Celebrating her 200th cap, Hoog struck twice in the second quarter of the Pool A encounter before notching her third in the 53rd minute.

The Netherlands were already three goals to the good by the time the striker had got her name on the scoresheet as they set about justifying their world number one ranking.

Kelly Jonker and Eva de Goede started the scoring with a goal apiece in the first quarter before Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel extended the advantage five minutes into the second.

Hoog fired home on the 25-minute mark following a steal by team mate Valerie Magis and she doubled her tally on the stroke of half-time, burying the ball into the top of the net having been picked out by Ginelle Zerbo.

A second for Jonker coupled with a trademark penalty corner from captain Maartje Paumen made it 7-0 by the end of the third quarter and the rout was complete in the final stanza courtesy of Hoog’s third and a goal for Marloes Keetels.

"That was the way we wanted to play," said De Goede.

"Sometimes we pass, pass, pass; we over think it; this was just good, attacking hockey."

In the other Pool A match, Belgium played out a goalless draw against Spain, while in Pool B, hosts England came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 thanks to goals from captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and partner Helen Richardson-Walsh before Lisa Altenburg, Hannah Kruger, Lydia Haase and Marie Mävers guided holders Germany to a 4-0 success against Italy.

Meanwhile in the men’s competition, defending champions Germany began their quest for a third consecutive European crown with a 4-0 win against Belgium.

Germany's opponents, who are currently ranked fourth in the world, had the better of the early exchanges in the Pool B clash and more than held their own until the deadlock was broken by Niklas Wellen in the 42nd minute.

A second goal for Wellen sandwiched in between strikes from Constantin Staib and Florian Fuchs marked a period of domination for Germany through to the end of the match as they recorded their biggest win over Belgium since 2007.

"Belgium always put us under high pressure," said Germany defender Linus Butt.

"They press well and we found it very hard to both stop them scoring and making any chances ourselves."

The first match in Pool B saw Ireland overcome France 4-3 in a topsy-turvy encounter.

Goals from France’s Jean-Laurent Kieffer and Gaspard Baumgarten overturned Kyle Good’s opener but Ireland fought back and proceeded to move into a 4-2 lead with Peter Caruth, Jonathan Bruton and Shane O’Donoghue all finding the net. 

Simon Martin-Brisac’s late strike for France proved to be academic as Ireland put their first three points on the board.

Tomorrow’s men’s action sees The Netherlands face England in Pool A following Spain’s clash with Russia in the same group.

In Pool B, France play Belgium before Ireland go up against Germany.

There are also two matches in Pool A of the women’s competition as Spain face The Netherlands after Poland’s meeting with Belgium.



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