Bent low, stick close to the turf, eyes locked on the ball, Lola Riera Zuzuarregui cuts a familiar figure on the blue turf. There is purpose in her movement and calm in her posture, the unmistakable presence of a player who has seen nearly everything the sport can offer. Three Olympic Games, more than 200 international caps, and over 110 goals later, the Spanish defender remains driven not by legacy, but by something simpler: joy.&nbsp;Ahead of the Hockey India League season, Riera arrived in India earlier than most, not to train, but to explore. Before the intensity of competition took over, she travelled across Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, immersing herself in a country she had long wanted to experience. “I knew that once the league started, it would be impossible,” she said in an exclusive interview with WION. “So I wanted to use this opportunity.”&nbsp;Choosing North India for her first visit, she found the experience overwhelming in the best possible way. The Taj Mahal left its mark, Jaipur’s colours lingered, and New Delhi felt worlds apart from anything she was used to back home. But more than monuments, it was the people who stayed with her. “They were amazing in all the cities,” she says simply. “I really like this country.”&nbsp;That openness carried seamlessly into the SG Pipers camp. For Riera, playing in the Hockey India League was never something she had planned. She had watched the men’s league from afar, admired its scale and atmosphere, but didn’t expect to be part of it herself. “Being here, playing with this team, for me it’s an amazing experience,” she admits. The reputation of the HIL, intense matches, packed stands, and relentless noise, proved to be no exaggeration. “The crowd is crazy,” Riera says. “And for us as players, this is what we want to live. This is why you play.”&nbsp;Comparisons, however, are difficult. European club hockey, international tournaments, and World Cups, none quite mirror the rhythm of the HIL. With squads blending Indian and international players, matches feel unpredictable and emotionally charged. “I cannot compare it with any tournament I’ve played,” she says. “Everything here is spectacular.”Despite arriving as one of the most experienced players in the squad, Riera’s transition into the team was effortless. She was the first overseas player to join, but quickly felt at home. “In a few days, I felt like these players were my teammates for a long time,” she reflects. The young Indian players, she says, learn fast and play with fearlessness. “They are so young, but they have big talent. It makes everything easy.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-2026-mumbai-indians-appoint-kristen-beams-as-new-spin-bowling-coach-1767016506097">WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians appoint Kristen Beams as new spin bowling coach</a>&nbsp;Leadership, for her, isn’t about authority. It’s about example. She balances defensive discipline with attacking instinct by trusting structure first. “If you don’t defend well, you lose the game,” she says. With constant communication from the goalkeepers and freedom in attack, she embraces unpredictability, a quality that has made her one of the most dangerous defenders of her generation. Her conversations with head coach Sofie and the management set the tone early. The message was clear: enjoy the game. “This is hockey,” Riera recalls being told. “We want to enjoy every moment.” That mantra, she believes, removes pressure and allows players to express themselves fully.&nbsp;Even illness couldn’t break that rhythm. A stomach issue sent her to the hospital for several hours the night before a game, a result, she laughs, of loving Indian food perhaps a little too much. Yet the next day, she played. “When you want to play, your mind is more important than your body,” she says. On the field, she forgot she was unwell, instinct taking over where discomfort ended.&nbsp;Now, as SG Pipers rebuild after a difficult previous season, Riera’s ambition is straightforward. “Of course, we want to win the tournament,” she says. But the approach remains grounded, one match at a time, constant improvement, shared belief. At this stage of a glittering career, experiences like India still add something new. “I didn’t expect to be here,” Riera admits again. “But I’m learning a lot, from the staff, the players, the tournament.” For a player who has already achieved so much, that curiosity might be her greatest strength. Because for Lola Riera Zuzuarregui, the medals matter, but the joy of playing, of discovering, of still feeling alive on the pitch, matters more.

From the Taj Mahal to the blue turf of Hockey India League: How India gave Lola Riera Zuzuarregui a new dimension to her career

Bent low, stick close to the turf, eyes locked on the ball, Lola Riera Zuzuarregui cuts a familiar figure on the blue turf. There is purpose in her movement and calm in her posture, the unmistakable presence of a player who has seen nearly everything the sport can offer. Three Olympic Games, more than 200 international caps, and over 110 goals later, the Spanish defender remains driven not by legacy, but by something simpler: joy. Ahead of the Hockey India League season, Riera arrived in India earlier than most, not to train, but to explore. Before the intensity of competition took over, she travelled across Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, immersing herself in a country she had long wanted to experience. “I knew that once the league started, it would be impossible,” she said in an exclusive interview with WION. “So I wanted to use this opportunity.” Choosing North India for her first visit, she found the experience overwhelming in the best possible way. The Taj Mahal left its mark, Jaipur’s colours lingered, and New Delhi felt worlds apart from anything she was used to back home. But more than monuments, it was the people who stayed with her. “They were amazing in all the cities,” she says simply. “I really like this country.” That openness carried seamlessly into the SG Pipers camp. For Riera, playing in the Hockey India League was never something she had planned. She had watched the men’s league from afar, admired its scale and atmosphere, but didn’t expect to be part of it herself. “Being here, playing with this team, for me it’s an amazing experience,” she admits. The reputation of the HIL, intense matches, packed stands, and relentless noise, proved to be no exaggeration. “The crowd is crazy,” Riera says. “And for us as players, this is what we want to live. This is why you play.” Comparisons, however, are difficult. European club hockey, international tournaments, and World Cups, none quite mirror the rhythm of the HIL. With squads blending Indian and international players, matches feel unpredictable and emotionally charged. “I cannot compare it with any tournament I’ve played,” she says. “Everything here is spectacular.” Despite arriving as one of the most experienced players in the squad, Riera’s transition into the team was effortless. She was the first overseas player to join, but quickly felt at home. “In a few days, I felt like these players were my teammates for a long time,” she reflects. The young Indian players, she says, learn fast and play with fearlessness. “They are so young, but they have big talent. It makes everything easy.” Also Read: WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians appoint Kristen Beams as new spin bowling coach Leadership, for her, isn’t about authority. It’s about example. She balances defensive discipline with attacking instinct by trusting structure first. “If you don’t defend well, you lose the game,” she says. With constant communication from the goalkeepers and freedom in attack, she embraces unpredictability, a quality that has made her one of the most dangerous defenders of her generation. Her conversations with head coach Sofie and the management set the tone early. The message was clear: enjoy the game. “This is hockey,” Riera recalls being told. “We want to enjoy every moment.” That mantra, she believes, removes pressure and allows players to express themselves fully. Even illness couldn’t break that rhythm. A stomach issue sent her to the hospital for several hours the night before a game, a result, she laughs, of loving Indian food perhaps a little too much. Yet the next day, she played. “When you want to play, your mind is more important than your body,” she says. On the field, she forgot she was unwell, instinct taking over where discomfort ended. Now, as SG Pipers rebuild after a difficult previous season, Riera’s ambition is straightforward. “Of course, we want to win the tournament,” she says. But the approach remains grounded, one match at a time, constant improvement, shared belief. At this stage of a glittering career, experiences like India still add something new. “I didn’t expect to be here,” Riera admits again. “But I’m learning a lot, from the staff, the players, the tournament.” For a player who has already achieved so much, that curiosity might be her greatest strength. Because for Lola Riera Zuzuarregui, the medals matter, but the joy of playing, of discovering, of still feeling alive on the pitch, matters more.

In an exclusive interview with WION, Lola Riera reflects on India, intensity, and joy as the Spanish legend embraces a new challenge with SG Pipers in the Hockey India League

There is a calm authority in the way Sofie Gierts carries herself, composed, observant, and quietly assured. In images, she doesn’t look like a coach who overwhelms a room. Instead, she looks like one who listens first. That balance between control and openness defines her approach as she prepares for a new Hockey India League season with the SG Pipers. For Gierts, success in a short, high-pressure tournament doesn’t begin with formations or fitness charts. It begins with something far less visible.&nbsp;“The biggest challenge is to build a relationship of trust within the players,” she said while replying to a question from WION during a round-table. “In the ups, it’s easy to manage. In the downs, trust is what makes the difference.” In a league where momentum can shift within minutes, she believes trust is the only constant teams can rely on. Every player in the squad, she insists, carries equal importance. “There is no difference between foreign players and Indian players. Everybody has a role to play,” Gierts explains. “Everybody must understand that role, and everybody needs openness and trust within the team.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tragedy-strikes-bangladesh-premier-league-dhaka-assistant-coach-zaki-dies-after-collapsing-before-game-1766836077740">Bangladesh Premier League: Dhaka Capitals' assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki collapses before game, dies</a>&nbsp;The Hockey India League’s reputation for speed and intensity doesn’t intimidate her. Modern hockey, she feels, has reached a universal pace. “Fast hockey is what we see in every competition now,” she notes. What stands out in India, however, is something more specific: the ability to attack at speed while carrying the ball. “The pace of running with the ball is quite impressive in India,” she says. “That’s something we can learn from.” Rather than imposing a rigid philosophy, Gierts is focused on blending styles. “What I’m looking most forward to is learning from Indian players, how they see the game, how they play it, how they interpret concepts,” she explains. “It’s quite different, and there are things we can take to other nations as well.”&nbsp;That curiosity extends to the mindset of young Indian players, something that has pleasantly surprised her. “They dare to speak, they dare to give their opinion, they dare to say what they want and what they don’t like,” she says. “That’s a quality only exceptional players have.” Off the pitch, the transition into the Indian setup has been smooth. “Everything looks very professional, very good, very organised,” she says of the facilities and preparation. What she is most eager for now is the atmosphere that comes with a packed stadium.&nbsp;“That’s something unique,” Gierts says. “India can probably claim the best crowd in the world, and that’s only enjoyable for us.” Her coaching journey — spanning playing days, women’s teams, and men’s club hockey, has taught her that while the game has become faster and more physical, the human side has evolved just as much. “We work more in a co-creation environment now than a top-down one,” she explains. “The job of a coach is to adapt to the team and give the athletes what they need.”&nbsp;As the season approaches, Gierts remains realistic. There will be highs. There will be lows. No team escapes that cycle. What matters is preparation for the moments when things don’t go according to plan. “You can do everything on the pitch,” she says, “but it’s the level of trust that defines how you deal with difficult moments.”

SG Pipers coach Sophie says trust, learning from Indian players, and blending styles will be key to handling pressure in the fast-paced Hockey India League.

There is a calm authority in the way Sofie Gierts carries herself, composed, observant, and quietly assured. In images, she doesn’t look like a coach who overwhelms a room. Instead, she looks like one who listens first. That balance between control and openness defines her approach as she prepares for a new Hockey India League season with the SG Pipers. For Gierts, success in a short, high-pressure tournament doesn’t begin with formations or fitness charts. It begins with something far less visible. “The biggest challenge is to build a relationship of trust within the players,” she said while replying to a question from WION during a round-table. “In the ups, it’s easy to manage. In the downs, trust is what makes the difference.” In a league where momentum can shift within minutes, she believes trust is the only constant teams can rely on. Every player in the squad, she insists, carries equal importance. “There is no difference between foreign players and Indian players. Everybody has a role to play,” Gierts explains. “Everybody must understand that role, and everybody needs openness and trust within the team.” Also Read: Bangladesh Premier League: Dhaka Capitals' assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki collapses before game, dies The Hockey India League’s reputation for speed and intensity doesn’t intimidate her. Modern hockey, she feels, has reached a universal pace. “Fast hockey is what we see in every competition now,” she notes. What stands out in India, however, is something more specific: the ability to attack at speed while carrying the ball. “The pace of running with the ball is quite impressive in India,” she says. “That’s something we can learn from.” Rather than imposing a rigid philosophy, Gierts is focused on blending styles. “What I’m looking most forward to is learning from Indian players, how they see the game, how they play it, how they interpret concepts,” she explains. “It’s quite different, and there are things we can take to other nations as well.” That curiosity extends to the mindset of young Indian players, something that has pleasantly surprised her. “They dare to speak, they dare to give their opinion, they dare to say what they want and what they don’t like,” she says. “That’s a quality only exceptional players have.” Off the pitch, the transition into the Indian setup has been smooth. “Everything looks very professional, very good, very organised,” she says of the facilities and preparation. What she is most eager for now is the atmosphere that comes with a packed stadium. “That’s something unique,” Gierts says. “India can probably claim the best crowd in the world, and that’s only enjoyable for us.” Her coaching journey — spanning playing days, women’s teams, and men’s club hockey, has taught her that while the game has become faster and more physical, the human side has evolved just as much. “We work more in a co-creation environment now than a top-down one,” she explains. “The job of a coach is to adapt to the team and give the athletes what they need.” As the season approaches, Gierts remains realistic. There will be highs. There will be lows. No team escapes that cycle. What matters is preparation for the moments when things don’t go according to plan. “You can do everything on the pitch,” she says, “but it’s the level of trust that defines how you deal with difficult moments.”

SG Pipers coach Sophie says trust, learning from Indian players, and blending styles will be key to handling pressure in the fast-paced Hockey India League.

'Trust is what separates strong teams from the rest', says SG Pipers' head coach Sofie Gierts ahead of HIL 2025-26 season

Indian hockey found its rhythm in Chennai on Tuesday as Sitaare Aur Soorma, an on-field programme by JSW Sports’ Soorma Hockey Club, brought together former greats, current international players and young academy athletes. The event took place at the Ramchandra University Ground and focused on celebrating the sport’s rich history as well as its future. Rather than being a formal event, it was a hockey gathering where students, fans, media and players shared the same space and connected through their love for the game.&nbsp;Adding to the moment was the unveiling of Soorma&nbsp;Hockey&nbsp;Club's new jersey, revealed in the presence of players and youngsters alike, symbolising the bridge between the club's legacy and the next generation set to wear its colours.&nbsp;From the moment gates opened, the ground began filling up with young trainees and institute students, setting the tone for a day that was as much about inspiration as it was about hockey.&nbsp;The action began with structured hockey clinics led by Rani Rampal and Sardar Singh, where children trained across three stations focused on attack, midfield, and defence. Rather than a one-way session, the clinics remained interactive throughout, with players stopping to explain movements, correct positioning and encourage questions.&nbsp;This was followed by a lively 7-a-side exhibition match, played across four short quarters, featuring combinations of Soorma&nbsp;Hockey&nbsp;Club's men's and women's teams alongside Indian hockey legends - Vasudevan Baskaran and Mohammed Riaz. The format blurred generations and gender, and the energy on the field reflected the spirit of the occasion.&nbsp;One of the most moving moments of the evening came during the legend felicitation, when stalwarts of Indian hockey were welcomed onto the field and honoured in front of the next generation. As the legends stood shoulder to shoulder with current players during the Soorma&nbsp;Hockey&nbsp;Club jersey reveal, the symbolism was unmistakable, continuity, respect and shared ownership of the sport.&nbsp;Elated on this occasion Philippe Goldberg, Head Coach of Soorma&nbsp;Hockey&nbsp;Club stated, "For me, what's most important is that the team always comes first. We have big names and a lot of talent. The focus is on building something together, on and off the field, and playing as one unit. If we do that, the results and the joy of the game will follow, and we can inspire young kids in India through the way we play."&nbsp;Jude Menezes, Head Coach, Soorma&nbsp;Hockey&nbsp;Club, Women's team said, "The overseas players have felt very welcome and have embraced Indian culture, which has been great to see. The girls are fit, prepared, and know their hockey well. Now it's about spending more time together and building strong on-field connections."&nbsp;Sitaare Aur Soorma, an initiative by JSW Sports' Soorma&nbsp;Hockey&nbsp;Club, stood as a reminder that Indian hockey's strength lies not just in results, but in continuity; where legends inspire stars, and stars shape the dreams of the next generation, the release said.

One of the most moving moments of the evening came during the legend felicitation, when stalwarts of Indian hockey were welcomed onto the field and honoured in front of the next generation.

Indian hockey found its rhythm in Chennai on Tuesday as Sitaare Aur Soorma, an on-field programme by JSW Sports’ Soorma Hockey Club, brought together former greats, current international players and young academy athletes. The event took place at the Ramchandra University Ground and focused on celebrating the sport’s rich history as well as its future. Rather than being a formal event, it was a hockey gathering where students, fans, media and players shared the same space and connected through their love for the game. Adding to the moment was the unveiling of Soorma Hockey Club's new jersey, revealed in the presence of players and youngsters alike, symbolising the bridge between the club's legacy and the next generation set to wear its colours. From the moment gates opened, the ground began filling up with young trainees and institute students, setting the tone for a day that was as much about inspiration as it was about hockey. The action began with structured hockey clinics led by Rani Rampal and Sardar Singh, where children trained across three stations focused on attack, midfield, and defence. Rather than a one-way session, the clinics remained interactive throughout, with players stopping to explain movements, correct positioning and encourage questions. This was followed by a lively 7-a-side exhibition match, played across four short quarters, featuring combinations of Soorma Hockey Club's men's and women's teams alongside Indian hockey legends - Vasudevan Baskaran and Mohammed Riaz. The format blurred generations and gender, and the energy on the field reflected the spirit of the occasion. One of the most moving moments of the evening came during the legend felicitation, when stalwarts of Indian hockey were welcomed onto the field and honoured in front of the next generation. As the legends stood shoulder to shoulder with current players during the Soorma Hockey Club jersey reveal, the symbolism was unmistakable, continuity, respect and shared ownership of the sport. Elated on this occasion Philippe Goldberg, Head Coach of Soorma Hockey Club stated, "For me, what's most important is that the team always comes first. We have big names and a lot of talent. The focus is on building something together, on and off the field, and playing as one unit. If we do that, the results and the joy of the game will follow, and we can inspire young kids in India through the way we play." Jude Menezes, Head Coach, Soorma Hockey Club, Women's team said, "The overseas players have felt very welcome and have embraced Indian culture, which has been great to see. The girls are fit, prepared, and know their hockey well. Now it's about spending more time together and building strong on-field connections." Sitaare Aur Soorma, an initiative by JSW Sports' Soorma Hockey Club, stood as a reminder that Indian hockey's strength lies not just in results, but in continuity; where legends inspire stars, and stars shape the dreams of the next generation, the release said.

One of the most moving moments of the evening came during the legend felicitation, when stalwarts of Indian hockey were welcomed onto the field and honoured in front of the next generation.

Soorma Hockey Club unveils new jersey ahead of Hockey India League season

The Hockey India League returns after seven years with a new structure and the inclusion of women's teams. Matches will take place from December 28 to February 5 in Rourkela and Ranchi.

Hockey India League Returns After a Seven-year Hiatus

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From the Taj Mahal to the blue turf of Hockey India League: How India gave Lola Riera Zuzuarregui a new dimension to her career

'Trust is what separates strong teams from the rest', says Sofie ahead of season

Soorma Hockey Club unveils new jersey ahead of Hockey India League season

Hockey India League Returns After a Seven-year Hiatus