Maartje Paumen

Date of Birth: 19th September 1985
Position: Left back or left half
Club: HC Den Bosch

Despite her young age, Maartje could already stop playing hockey because she has won everything there is to win in her hockey career. At the seven major tournaments she has played in since her debut in the Dutch team (2004) she has won no fewer than six gold medals and one silver. At the same time she has won four national titles in a row with her club HC Den Bosch and the same number of European Cup titles.

When we ask her for her favourite match memories, two moments come to the fore: “The World Championship final in 2006 and of course the victorious Olympic final in Beijing, in particular the last 10 seconds of the final.....when you just know that you have won and the stadium goes wild!! Fantastic!!”

Maartje on herself

During training I really enjoy playing small games and like most hockey players I think the running training is the least enjoyable thing about hockey, but it is a running sport so you need to be in good shape.

Away from hockey I prefer to have fun with friends, not “having” to do anything is great. During a tournament you very much live from hour to hour and sometimes you can be training ten times a week on a very tight schedule. So it’s wonderful when you’re at home and you can divide up your time as you want, entirely relaxed.

Apart from hockey I enjoy tennis, Henin, although she has stopped unfortunately, and Federer of course. But really I enjoy watching any sport, even football. But if I could excel in something, then it would be snowboarding .....and tennis.

Facts about Maartje

I don’t specially eat pasta before a game, a brown bread sandwich or a bowl of yoghurt with cruesli is excellent. When I have time off I like eating tapas and pizza, wonderful.

I'm not really superstitious, but I often wear the same undersocks during big matches!

Most of all I like playing in the ASICS GEL-PLATINUM, the best boot I have ever played in.

The music I have on my MP3 player is mostly Top 40 with a little bit of Dance.