Two penalty shootout winning shots during the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics established Ellen Hoog as a decisive figure in international field hockey. Over a career spanning more than a decade, the Bloemendaal-born athlete represented the Netherlands in 232 matches, scoring 60 goals while securing multiple global titles and individual honors during her tenure with the national squad.
Early Career and Club Progression
Hoog started playing field hockey at seven years old. By 2002, at age 16, she joined the senior ranks of the Stichtse Cricket en Hockey Club located in Bilthoven. Her transition to the professional level culminated in her international debut for the Netherlands women's national field hockey team in 2004 at age 17. Her domestic club career concluded with the Amsterdamsche Hockey & Bandy Club in May 2017.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →International Achievements
Her international record includes two Olympic gold medals earned in 2008 and 2012, followed by a silver medal in 2016. She claimed victory in the Champions Trophy in Canberra in 2005 and became a European champion in Dublin that same year. Further success followed with victories in the 2006 and 2014 Women's Hockey World Cup tournaments, the latter of which saw her named the competition's best player.
Technical Proficiency
As a midfielder, Hoog utilized a distinct style defined by reverse shooting and high offensive speed. She relied on a precise and powerful forehand shot to execute penalty corners, an approach that allowed her to navigate defensive lines effectively. Her ability to execute quick directional changes during high-pressure match scenarios contributed to her designation as the FIH Player of the Year in 2014.
Post-Competitive Life
Following her retirement from international play in 2016 and her subsequent departure from club hockey in 2017, Hoog transitioned into other pursuits. She published the book In perfecte conditie in August 2015. She married in June 2017 and gave birth to a daughter in February 2019. The Dutch state recognized her contributions to the sport by appointing her a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Fast facts
- Born: 26 March 1986, Bloemendaal
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Olympic Gold Medals: 2008, 2012
- International Appearances: 232
- International Goals: 60
- FIH Player of the Year: 2014
- Award: Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau
Questions readers ask
What was Ellen Hoog's signature skill?
She was recognized for her reverse shooting technique and her precise, powerful forehand shot used during penalty corners.
How many Olympic medals did she win?
She won two gold medals in 2008 and 2012, and one silver medal in 2016.
