For the first time, the men's and women's hockey World Cups are being staged simultaneously at the same venue, starting in Utrecht today. Australia are strong favourites to retain the women's title they won in Dublin four years ago but Pakistan are not being as strongly tipped to keep the men's trophy. The only question mark about Australia's athletic, skilful women's team is whether they will miss key defender Jenny Morris who is injured.
Australia and Germany or South Africa (who are in their first World Cup) are expected to reach the semi-finals from Pool A. But the other section is wide open with the Netherlands, South Korea, a very young England side, Argentina and New Zealand all contenders.
England have been unlucky to lose two key forwards, Fiona Cullen and Mandy Nicholls, with last-minute fractures.
In the men's competition, the Netherlands and Germany are taken to make the semi-finals from group A, and Australia and Pakistan from group B.
The Dutch, gold medallists at the Atlanta Olympics, probably start as overall favourites, especially having avoided Pakistan and Australia in their pool. They have an oustanding penalty corner specialist in Bram Lomans. This is the last tournament when a specialist can be wheeled on at the award of a corner. However, the Dutch, who understandably had to rebuild the side after losing some of their most influential players including the legendary Floris Bovelander after the Olympic victory, performed disappointingly in the Champions Trophy finishing well out of contention for a final spot.
This should give some hope to Germany, who finished fourth last time, and even India, who are desperate to add to their single World Cup success back in 1975. Their captain on that occasion Ajitpal Singh is now the side's manager.
The dominant figure in world hockey over the past decade, Pakistan's Shahbaz Ahmed will be hoping for a triumphant farewell from the game. But Pakistan have displayed inconsistent form in recent months, just getting the better of India 4-3 in their seven test series, beating South Africa easily enough but then slumping to an embarrassing tied series (11) with Kenya, losing 4-3 in the second match.
Shahbaz, who announced in March he would retire after this World Cup, has enjoyed more comebacks to the international side than George Foreman has to the boxing ring - no less than three times has he fallen out with the authorities only to announce he was willing to return if required.
While Ireland have not qualified for either competition, Irish umpire Ray O'Connor will be fully involved.
The summer programme for Ireland's men's squad is taking shape. Scotland's visit to Banbridge on June 12th, 13th and 14th will include one international (on the Saturday) while similarly Ireland's trip to Wales at the end of June will include only one match in which caps will be awarded.
