BROUWER INJURY TAKES GLOSS OFF DUTCH VICTORY

The Netherlands won the Champions Trophy in Terrassa today with a 2-1 victory over Germany. In what had been a very free scoring competition, the Dutch performance was more workmanlike than exciting, and right up until the last seconds it was anyone's match. The scoring was opened for the Dutch by Taeke Taekema in the 20th minute with a flick from a penalty corner award. Just before the break Teun De Nooijer scored a second after a super solo run, but the second half saw the Dutch sometimes looking very much on the back foot, with Timo Wess scoring for the German shortly after the re-start. The Dutch grimly held on and at times looked threatening - Germany's Phillip Zeller was sin-binned for bringing down Karel Klaver after a penetrating run down the centre - but there was no repeat of yesterday's last gasp goal by the Germans in their match against Australia. During the match Dutch defender Brouwer was pole-axed when he was struck in the face by a rising reverse stick shot at goal. It is believed he may have broken a cheek bone. The bronze medal in the competition was taken by Spain who beat Australia on penalty strokes. The 5th/6th match was won by Pakistan, who beat Argentina 3-1.

We now have the result of the final of the girl's European Junior Nations Championship from yesterday. It was won by Germany 1-0, giving England the silver medal. The bronze was won by Italy.

TIME WASTING AUSSIES BLOW FINAL CHANCE

Having had one free hit reversed for time wasting you would have thought they would have learnt their lesson but Australia threw away a chance of a place in the final of the Champions Trophy in Terrassa when they dwelt on the ball for too long at a hit-in. With only seconds left on the clock umpire Santi was having none of it. From the reversed hit-in the Germans won themselves a penalty corner, which Zeller struck the ball high into the Australian net. Only needing a draw to qualify for tomorrow's final, Australia lost the match 3-4. The other drama of the day was the Match between the Netherlands and the hosts, Spain. Having gained an early lead the Dutch threw it away, only finally overcoming their opposition in the last minutes. Final score, 4-3 to the Netherlands, who meet Germany in the final tomorrow. Intriguingly, when the two teams met in the round-robin stage of the tournament they could only manage a draw. Pakistan, who beat Argentina today (Saturday), will repeat the match tomorrow to decide the 5th/6th place, whilst Spain will play Australia to decide the bronnze.

In the European Junior Nations Championship in Prague, England's boys finished fifth, having beaten Poland 7-0. The tournament was finally won by the Netherlands, with Germany taking the silver and Belgium the bronze.

As of 23:00 today it has not been possible to get any results for the girl's competition in Catania where England were playing in the final, nor have we be able to find any scores for the four nations tournament in Poland in which England men are playing.

ENGLAND GIRLS REACH FINAL

England will hope to reverse the fortunes of their pool match when they meet Germany for the second time in the European Junior Nations Cup for Women in Catania. Having finished second in Pool B behind Germany, England today secured a place in the finals by beating Spain on penalty strokes. Germany also had to go to penalty strokes to overcome Italy in their crossover match. England were beaten 6-0 when the two teams met in the pool. Meanwhile in the boys tournament in Prague, England managed to get into double figures against Russia, with a hat trick from Jawanda and goals from Harper, Dixon (2), Smith, Jackson, Watts and Brogdon. This is the second high scoring match for England in this competition - they beat the host nation 12-0 in the pool - but England will be playing tomorrow in the 5th/6th place match against Poland. The boys final will be between the Netherlands and Germany.

SUMMER SIZZLE FIZZLES OUT.

England's World Cup preparations took a blow today when England Hockey announced that the Internationals against Argentina on the 25th and 27th August at Reading will now not take place. England Hockey will be contacting ticket holders to "...discuss alternative arrangements."

Argentina also featured in the Champions Trophy in Terrassa today. Playing an Australian side who seem to have found their form, Argentina went down 6-0. Anyone who had been at the European Cup Winners Cup at Reading at Easter would be all too familiar with the penalty corner striking abilities of Luke DOERNER. Wearing his national colours this time he scored a hat trick against the Argentians, with other goals coming from Grant Schubert, Michael Boyce, and Mike McCann. Those of us who enjoy some of the stranger aspects of international hockey were deprived of seeing Schubert and Vivaldi on the pitch at the same time, as Vivaldi was not in the Argentine squad for this match. Host nation Spain were in action against Pakistan in a match where they went ahead twice only to see their lead snatched away. A field goal in the last seconds of the match by Seri Enrique finally gave them the victory. Final score 3-2. Spain now have eight points, the same as the Netherlands, who could only draw against the Germans in their match.

JACKSON HAT-TRICK NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE ENGLAND

After sharing the top spot with Spain, the head-to-head match with Spain today saw England relegated to third in Pool A in the European Junior Nations Championships. England were 5-0 down with fifteen minutes to go, but three Ashley Jackson penalty corner strikes in ten minutes salvaged some credibility from this match. England now play in the cross-over matches on Friday, playing the 4th placed team from Pool B, Russia. In Italy, England were comprehensively beaten by Germany in the girls' championships. They finish in 2nd place in Pool B and will meet the leaders from Pool A on Friday. Final results from Pool A are still awaited but the overnight leaders were Spain, who should overcome their opposition from Italy.

There was no play in the Champions Trophy today.

IT'S GOAL BLITZ TUESDAY

The various international competitions we have been following in this blog resulted in a torrent of goals yesterday (Tuesday). Top scorers were the England boys playing in Prague against the host nation in the European Nations Youth Championships. Eight of the England team got themselves on the scoresheet, including a hat-trick from Harry Jawda. Final score 12-0. This puts the boys at the top of their pool on equal points with Spain, who they play later today. England were not in action in Catania today in the girls' event, but they too are on equal points in their pool and meet Germany in a head-to-head today. The England seniors were in goal scoring form in their second test match against Poland yesterday, winning the match 5-0.

The three matches in Tueday's Champions Tophy in Terrassa produced a total of twenty-three goals. Germany overcame Argentina 3-1, whilst the host nation came back from a 1-3 half-time deficit against the Australians to win 5-3. But the high scoring game came from the Nethlands playing Pakistan, with the Dutch putting nine passed Pakistan for a reply of two. Nethlands now head the table in the round-robin stages of this competition with a lead of two points.

ENGLAND GIRLS MAKE SEMIS WITH GAME IN HAND

The England girls, playing in the European Junior Nations Championships, booked their place in the semis by beaing Wales today 2-1. Tash Brennan opened the scoring for England in the seventh minute, courtesy of a penalty stroke, after Charlotte Hartley was tripped in the 'D'. The Welsh were back on even terms shortly before the interval when Tina Evans converted a penalty corner. A penalty corner towards the end of the match by Susie Gilbert gave England the 2-1 victory.

There was no play in the England pool in the boys competition but England meet the host nation, the Czech Republic tomorrow. Nor was there any play in the Champions Trophy in Terrassa as today is a rest day. Play resumes tommorrow.

TWO GOAL JACKSON GRABS ENGLAND A POINT

Ashley Jackson, the young East Grinstead penalty corner specialist, grabbed England a point after they went into the half-time break 2-0 down against Belgium in the European Junior Nations Championships in Prague. Shortly after the resumption of play Jackson netted a pass from Darren Cheeseman and with ten minutes left on the clock put the two sides on even terms from a penalty corner. England had better luck in the girls' competition by beating Belarus 5-0, with goals by Charlotte Hartley, Kerry Williams, Susie Gilbert, and Zoe Leach (2).

The England men's senior side were also in action today in a test match against Poland in Gniezo, where they beat the Poles 3-0 from goals by Wilson, Daly, and Richard Mantell.

In the Champions Trophy in Terrassa it was draws all round. Pakistan finished 3-3 against Germany, Argentina managed to pull one back against Spain to finish the game 1-1, and the overnight leaders, the Netherlands, finished 1-1 against Australia. Tomorow is a rest day in Terrassa.

TAEKEMA HAT TRICK GIVES DUTCH FLYING START

Three goals from Taeke Taekema and a goal from Teun De Nooijer put the Netherlands at the top of the table on the first day of play in the men's Champions Trophy in Terrassa today. They beat Argentina 4-2, in a match which the Dutch only seemed to dominate in the closing minutes. Earlier in the day, Australia beat Pakistan 1-1, but the host nation, Spain, could only manage a 1-1 draw against the Germans. Play resumes tomorrow when the Dutch play Pakistan, whilst Spain meet Australia and Germany play Argenitina.

JULY ENDS WITH THREE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

A week of top class hockey is in prospect with the start of three major international tournaments this weekend. Starting today (Saturday) is the Champions Trophy for men in Spain. Although England is not competing, eyes will be on this tournament to see how England’s opponents will be shaping up for the World Cup in September. From England’s pool are the Netherlands and Germany, who will be in action later today against Argentina and Spain respectively. The recently completed women’s Trophy caused a few upsets to the form book with the Netherlands, Australia, and Argentina coming third, fourth, and fifth. The men’s tournament should also provide an interesting insight into the current form of the world’s top sides.

Some potential World Cup players of the future will be in action in Europe over the next week. The European Junior Nations Championship for Boys starts in Prague tomorrow. England is drawn in Pool A alongside Spain, Belgium and the Czech Republic. England’s first match will be against Belgium tomorrow morning. The Girls’ Championships is being held in Catania (Italy), where England is in Pool B with Germany, Belarus, and Wales. Their first match is against Belarus tomorrow afternoon.

We will endeavour to keep you up to date with scores from these three tournaments as and when we receive them.

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UK PLAYER OF THE YEAR LEAVES WORLD CUP SQUAD

The demands placed on top athletes has been brought to the fore by the announcement that England and Surbiton goalkeeper, Jon Ebsworth, has decided to withdraw from the World Cup squad due to play in Monchengladbach in September. He has given work commitments as his reason. Ebsworth, the winner of the Hockey Writers' Club UK Player of the Year Award in January, said "The issue of going from the Commonwealth Games and World Cup Qualifier straight into the club season and the lack of a rest period has been a major factor for me being in the situation I am now. As soon as you finish a trip or tournament, you are straight back into work, needing to prove yourself to your employers."

Ebsworth's retirement comes only a few months after the announcement that England and GB women's 'keeper, Carolyn Reid, was retiring from international hockey.

SUPER KELLER, FANNY-TASTIC, CHINA'S LUCK ATTROCIOUS

China suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Germany in the final of the Rabo Women's Champions Trophy is Amstelveen this afternoon after twice having been in the lead. Hong Xia Li scored in the 5th minute for China but the Germans were quick to respond with a goal by Fanny Rinne. The two teams went into the interval at one apiece, but the Chinese soon restored their lead when play resumed with a penalty corner strike by Yi Bo Ma. Seconds later Natasha Keller restored parity with a superb back-stick strike of a loose ball in the Chinese 'D'. With less than a minute left on the clock it looked as if we were heading from extra time. However, intense pressure on the Chinese goal and a series of penalty strokes brought its reward, with a super strike by Fanny Rinne.

In the 3rd/4th place play off the Dutch managed to recover some of their prestige when cool nerves saw them dominate a penalty-stroke shoot-out. Goals by Vera Vostenbosch for the Netherlands and Mercedes Margalot for Argentina had sent the two sides into extra time and then a penalty stroke competition. By the time the third set of strokes had been completed the Argentinians had only netted the ball once. Minke Booij took the four stroke for the Netherlands, found the net and that was enough to give the home side the bronze medals. Australia and New Zealand slugged it out for 50 minutes before the Hockeyroos managed to score. Final Score 2-1, leaving New Zealand in bottom place.

A report on the Champions' Trophy by Peter Colwill will appear in the August edition of HockeyTalk , available to download at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk from next Thursday.

ENGLAND TAKE BRONZE IN DUBLIN

In the European Youth Nations Championships in Dublin, England's boys secured the bronze medal with a win over Ireland. Belgium and the Netherlands were due to play in the final, but we do not yet have a result for that match or any results from the girl's tournament in Valencia.

GARCIA SCUPPERS DUTCH HOPES

The Netherlands, who started out as favourites to take the gold in the Women's Champions' Trophy in Amstelveen, were beaten by a last minute goal by Soledad Garcia in their match against Argentina today. The Argentinians were two up after twelve minutes but the Dutch were able to claw their way back into the match with goals from Schopman and Lammers. The second half was without goals until Garcia scored in the 69th minute. This result puts both teams back in a head-to-head for the bronze tomorrow (Sunday). Earlier in the day, China beat New Zealand 4-0 and now go into the final against Germany, who lost 2-1 to Australia. Australia land up being the surprise contenders with New Zealand for the wooden spoon.

In Valencia today England Under 16 girls beat the Ukraine 7-0 and go into Sunday's 4th/5th play off against Belgium. In Dublin the boys lost out on a place in the finals, going down to Belgium 4-1. They face Ireland tomorrow in the bronze medal match.

Update from Champions Trophy

Getting information from this competition in English is proving difficult. However, we are able to update some of yesterday's news. In the match between Argentina and Australia, Argentina came out winners as a result of a last gasp penalty corner strike from Luciana Aymar. This is a semi-round robin competition with the first and second placed teams playing in Sunday's final. The Germans look almost certain to be in the final. They are playing the underperforming Australians on Saturday. A win would give them the result they need, whilst the Hockeyroos are already condemned to the last place play-off.

Yesterday made hockey history, when the video umpire was used for the first time. A Natasha Keller strike from the edge of the 'D' in their match against New Zealand was referred to the video umpire to confirm that the shot was taken from inside the line.

DUTCH FAIL TO SMASH CHINA IN AMSTERDAM

The Netherlands, who until today had led the table in the Rabo Women's Champions' Trophy in Amstelveen, were knocked off their perch by a very energetic team from China. Going ahead early in the match, the Chinese were pegged back to 1-1. Germany now head the table by virtue of a victoriy over New Zealand earlier in the day. [We regret that we are currently experiencing problems getting information from this competition. We will publish tables when we have more information].

Meanwhile the England Under 16 teams suffered disappointment in their respective European Youth Nations competitions. In Dublin the boys suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands, but still have a chance of gaining honours in the crossover matches on Saturday when they play Belgium. The girls have been less fortunate in Valencia where their 2-1 defeat against Spain puts them in 3rd place in the pool. They will play against the Ukraine in the crossover match on Saturday.

Update on European Youth Nations Championships

We now have the results from the girls competition, where England suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ireland. The other match in Pool B resulted in Spain putting eleven passed Italy for a reply of one. England now slip to third in the pool behind Spain and Ireland. England play Spain tomorrow (Thursday).

England's defeat in the boy's tournament leaves them in second place behind the Netherlands, who England meet in the first match tomorrow morning.

DAY TWO REVERSE FOR ENGLAND's BOYS

With today (Wednesday) being a rest day in the Women's Champions Trophy all eyes were on the European Youth Nations Championships. In the boy's competition in Dublin, England suffered a setback when they went 2-1 down to Russia in Pool B. Beligum, who had put ten passed Poland yesterday, had to be satisfied with a more modest 2-1 win over Ireland, whilst Poland managed to regain some credibilty by losing 3-1 to Spain. The other match in England's group between the Netherlands and Austria ended 4-0 in favour of the Dutch.

As of 21:00 we have not been able to secure England's result in the Girl's competition.

AUSTRALIA AND ARGENTINA STUMBLE IN THIRD DAY OF PLAY IN AMSTELVEEN

Two of the power sides in the Rabo Women's Champions Trophy in Amstelveen failed to score points in the third day of play. Australia went down 2-1 to China, whilst Argentina suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Germany, with goals from Silke Muller, Janine Beer and Nastascha Keller. The Netherlands are increasingly looking the favourites to take the gold medal in this competition. They saw off bottom place New Zealand 4-0. Scorers were Sylvia Karres, Vera Vorstenbosch, Maartje Paumen, and Eefke Mulder. The Netherlands currently top the table on seven points, having drawn against Australia in their opening match. China and Germany are both on six points, whilst Australia and New Zealand are bringing up the rear with two points and one point respectively.

ENGLAND UNDER SIXTEEN TEAMS got off to a cracking start in their respective EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships. The boys, playing in Dublin, beat Austria 5-1, whilst the girls also managed to put five passed Italy for no reply in Valencia. The result of the day, however, was the 10-1 defeat of Poland by Belgium in the boys competition. England top Pool B from the Netherlands on goal difference, whilst the high scoring Belgians top Pool A. In the girls' competition England top pool B, whilst the Netherlands top Pool A having scored eleven times for no reply against the Ukraine.

Rest Day in Amstelveen

There was no play in the Women's Champions' Trophy in Amstelveen today. Matches resume tomorrow (11/7/06).

DAY TWO SEES NEW LEADERS IN AMSTELVEEN

Wins by China and the Netherlands overturned yesterday's first day table in the Champions Trophy in Amstelveen. China scored three times for a reply of one in their game against Argentina. The Netherlands, who yesterday had been held to a 0-0 draw by Austalia, beat Germany 3-1, with goals by Maartje Paumen, Sylvia Karres and Elen Hoog. Australia, who were involved in their second goal-less encounter in two days, drew against New Zealand.

The Netherlands currently lead the table with four points, followed by Germany, China, and Argentina, all on three. New Zealand are currently trailing in sixth place, with their only point coming from the encounter against Australia

ARGENTINA LEAD AFTER DAY ONE OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY

After the first day of play in the Rabo Women's Champions' Trophy at the Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen (Netherlands), Argentina top the competition on goal difference having beaten New Zealand 3-0. Earlier in the day, Germany took on China, winning 3-2. The Netherlands drew 0-0 against Australia.

At the present time we are finding it difficult to source up-to-date information from the competition. Hopefully we will be able to rectify this soon. Our own correspondent, Peter Colwill, will be in Amsterdam towards the end of the tournament and a report from him will appear in our on-line magazine, HockeyTalk.

GARRARD STEPS DOWN AS ENGLAND SKIPPER

With just under two monthe to go before the start of the World Cup in Monchengladach, England Skipper Brett Garrard (pictured right) has been replaced by "co-Captains" Ben Hawes and Glenn Kirkham. In a briefly worded press release England Hockey announced today, "Following recent team meetings, it has been agreed by Jason Lee, Head Coach, and the Player's Leadership Group that it is healthy to pass Captaincy responsibilities to new players to recognise their excellent on and off pitch contributions over the last two years and to ensure that tasks are being shared around the team."

WHAT A DIFFERENCE AYMAR MAKES

Having the world's top female player in your squad is bound to make a difference and so it proved in last night's (Monday) international at Reading between England and Argentina. Kate Walsh opened England's account with a penalty corner strike after four minutes following a tackle on Chloe Rogers. But Marine Russo amd Gabriela Aquirre acquired the visitors the lead within minutes. It was Aymar who finally sunk England's hope of a recovery with two goals before half time. The score remained at 4-1 until the dying moments. Mel Clewlow, who had given England their consulation goal against the Australians on Sunday, converted a penalty corner to leave the final score at 4-2 to the visitors.

MEN GET PAIR OF DRAWS WHILST WOMEN WILT IN SUN by Peter Savage in Reading

In their two day series against the Germans in Monchengladbach, England came away with another draw. Penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell opened the scoring, with a second coming from James Tindall. But the Germans were on even terms at half time with goals by Blasberg and Nevado. Shortly after the restart Germany took the lead - this for the first time over the two matches - with Witthaus scoring from open play. But it was Richard Mantell who came to England's rescue, scoring with only a minute left on the clock. Final score 3-3. On an optimistic note, England did not conceed one penalty corner during the entire match, but this is the second match in this series where England have squandered an early lead.

Meanwhile at Reading, England were entertaining the Hockeyroos. Having beaten the Australians 2-1 on Thursday, the crowd probably had their hopes raised, but this was a poor quality match for the spectator. England seemed to have much of the territorial advantage for most of the match, but goals from Angie Skirving, Suzanne Faulkner and Donna-Lee Patrick put the Australians 3-0 up just before the break. A Mel Clewlow penalty corner strike pulled one back for England, but the score remained at 3-1 until the final whilstle. Although the match offered little for the spectator, England are ranked 9th as against Australia's 3rd, and there was nothing in the match which indicated that the home team was overawed by their guests.

On feature of the match was that some of the England women were wearing GPS devices from which data can be collected about their performance during the match. Our photograph shows Rebecca Herbert wearing one of these devices being challeged by Rebecca Sanders.

ENGLAND THROW AWAY TWO GOAL LEAD IN MONCHENGLADBACH

Two field goals after the re-start should have been enough to give England's men a victory against Germany in this warm-up match at the FIH World Cup venue to Monchengladach. Goals by Middleton and Tindall put the English in a commanding position but the host team were quick to strike back, with a goals by Furste and Duckwitz. Final score 2-2. England meet the Germans again tomorrow (Sunday).