands, England and Ireland on day one.

Visit the tournament websites:
Hamburg Masters
Rabo Trophy
European Nations Cup - Men
European Nations Cup - Women