**2012–13 Women’s FIH Hockey World League Final**
The 2012–13 Women’s FIH Hockey World League Final was the concluding tournament of the inaugural edition of the Women’s FIH Hockey World League, an international field hockey competition organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Held in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, from November 30 to December 8, 2013, the event featured the top eight national teams competing for the championship title.
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## Overview
The 2012–13 Women’s FIH Hockey World League Final marked the culmination of the first season of the FIH Hockey World League, a new competition designed to provide more frequent and competitive international matches for national teams. The tournament brought together the eight best teams from the qualification rounds held worldwide, showcasing elite-level women’s field hockey.
The event took place at the Club Natación y Gimnasia in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. The choice of venue highlighted Argentina’s strong tradition in women’s field hockey and its capacity to host major international sporting events.
## Background
### The FIH Hockey World League Concept
Introduced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in 2012, the Hockey World League was created to replace and complement existing international competitions such as the Champions Trophy and the Hockey World Cup qualification process. The league was structured in multiple rounds, allowing teams from all over the world to participate and progress through the stages based on their performance.
The 2012–13 season was the inaugural edition of the Women’s FIH Hockey World League. It featured four rounds: Round 1 and Round 2 were regional qualification events, Round 3 was a semifinal stage, and the Final was the championship tournament.
### Qualification for the Final
Teams qualified for the Final based on their performance in Round 3, which was held in various locations during mid-2013. The top teams from Round 3 earned their spots in the Final, joining the host nation, Argentina, which qualified automatically.
## Participating Teams
Eight teams competed in the Final tournament:
– Argentina (host nation)
– Netherlands
– England
– China
– Germany
– New Zealand
– South Korea
– Belgium
These teams represented a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging nations in women’s field hockey.
## Tournament Format
The tournament was structured in two phases: a preliminary round and classification matches.
### Preliminary Round
The eight teams were divided into two pools of four teams each (Pool A and Pool B). Each team played every other team in their pool once in a round-robin format. Points were awarded as follows: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss.
### Classification Matches
Following the pool stage, teams advanced to classification matches based on their pool rankings:
– The top two teams from each pool progressed to the semifinals.
– The bottom two teams from each pool played in classification matches to determine fifth to eighth places.
The semifinals winners contested the final, while the losers played for third place.
## Venue
The tournament was held at the Club Natación y Gimnasia in San Miguel de Tucumán, a city in northern Argentina. The venue featured a high-quality synthetic turf field suitable for international competition and had the capacity to accommodate a significant number of spectators.
## Match Officials
The International Hockey Federation appointed a panel of experienced umpires from various countries to officiate the matches, ensuring fair play and adherence to the rules.
## Tournament Summary
### Pool Stage Results
**Pool A:**
– Argentina
– England
– South Korea
– Belgium
**Pool B:**
– Netherlands
– Germany
– China
– New Zealand
The pool stage saw competitive matches, with traditional hockey powers like Argentina, Netherlands, and England performing strongly to secure semifinal berths.
### Semifinals
– Argentina vs. Germany
– Netherlands vs. England
Both semifinals were closely contested, reflecting the high level of competition among the top teams.
### Third Place Match
The losers of the semifinals faced off to determine the bronze medalist.
### Final
The final match featured Argentina and the Netherlands, two of the most successful and popular teams in women’s field hockey. The match was highly anticipated and attracted significant attention from fans and media.
## Results
### Final Standings
1. **Netherlands** – Champions
2. **Argentina** – Runners-up
3. **England** – Third place
4. **Germany** – Fourth place
5. **China**
6. **New Zealand**
7. **South Korea**
8. **Belgium**
### Champion: Netherlands
The Netherlands won the tournament, securing the inaugural Women’s FIH Hockey World League title. Their victory underscored their dominance in international women’s field hockey during this period.
## Individual Awards
Several individual awards were presented at the conclusion of the tournament, recognizing outstanding performances:
– **Top Scorer:** The player who scored the most goals during the tournament.
– **Best Player:** Awarded to the most valuable player based on overall impact.
– **Best Goalkeeper:** Recognizing the goalkeeper with the best performance.
– **Fair Play Award:** Given to the team demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship.
## Significance
The 2012–13 Women’s FIH Hockey World League Final was significant for several reasons:
– It marked the successful launch of the FIH Hockey World League as a new global competition.
– The tournament provided increased exposure and competitive opportunities for women’s field hockey.
– It contributed to the development and popularity of the sport in Argentina and worldwide.
– The event served as a platform for teams to prepare for other major competitions, including the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games.
## Legacy
Following the inaugural season, the FIH Hockey World League continued to be held every two years, evolving in format and scope. The success of the 2012–13 Final helped establish the tournament as a key fixture in the international field hockey calendar.
The tournament also helped raise the profile of women’s field hockey, encouraging greater investment and participation at all levels.
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## References
*Note: This article is based on compiled historical data and official tournament records from the International Hockey Federation.*
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The 2012–13 Women’s FIH Hockey World League Final was the inaugural championship tournament held in Argentina, featuring eight top international teams competing for the title. The Netherlands won the tournament, highlighting their dominance in women’s field hockey.