ENGLAND SELECT WOMEN'S EURO SQUAD by Pat Rowley

The experienced Helen Grant and Lisa Wooding, together with Doncaster’s Jo Ellis - three players who were in England’s 2006 World Cup team - have failed to gain selection for the European Cup at Manchester (Aug 18-25). Chosen in their stead are Canterbury’s Cathy Gilliat-Smith and the Leicester pair Anne Panter and Hannah Macleod. The athletic Macleod is the least experienced player selected. England now have a rare opportunity to include Panter and Lucilla Wright, both of whom have missed tournaments through injury, in the same team. Altogether seven players have been chosen from Leicester, the English Champions.

England women’s team for European Cup (Manchester, Aug 18-25). Goal: K Roberts (Chelmsford), B Storry (SCHC,Holland). Defenders: M Clewlow (Canterbury), C Cullen (Leicester), A Panter (Leicester), K Walsh (Slough,capt), S Walton (Bowdon). Midfield: J Bimson (Leicester), J Ellis (Ipswich), H Richardson (Leicester), C Rogers (Chelmsford), R Walker (Olton), L Wright (Olton). Attack: A Danson (Slough), C Gilliat-Smith (Canterbury), R Herbert (Leicester), H Macleod (Leicester), K Williams (Leicester).

TWO WINS OVER SPAIN BOOSTS ENGLAND HOPES by Sean Cotter

ENGLAND’S chances of winning a medal as hosts of the European Championships in Manchester next month certainly received a boost with two wins against world third-ranked Spain at the tournament venue of Belle Vue last week. But coach Jason Lee cautions against over-optimism. “These were just friendly games, with each side using a large number of substitutes and constantly changing their formations. “Even though we won both games, we can, and must, play a lot better if we are to finish in the top three in Europe and so qualify Great Britain direct to the Beijing Olympics. A much more accurate gauge of our chances will come when we play Spain again in a full international at the Hamburg Masters this Thursday (August 2), followed by games against our world top-ranked hosts Germany on Saturday and our first opponents in Manchester, Belgium, on Sunday. But we still won’t know just how successful our preparations have been until we meet Belgium again in our first European pool game. Although friendlies, with no caps awarded, England - ranked tenth in the world - and Spain fielded their full pre-European squads for the two encounters. Both games were played in a highly competitive spirit, almost too much so at times, with each side eventually playing a man short for five minutes following yellow card suspensions in Saturday’s second half. England’s squad for the Hamburg Masters - announced on Monday - involves two changes from the 18 who competed at the Champions Challenge in Antwerp in late June. Alastair Wilson (Beeston) and Matt Taylor (Cannock) replace Nick Brothers (Reading, goalkeeper) and Ben Hawes (Amsterdam). This means coach Lee will be taking only one goalkeeper and leaving behind one of his joint captains, Hawes.

ENGLAND WIN SECOND TRAINING MATCH VICTORY

England played a further training match against Spain this afternoon (Saturday). All the goals came in the first half with Richard Mantell opening England’s account with a penalty corner conversion after eight minutes. James Tindall followed up with goal in open play ten minutes later. Tindall was to score a second before half-time but not before David Alegre managed to pull one back for Spain. Final score 3-1 to England.

PENALTY DECIDERS RESULT IN MIXED FORTUNES FOR ENGLAND

England left Cardiff today with one win from a brace of matches on the last day of the Under 16 Home Nations’ Tournament. Coincidentally, both finals were decided on penalty strokes – perhaps an unexpected outcome for the England girls, who had dominated the round-robin stage of the tournament and had previously beaten their opponents, Ireland, 4-1, in the preliminary stages. In fact Ireland had taken a 1-0 lead into the break, which they increased to 2-0 within seconds of the restart. England’s Sarah Haycroft found the net from a penalty corner soon after and ten minutes later Georgia Rawlinson put the sides on even terms. The score remained at 2-2 until full time and was finally decided on penalty strokes. Final score 5-4.

The boys’ story was very similar, with their opponents, Scotland, taking first blood from a penalty corner just before half-time. Ben Stoney was able to pull one back for England early in the second half, but Scotland found the net a second time from a penalty corner strike. Sevenoak’s George Torry scored England’s second with ten minutes left and the score after normal time was 2-2 and had to be decided on strokes. Unfortunately, Scotland prevailed winning the match 3-2.

UNDER 21 TRAINING MATCHES IN UTRECHT

It was shared honours for England and the Netherlands in this match, with England going into the break 3-1 up. The Dutch scored twice in open play in the second half, the final goal being scored in the 67^th minute. Final score 3-3.

Yesterdays training match between the two sides had to be abandoned after 37 minutes with the Netherlands 1-0 ahead. Torrential rain made further play impossible.

A GOOD DAY FOR THE ENGLISH

The England girls remained in free-scoring mode as they soundly defeated Wales on the third day of competition in the Under 16 Home Nations Tournament in Cardiff this afternoon. They have now scored eighteen goals in their three matches for a reply of one. Louise Boddy kicked off the scoring in the eighteenth minute, netting the first of her two penalty corner conversions. Further goals came from Emma O’Nien, Katie Shanahan (2) and Lucy Horn. Final score; England 6 Wales 0. England now lead the table on nine points and will play Ireland tomorrow (Friday) to decide the gold medals. England’s meeting with Ireland in the round-robin stages was the closest run of their three matches with England winning 4-1.

In the boys’ tournament England overcame Scotland 2-0 with goals from Ben Stoney and David Flanagan. They too top their table and meet Scotland again tomorrow to decide the gold.

Meanwhile, the England senior’s met Spain in a training match at Belle Vue this afternoon. The first half was played in torrential rain, which seemed to suit the home side, although the scoring was opened by Spain’s Eduard Tubau from the penalty spot after seventeen minutes. Martin Jones (pictured) put the sides on even terms seven minutes later. In improving conditions in the second half Spain re-took the lead through a field goal by Juan Lainz. Matt Daley then scored a cracking goal on the reverse from the top of the circle. England had the chance to take the lead through a penalty stroke in the 60^th minute but Simon Mantell’s shot hit the upright. However, James Tindall gave England the lead minutes later from open play. Final score 3-2 to England.

SCOTLAND FIND NO ANSWER TO EIGHT GOAL ENGLAND

The England girls won a stunning victory over Scotland in the second day of the u16 Home Nations Tournament in Cardiff today. Scotland could find no reply for the hat-trick of goals by Firebrand’s Georgia Rawlinson and goals by Emily Atkinson, Jenna Woolven, Holly Payne (2), and Katie Shanahan. Final score 8-0 to England.

The boys also recorded a victory, beating Ireland 3-2, with goals from Nicholas Bandurak, Ben Stoney, and Andrew Bull.

Both teams are undefeated so far in this tournament and the Girls play their final match against Wales tomorrow (Thursday) whilst the boys have a meeting with Scotland.

BROWN CLAIMS FIRST ENGLAND GOAL by Pat Rowley

England’s women’s team, despite their worrying injury list, claimed another top scalp in their preparations for next month’s European Cup by defeating Spain, 2006 World Cup semi finalists, 3-0 in a friendly international at Belle Vue. A week ago they won and lost to Germany.

Building on an early lead from Leicester’s Crista Cullen’s 3^rd minute corner conversion, England played their best hockey since the World Cup. At another corner, Mel Clewlow won England a penalty stroke which was converted by Kate Walsh (Slough) before half-time. England’s third goal, midway through the second half, came after a splendid flowing move which led to Hayley Brown (Canterbury - pictured) scoring her first goal in an England shirt.

ENGLAND OFF TO WINNING START IN UNDER 16 HOME NATIONS

Two penalty strokes by Peter Jackson gave England the edge on the first day of the u16 Home Nations Tournament in Cardiff today. Goals by Jackson from the penalty spot and a goal in open play by 14 year-old Nicholas Bandurak from the Cannock Club gave England a 3-2 victory over Wales.

England's girls made it four in their tournament, with a hat-trick of field goals by Jo Hunter, two of which were scored in the last two minutes. Alice Sharpe was the other scorer in this 4-1 victory over Ireland.

SCOTLAND FINISH FIRST AND LAST IN CELTIC CUP

Scotland had a good day on the third and final day of the Celtic Cup in Wrexham, their women beating the French 6-0 and their men the French 1-0. However, as far as the men were concerned it was too late and they finished bottom of the table in this round-robin event. The women’s win gave them maximum points and they win the Celtic Cup in the women’s section. As has been the case in many previous matches in this tournament, the meetings between the Irish and the Welsh resulted in a reversal of fortunes for the men and women. The Irish women beat Wales 3-0 but their menfolk faired less well, going down 1-0 to Wales.

FINAL POSITIONS:

Men’s Celtic Cup. 1^st Wales, Jt 2^nd Ireland, France, 4^th Scotland.

Women’s Celtic Cup. 1^st Scotland, 2^nd Ireland, 3^rd Wales, 4^th France.

SOUTH AFRICA BEIJING BOUND by Pat Rowley

South Africa’s men and women qualified for the Beijing Olympics by winning both finals at the African Olympic Qualifiers at Nairobi. Their men defeated Egypt 2-1 and become the fourth men’s country to qualify for Beijing, joining China, Korea and Pakistan. South Africa’s women cruised through their qualifier, beating Kenya 5-0 in the final. They scored 45 goals in their six games with-out conceding one. They join China and Japan at the 2008 Gaames. England’s chances to qualify Britain for Beijing come in the European Olympic Qualifier, the European Cup at Manchester next month.

Two of England’s rivals at the men’s European Cup, Ireland and France, will be attempting to win the Celtic Cup at Wrexham today. They jointly head the table after both won their first matches 3-1 before they drew 1-1 yesterday. Wales stayed in contention by beating Scotland 1-0 with a late goal by Andrew Seimann yesterday. George Harris, the Welsh goalkeeper, was outstanding. Tomorrow (Monday) Wales play Ireland after Scotland tackle France. Scotland cannot retain their men’s title but they should carry off the women’s trophy after beating Ireland 4-1 and Wales 7-1. The Welsh women had flattered to deceive on Saturday with their biggest victory for nine years, a 4-0 success over France.

Celtic Cup Second Day Results

In the second day of play in the Celtic Cup in Wrexham only France failed to record a win. The opening match of the day was a dour between the women of Ireland and France, which was only decided by a second-half penalty stroke by Nikki Symmons for Ireland. The men's match between the two nations ended 1-1. Scotland's women scored a notable victory over the Welsh by winning 7-1 but the Welsh men were able to compensate, albeit with a more modest scoreline, by beating Scotland 1-0.

France play Scotland and Wales play Ireland in the final day of play tomorrow (Monday).

Opening Day of Celtic Cup in Wrexham

It was honours all round on the first day of the Celtic Cup in Wrexham today (Saturday), with each of the four competing nations winning one match.

Scotland's women overcame Ireland 4-1 in the first match of the day, although the Irish only had to wait a few minutes to get their revenge when their men beat Scotland 3-1. In the second women's match of the day Wales put four past France for no reply although, in a reprise of the earlier matches, the French men's side beat Wales 3-1.

Tomorow the Irish men and women play France, followed by the Welsh men and women playing Scotland.

Up-date on u21 test series

We now have the result of the third and final match in the series between England u21 women and Germany, which ended with a final score of 2-0 to Germany. England therefore win the series 2-1.

Third test between England U21 and Germany

As of mid-night on 19 July 2007 England Hockey had not announced the result of this match. England are currently 2-0 up in the three match series.

We hope to bring you the result later today (Friday)

FRENCH SUNK BY QUATRE GOALS

It was England’s men’s turn to play a training match against international opposition at Belle Vue this afternoon. Playing France it took England all of 23 minutes to open the scoring with a penalty corner conversion by James Tindall. Richard Mantell made it two, also from a penalty corner, and Glenn Kirkham scored in open play early in the second half. Simon Mantell (pictured in a recent match against India) made it a quartet of goals in the 55^th minute. However, France had their chances. Just before half-time France were awarded a penalty stroke but Charles Verrier’s shot was saved by Fair in the England goal. France were unlucky not to get on the score sheet shortly after when Frederic Soyez hit the post. Final score; 4-0 to England.

The Women’s U21 team recorded there second victory in their test series against Germany at Highfields. Germany were unable to reply to goals by Tash Brennan and Loren Sherer. Final score 2-0 to England.

KELLER HAS FIRST AND LAST WORD

Germany's Natasha Keller (pictured) scored in the first five minutes of their training match against England at Manchester's Belle Vue this afternoon (Tuesday). England's Lucilla Wright was able to answer seconds later but England went into the break 2-1 down after a goal by Plass. Keller was finally able to wrap the match up with her second goal in the final minutes of play to give the visitors a 3-1 victory.

This afternoon at Nottingham's Highfields Sports Club, England's women's U21 side played the first of three test matches against a German U21 side. England won the match 3-0, with goals from Sutton Coldfield's Katie Long (2) and Poynton's Nicola White. The test matches continue tomorrow and Thursday at Highfields.

Correction to our report of 15/7/07

Further to our report on the mixed hockey international between Wales and England on 15 July 2007, the scorer of the England goal was Ben Allbery and not Paul Dover as reported. The confusion arose from an absence of a No.19 from the match programme and No. 18 being shown on the match report between No.7 and No 9.

WALES SHOW ENGLAND HOW TO MIX IT by Peter Savage in Eastleigh

Forget images of overweight men from the 4th Xl and women just making up the numbers. The annual England v Wales mixed international held at Eastleigh this afternoon proved that mixed hockey can be both skilful and entertaining. And just to prove the equal status of women in mixed hockey at this level, it was the diminutive Bridget Radice from the Penarth club who gave Wales a lead in the eighteenth minute when she slipped her marker and deflected the ball into the net. Minutes later she was unlucky not to score a second when her flick struck Witham’s Lee Ward in the England goal in the chest at close range. Although England enjoyed the lion’s share of penalty corners, they were not able to capitalise on their chances until early in the second half, when Broxbourne’s Paul Dover found the net. But for much of the match Wales had enjoyed a territorial advantage over England and they were finally able to translate this into a second goal when Simon Geeves from Swansea Bay scored the decider. Final score 2-1 to Wales.

Photographs from the match will appear on a main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk later this month. The delay is caused by the work we are doing on a new web site layout.

OTHER NEWS:

Hannah MacLeod scored the only goal in a training match between England and Germany at Belle Vue this afternoon (Sunday).

GOLDEN GIRLS WIN YOUTH TOURNAMENT

England girls had to wait on the fortunes of the Germans before knowing their final standing in the European Youth Nations Championship in Edinburgh this afternoon. A win by the Dutch in their match against Germany would give England gold. Anything else would have given them silver, but fortune smiled on the English as the Dutch overcame the Germans 4-2, leaving the Germans with three points in the so-called promotion pool, as opposed to England’s seven and the Netherlands’ six. Final rankings; 1^st England, 2^nd Netherlands, 3^rd Germany 4^th Ireland, 5^th Belgium, 6^th Lithuania, 7^th Spain (relegated to the Trophy in 2009), 8^th Scotland (relegated to the Trophy in 2009).

England’s boys had less luck, losing 6-2 to the Dutch this afternoon, leaving them on one point in the promotion pool, alongside Belgium. Unfortunately the four-goal difference between England and the Netherlands pushed England behind the Belgians on goal difference. Final standings: 1^st Germany, 2^nd Netherlands, 3^rd Belgium, 4^th England, 5^th Scotland, 6^th Russia, 7^th France (relegated to the Trophy in 2009) and Ireland (relegated to the Trophy in 2009).

ENGLAND'S GOLDEN HOPES WAIT ON THE NETHERLANDS

England's girls have won at least a silver in the European Youth Nations Tournament in Edinburgh. Playing Ireland in their last game this morning, Charlotte Craddock scored once in each half to give England a 2-0 victory. According to our calculations - and the rules for the final rounds of this tournament are a bit obscure - England now have seven points in the promotion pool. Germany play the Netherlands later today. A victory by Germany would put them on the same points as England but, following their 10-0 thrashing of Ireland yesterday, Germany have an uncatchable goal difference. A win or draw by the Netherlands would give England the gold.

ENGLAND GIRLS' WIN GIVES GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

England’s U18 girls will play Ireland in the last of their matches in the European Youth Nations Championships in Edinburgh with, according to our calculations, a real chance of a gold medal. The promotion pool is currently led by Germany, who carry over one point from their Pool B match against England, and who added three more points and a massive goal difference by beating Ireland 10-0 this afternoon. England boosted their chances of winning gold by a surprising 2-1 win over the Netherlands, with goals from Sarah Page and Amy Turnbull. England will face Ireland tomorrow (Saturday), who have not scored since Tuesday and will no doubt be recovering from today’s experience. The rules of this competition are quite convoluted but we reckon that a win against Ireland tomorrow will give England the gold if the Netherlands win or draw against Germany.

We’ve also had our pocket calculators out for the boy’s competition where England were beaten 3-0 by Germany today. The other promotion pool match between the Netherlands and Belgium ended 7-3. England play the Netherlands tomorrow. If England beat the Dutch, and Belgium beat the Germans, a silver medal beckons. As neither seems a likely outcome, England may be able to salvage a bronze provided that the Germans give the Belgians a mauling and England keep the goal margin down against the Dutch.

ENGLAND BOYS AND GIRLS KEEP MEDAL HOPES ALIVE

England’s girls picked up a useful three points against Scotland in the European Youth Nations Championships in Edinburgh this afternoon. England took the lead after fifteen minutes with a penalty corner conversion by Lauren Turner and scored a second with a late goal in open play by Cannock’s Charlotte Craddock. Final score 2-0. In the same pool leaders Germany beat Spain 2-1 to retain the top slot. Tomorrow (Thursday) is a rest day.

Under the complex rules of this tournament England now go into a promotion pool and play the leaders from Pool A, the Netherlands, on Friday, followed by a match against the second placed team in Pool A, Ireland, on Saturday.

In the boys tournament England had less luck, finishing their match against Belgium on a 4-4 draw, with goals by Simon Faulkner (2), David Becket, and Mike Russell. However, this was enough to allow them to finish in second place in Pool B, behind Belgium on goal difference. The boys now face a match in the promotion pool against Germany on Friday, followed by a match against the Netherlands on Saturday.

ENGLAND'S BOYS PUT SIX PASSED RUSSIA

England's U18 boys managed to recover from their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Scotland to put six passed the Russians this afternoon in the European Youth Championships. Ed Kelleher opened the scoring in the eighth but Igor Sinyagin was quick to reply for the Russians. The first of two goals by David Condon took England into the break with a one goal advantage, with second half goals from Rohit Kapoor, Nick Catlin and Phil Messant adding to the tally. Russia's Pavel Golubev pulled one back from a penalty corner goal. Final score 6-2 to England.

England's victory puts them into second place, one point behind Belgium. Tomorrow England play Belgium in what could be the decider in Pool B. The leader in Pool A is Germany on maximum points.

TWO POINTS FROM TWO GAMES FOR ENGLAND GIRLS

England's girls picked up a second draw in two days in the European Youth Nations Championships in Edinburgh this afternoon when they played Germany. 18 year old Amy Turnbull from the At Albans club scored from a penalty corner just after the re-start, but Germany's Lisa Hahn evened the scores fifteen minutes later. This result leaves England in third place in the pool, with a match to play against second-placed Spain tomorrow. Spain beat Scotland 1-0 earlier today.

In Pool A the leaders are the Netherlands on six points, with Ireland on four points in second place.
In the boy's tournament, England were due to play Russia this afternoon. A report will follow.

POOR START FOR ENGLAND IN EURO YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

England’s U18 boys went down 3-1 to Scotland on the opening day of the European Youth Nations Championships in Edinburgh today (Monday). Scotland’s Kenny Bain opened the scoring after only eight minutes from open play and scored a second from a penalty corner in the second half. Reading’s Nick Catlin pulled one back with ten minutes of play left but Scotland’s Callum Milne re-established the margin just before the final hooter. Final score 3-1 to Scotland. In other matches Germany beat Ireland 4-0, the Netherlands overcame France 5-1, and Belgium drew with Russia 2-2.

England established an early lead against Spain in the girl’s tournament with a goal by Cannock’s 16 year old forward Charlotte Craddock but five minutes before time Spain equalised. Final score 1-1. In other matches the Netherlands beat Lithuania 2-0, Ireland beat Belgium 5-3, and Germany beat Scotland 5-1.

IT'S SHAW VERSUS LOMBI IN BOOM FINAL by Peter Savage

Left out of Argentina’s World Cup squad in 2006, veteran penalty-corner striker Jorge Lombi was clearly out to prove a point when he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for his side in the final of the Champions Challenge between New Zealand and Argentina in Boom yesterday (Sunday). The match itself looked as if it was going to be a non-event until well into the second half, when New Zealand took advantage of Ignacio Bergner’s absence in the sin bin to win two penalty corners in five minutes. Hayden Shaw, himself an awesome penalty corner striker, put his team two ahead. It looked all over for the Argentine side but with only four minutes left on the clock, Lombi converted one penalty corner and, less than a minute later, a second. Golden goal extra time lasted all of five minutes before the Argentines were awarded another penalty corner which was struck into the back of the net by Lombi. The celebrations of the winning side could quite possibly be heard all the way to Buenos Aires. Not a classic match for sure, but one which came to life and entertained for the last twenty minutes. Final score 3-2

EARLY GOAL STORM ROBS ENGLAND OF BRONZE by Peter Colwill in Boom

An astonishing recovery just failed to deliver the bronze medal for England in the BDO Champions Challenge in Boom, Belgium. Conceding two goals in the first five minutes and a further two before the half was twenty-five minutes old England looked completely out of contention. Even when Rob Moore swept in Jonty Clarke’s cross to open England’s scoring in the last minute of the half a serious revival seemed unlikely. The route to recovery came through two penalty corners. James Tindall scored the first mid way through the second half with a fierce and precise shot after Richard Mantell’s initial flick had been saved. The second was tapped in with seven minutes remaining by Simon Mantell following an intricate move involving four players. England’s come back was the result of scoring from two out of three penalty corners whilst denying India a single corner.

Overall coach Jason Lee was satisfied with England’s performance during the week but admitted that there were some basics that needed attention in the six weeks remaining between now and the European Cup in Manchester.

Final placings:
3rd/4th England 3 India 4
5th/6th Belgium 3 Japan 4.

The result of the final will appear on this blog tomorrow.

Final day at Boom

A report on the bronze medal match between India and England will appear on this blog later today (Sunday). Due to our travel arrangements we will be posting a full round-up of today's matches tomorrow.

The Champions Challenge will feature in the July edition of TalkHockeyRadio which is due to be uploaded to our main site this Thursday. Photographs from the competition will be posted to the site during the week. A report on the tournament by Peter Colwill will appear in our on-line magazine HockeyTalk later this month.