Our apologies for the late posting of this news from the Netherlands, which was caused by a temporary absence of access to the Internet]
Slough play Sumchanka from the Ukraine tomorrow (Monday) requiring a victory to ensure England's (Bowdon Hightown) place in the top Division of this competition next year. A place in the bronze medal match was tantalisingly close. Had Den Bosch beaten Atasport 4-0 it would have put Slough through, 3-0 would have meant a penalty stroke competition, but from the moment Viktoria Shabazova saved Maartje Paumen's penalty stroke in the opening minute there was a sense that this might be the team from Azerbaijan's day. Paumen scored from a penalty corner in the fourth minute but Shabazova saved a further four of Paumen's efforts. Janneke Schopman added a second goal for the hosts from a slipped penalty corner nine minutes from time, but Sheila Morrow - the Welsh Technical Delegate - breathed a sigh of relief when in the closing minute Paumen sent her last effort way over the fence.
Den Bosch will play Berliner, who beat CD Terrassa 5-1 in the best game of the tournament so far, in the final.
Slough scored the standard number of eight goals against Royal Antwerp, just as Den Bosch and Atasport had done earlier in the tournament. Slough needed an impressive goal difference to lift them into second place in the pool, but a 21 minute goalless spell either side of half time, when Slough were already leading 3-0, left their supporters on tenterhooks. Some lenient umpiring was less than helpful. But the final five goal flourish looked like the goal tally would be enough. Slough's Australian coach, Todd Williams, admitted that he became worried during that period after the purposeful start but felt in total performance "They should have had way more than eight" Unfortunately, eight goals turned out to be insufficient and Slough finish third in the pool.
Jane Smith (pictured), who opened the scoring from a penalty stroke in the second minute, scored four goals, two from penalty corners, and an open play pile driver from a pass by Mandy Nicholson, who along with Alex Scott provided the greatest penetration. There were also penalty corner goals for Natalie Bell, Nicholson, who put the ball through the goalkeepers leg, and Scott. Even so, nine corner awards went unconverted. Ashleigh Ball scored the other goal, which was set up by Louise Bevan's run.
Day 3 Results:
Pool A:
Atasport (Aze) 0 Den Bosch 2
Royal Antwerp 0 Slough 8
Pool B CD Terrassa (Spn) 1 Berliner 5
Volga Telecom (Rus) 2 Sumchanka (Ukr) 1
