ENGLAND TAKE AMSTERDAM GOLD by Susan Edghill in Amsterdam

England took on Germany in the final of the EuroHockey Nations Championship in Amsterdam and in a thrilling match came out on top by 5-3.

England started brightly and had an early shot through captain Barry Middleton. A minute later and England won their only corner of the first half which was put low into the back of the net by Ashley Jackson. 1-0.

From the restart Germany pushed forward and two minutes later were level when Christopher Zeller put the ball low to the left of James Fair from their first penalty corner.

The ball was quickly moving around the pitch again and when Middleton got the ball on the left he ran into the circle and his reverse stick shot beat several players, ending up through the keeper's legs for England to take the lead again.

England then had several chances when first Tindall turned and shot and then Middleton ran into the circle and along the back line before the ball was turned out by the German keeper and shortly afterwards Jackson had a reverse stick which went wide.

On 26 minutes Germany won another corner and Zeller made no mistake again despite valiant efforts by Fair. 2-2 A short while later and Richard Mantell dived to keep out a cross which was heading for the German attacker waiting behind him. But three minutes later Jan-Marco Montag dived in to deflect the ball past Fair who had no chance. 3-2 down at half time.

Germany started the second half well and Richard Mantell made a crucial tackle to keep the score just one behind and when the Germans won a corner Fair came to the rescue again. England then started to push forward and Matt Daly had a great chance to level but put the ball wide when he perhaps should have scored. However, Daly then won two penalty corners in quick succession. With Jackson off the pitch, Mantell stepped up to the strike and put both chances in the net low to the keeper's right. 4-3 to England.

The Germans had two more corners before Simon Mantell won a penalty stroke and Jackson stepped up to convert. But there was still time for Richard Smith to stop the ball on the line after the forward had rounded Fair. 5-3 to England and the European Championships.

In the bronze medal match the Netherlands took on Spain and looked back to their best when they won 6-1.

In the awards ceremony at the end, the Netherlands won the Fair Play title, the Goalkeeper of the tournament went to James Fair, Top Scorer was shared by Taeke Taekema of the Netherlands and Jerome Dekeyser of Belgium (9 goals), Most Promising Player to Spain's Xavier Lleonart Blanco and Player of the Tournament to Ashley Jackson.

CHRIS MOORE SALVER

The Hockey Writer's Club members present in Amsterdam voted for the UK Player of the Tournament. The Chris Moore Salver was presented to Ashley Jackson.

DUTCH WIN IN AMSTERDAM by Susan Edghill at the EuroHockey Nations Championships

England ladies took on Spain in the Bronze medal match and came away winners by 2-1.

England started well and won a penalty corner after just six minutes with Chloe Rogers stepping up to put the ball in the back of the net. Spain won their first corner six minutes later but the shot was well saved by Becky Duggan and then cleared by Laura Unsworth.

The ball went from end-to-end with neither side able to penetrate the goal and when the Spanish earned another corner in the last ten minutes of the half, the shot was again saved by Duggan. Three minutes later and the Spanish put their third corner high and over the top. 1-0 at half time.

Two minutes into the second half and Spain won another corner but again the ball was put over the top. Six minutes later and a powerful run by Alex Danson won a penalty stroke when a Spanish defender fouled her and Kate Walsh stepped up to put the ball low to the keeper's right.

With the Spanish pushing forward to try and get a goal it was another thrusting run by Katie Long which won another stroke for England. Walsh stepped up again but this time her low shot was saved by the keeper. And from the restart the Spanish broke forward and wrong-footed the defence for Silvia Munoz to score. 2-1.

The Spanish pressed once more but were unable to break through and it was England who won one more penalty corner six minutes from time. Although they failed to score from this one the momentum was still in England's favour and they did well to hold on to the ball and claim the bronze medal. Though not quite up to the standard of the game against Germany, a well deserved victory nonetheless. The team can now continue to build towards the World Cup in Argentina next year.

In the Final Germany stunned the reigning European Champions the Netherlands when they took the lead in the first half through Maike Stockel. Goals from Lidewij Welten and Marilyn Agliotti put the Netherlands in the lead before Julia Muller equalised before half time. The only goal of the second half came just six minutes from time, again from Agliotti and the Netherlands retained their title.

In the awards ceremony at the end, England won the Fair Play title, the Goalkeeper of the tournament went to Germany's Yvonne Frank, Top Scorer went to Maartje Paumen of the Netherlands (9 goals), Most Promising Player to Spain's Gloria Comerma and Best Player to Naomi Van As of the Netherlands.

FINAL PLACINGS:

1. Netherlands
   
2. Germany
   
3. England
   
4. Spain
   
5. Ireland
   
6. Azerbaijan
   
7. Russia
   
8. Scotland
   

MARJORIE POLLARD SALVER

The Hockey Writer's Club members present voted for the UK Player of the Tournament. The Marjorie Pollard Salver was presented after the post match press conference to Helen Richardson for her excellent play during the tournament. The first of many awards to come I am sure.

GOLDEN GOAL OPENS WAY FOR EURO GOLD

On a wet and windy day in Amstelveen, England overcame the Netherlands in the first of the day's semi finals, once again in a golden goal competition. With just 47 seconds on the clock Ashley Jackson struck, deflecting a Simon Mantell's pass into the back of the net.

Both sides started cautiously but had chances early on. The Netherlands had a penalty corner after only five minutes but the ball was put wide from the shot. Half way through the half and Teun de Nooijer broke away but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper James Fair. A fine turn of speed by Robert van der Horst down the middle was cut out at the edge of the circle. With ten minutes to go England won their one and only corner of the match, but Ashley Jackson's flick was well saved by Guus Vogels. Three minutes from half time and the Dutch had two corners, both well saved by Fair.

The second half started with much pressure from the Dutch and they won a corner in the first minute, but the ball was cleared. Eight minutes later and the Dutch won their fifth corner of the game, again well saved by Fair. Then four corners in quick succession, two of which were not stopped by the Dutch, another fine save by Fair, and then a switch by Taeke Taekema to Fair's left and the Dutch were level.

The game went from end to end and both sides had chances, and both keepers had work to do. It seemed as if when the rain abated and the sun came out, so did the saves from James Fair, who was most commentator's man of the match.

1-1 at full time and the golden goal rule came into place. England started well and James Tindall's turn and shot forced Vogels into a save once more when captain Barry Middleton tried to get on the end of it to push it into the goal. A short while later Middleton nearly got on the end of a Ben Hawes cross but he couldn't quite tip it in.

Extra time went end-to-end for almost 15 minutes, though Fair had no saves to make as the England side kept the pressure on the Dutch. Finally Jackson put the ball in the net and was then mobbed by the whole team. Job well done. The first semi-final win in any major competition for some years.

England will play the Germans in Sunday's final after they defeated Spain in the second semi final. This will be a rematch of the pool match which finished 4-4 and was one of the most exciting games of the tournament.

ENGLAND ROBBED BY GOLDEN GOAL

England ladies took on Germany in the second semi-final of the day but lost in the cruelest of ways, a golden goal in extra time after the game finished at 1-1 in 70 minutes.

 

England survived an early scare when Germany earned a penalty corner after 11 minutes but the ball was cleared and three minutes later earned the first of four first half corners. Alex Danson just failed to get on the end of Kate Walsh's shot which went inches wide.

 

England continued to press and had a chance when Jo Ellis pushed forward into the circle, but the biggest shout of the game came when she then did an unfortunate airshot. Germany earned two green cards in this period, such was the English pressure, but they failed to get into the circle from their 25 yard superiority.

 

With ten minutes to go the Germans had a foray into the English circle which brought about the first save of the game from Becky Duggan. However two minutes later and a mistake in defence let the Germans in and Duggan's kick went straight to Natascha Keller who doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth! 1-0 to the Germans.

 

Five minutes from time the Germans won another corner but when they fluffed it England strode forward once more and won three corners in quick succession. The final one had the shot taken by Chloe Rogers for Jo Ellis to put in the back of the net. 1-1 at half time.

 

All to play for in the second half and both sides came out cautiously, starting much like the first. England earned their first penalty corner after 14 minutes. One more quickly after but they failed to convert them. Germany started to press forward but the defence stood firm, clearing the ball again when the Germans won another corner.

 

England pressed forward and when Sally Walton found herself at the top of the German circle she nearly made it 2-1. Further pressure and a gasp from the crowd as Becky Herbert turned and skinned the Germans in the middle of the pitch and Jo Ellis hit high over the bar.

 

With less than three minutes remaining the Germans found themselves free at the top of the circle but Duggan made a good save to keep them out. Less than a minute to go to full time and England found themselves in the German circle but couldn't make the pressure pay. In the last seconds of the game Natalie Seymour couldn't deal with an overhead lift and Duggan was forced to make another save, this time with her chest. But the ball was not cleared and Maike Stockel nearly won it for Germany but her shot went wide.

 

1-1 at full time and extra time in play. Seven and a half minutes each way. The Germans came out hard and fast at the beginning of extra time and were immediately in England's circle. England soaked up the pressure but after six minutes it was the Germans who broke once more and Stockel struck the ball past Duggan who had no chance. 2-1 and a win for the Germans.

 

In the first semi-final of the day, The N|etherlands easily overcame Spain to win by

5-1 and take their expected place in the final on Saturday. England will therefore play Spain in the third / fourth play off.

 

 

 

 

 

Amsterdam round-up

England's demolition of Belgium yesterday may be seen as a turning point in the recent fortunes of English hockey. This is not the strongest Belgium team we have seen but there is little doubt that the win reflects England's growing confidence and ability on the pitch. England now play the Netherlands in the semi-final tomorrow (Friday).

Match of the Day for England fans in Amsterdam today is the women's semi-final match between England and Germany.

Yesterday's results (Men):

Belgium 2 England 8 (Jackson [3], Mantell R, Clarke [2], Alexander, Tindall)
Germany 3 Austria 1
Spain 6 Poland 1
France 0 Netherlands 6

Men's Pool A Final Table

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	England	3	2	1	0	17	6	+11	7
2	Germany	3	2	1	0	10	7	+3	7
3	Belgium	3	1	0	2	7	11	-4	3
4	Austria	3	0	0	3	1	11	-10	0

 

Men's Pool B Final Table

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Spain	3	3	0	0	12	1	+11	9
2	Netherlands	3	2	0	1	15	3	+12	6
3	France	3	1	0	2	3	11	-8	3
4	Poland	3	0	0	3	3	18	-15	0

 

ENGLAND ON THEIR WAY TO INDIA by Susan Edghill in Amsterdam

England men routed Belgium by 8-2 to qualify for next year's World Cup in India.

England started in slow time and let the Belgians in for an early lead through Jerome Dekeyser after just five minutes.

A minute later and England had the first of six first half penalty corners, but Ashley Jackson's shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Two more corners went the same way, but finally half way through the first half England equalised through a Jackson corner, this time low along the ground. Five minutes later, with Jackson off the pitch, Richard Mantell stepped up to hit the second for England, again getting the better of the keeper with another ball along the ground. Jackson doubled his tally to take the score to 3-1, again from the corner, but this time high into the top of the net. England rounded off the first half with a goal from Jonty Clarke, fed by captain Barry Middleton. There was a last minute penalty corner chance for the Belgians and keeper James Fair made several saves before captain Maxime Luycx forced the ball home to make it 4-2 and keep in interesting as one reporter said!

England came out strong in the second half and within two minutes of the restart were 5-2 up through another goal from Jackson, this time from a quickly taken free hit he drove in and blasted the ball home from the edge of the circle. More chances ensued and the Belgian goalkeeper was called on to clear the ball after Iain Mackay hit the post. England had two penalty corners and Jackson was again off the pitch for the second of these. Mantell\s shot was parried by the keeper but Richard Alexander following up forced the ball in for a 6-2 lead.

With ten minutes to go James Tindall got on the score sheet, his shot/cross from the left deflecting off a Belgian stick to make it 7-2. And two minutes from time Jonty Clarke (pictured) rounded off England's win when presented with the ball at the top of the circle he shot past the keeper to make a final score of 8-2.

Germany need to beat Austria in the second game of the day by 11 clear goals to top the group so England are likely to meet the Netherlands in Friday's semi-final match, assuming they get past the French in the last game of the day.

Update from Amsterdam

England women's win yesterday puts them into the semi-finals against Germany tomorrow (Thursday). Meanwhile, the men face their crunch match against Belgium this afternoon, where a win or a draw should be enough to see them through to the semis and a qualification place for the World Cup.

Yesterdays results (Women):

Ireland 1 Spain 4
Germany 4 Scotland 0
Azerbaijan 1 England 4
Netherlands 9 Russia 0

Pool A Table after three matches

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Netherlands	3	3	0	0	24	0	+24	9
2	England	3	2	0	1	8	6	+2	6
3	Azerbaijan	3	0	1	2	2	15	-13	1
4	Russia	3	0	1	2	1	14	-13	1

 

Pool B Table after three matches

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Germany	3	3	0	0	13	1	+12	6
2	Spain	3	2	0	1	8	4	+4	3
3	Scotland	3	0	1	2	1	7	-6	3
4	Ireland	3	0	1	2	1	11	-10	0

ENGLAND WOMEN QUALIFY

England overcame lowly ranked Azerbaijan 4-1 to finish in second place in the group and ensure automatic qualification for next year's World Cup in Argentina.

Stand-in keeper in the last match, Sally Walton, gave the England defence a wake up call when she passed the ball to Azerbaijan early in the game. But England soon moved forward and Susie Gilbert had a shot from the top of the circle which went just wide.

England won their first penalty corner after seven minutes but the ensuing shot was wide. They continued to press with the Azerbaijan goalkeeper having to make a save before Chloe Rogers stole the ball from the Azerbaijan defence and drove into the circle and shot across the goalkeeper to open the scoring. 1-0 to England.

Azerbaijan immediately attacked and penetrated the England circle but the defence stood firm and cleared the ball. Mid-way through the first half Becky Duggan was called on to make her first save when Azerbaijan were awarded a penalty corner.

With ten minutes to go Natalie Seymour drove in a good cross from the right and Rebecca Herbert's shot was hit past the goalkeeper by Alex Danson to make the score 2-0.

Azerbaijan continued to press, however, and with five minutes on the clock England's defence failed to clear and goalkeeper Duggan had no chance when Mi Kyung Aliyeva put the ball in the back of the net. 2-1 at half time.

Three minutes into the second half and England forged ahead again with a goal from Susie Gilbert. And when the Azerbaijan goal scorer was yellow carded with 16 minutes remaining Gilbert struck again. Ten minutes from time England were awarded only their third penalty corner. Walsh's shot was saved and a free hit awarded to Azerbaijan. In a bizarre interpretation of the rules, with the ball still rolling when hit, England were awarded another penalty corner. However, the keeper made a fine save and was cheered by the very sparse crowd.

England continued to press until the end and were awarded another penalty corner but their feinting at the top of the circle not only confused the defence but themselves as well! 4-1 the final score and England safely through to meet Germany in the cross over match to decide who will make it through to the final, whilst the Netherlands will play Spain in the other match.

Update: Beth Storry is doing fine, recovering slowly from her dislocated shoulder and having a little trouble sleeping, but is still a very important part of the squad though she will not be taking any further part in this competition.

Round up from yesterday (Monday) in Amsterdam

 

The shockwaves caused by the Netherlands men's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Spain last night are still reverberating around the Wagener Stadium this morning (Tuesday), although Pool B still looks a done deal. Spain are due to play Poland tomorrow, followed by The Netherlands v France. It would take a major upset for either of the pool leaders to come away with less than three points apiece.

Things are more open in Pool A. England's match against Belgium tomorrow will be crucial. The Germans will almost certainly pick up points and improve their goal difference when they play Austria, so the remaining semi-final place will be down to England v Belgium.

Monday's Results (all men's matches):

Poland 2 France 3
Belgium 3 Austria 0
Germany 4 England 4
Netherlands 0 Spain 3

Pool A Table after two matches

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	England	2	1	1	0	9	4	+5	4
2	Germany	2	1	1	0	7	6	+1	4
3	Belgium	2	1	0	1	5	3	+2	3
4	Austria	2	0	0	2	0	8	-8	0

 

Pool B Table after two matches.

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Spain	2	2	0	0	6	0	+6	6
2	Netherlands	2	1	0	1	9	3	+6	3
3	France	2	1	0	1	3	5	-2	3
4	Poland	2	0	0	2	2	12	-10	0

 

England's women play Azerbaijan later today.

ENGLAND SO NEARLY ON MAXIMUM POINTS by Susan Edghill in Amsterdam

Coach Jason Lee quoted a Dutch saying at the beginning of the press interview after the match which says "The Germans are not beaten until they are on the coach back to their hotel". This said it all as England gave away a 4-2 against the Germans to draw 4-4, or as Jason inadvertently said 'a loss'!

 

England started well in the match against Germany and were 1-0 up within four minutes. A beautiful move from the back involving Alastair Brogdon, Ben Hawes, Barry Middleton and then a shot in the circle at pace from Ashley Jackson gave them the start they wanted. The Germans pushed forward and almost immediately won a penalty corner but the defence cleared and England continued to attack. They had numerous chances which they couldn't quite press home their advantage. Both teams had two more penalty corners apiece but failed to convert them. Three minutes before half time though the Germans got their reward when a cross into the circle was deflected past James Fair by Christopher Zeller to make it 1-1.

 

Immediately at the start of the second half Germany won a penalty stroke, Ali Wilson (harshly) being adjudged to have fouled the German attacker. The stroke was duly converted by Moritz Fuerste. But soon afterwards a good move from Rob Moore to Simon Mantell ended with captain Barry Middleton crashing the ball into the net to put the scores level at 2-2. Three minutes later and a shot by Ashley Jackson from their only penalty corner of the second half was parried by the goalkeeper only for Middleton to follow up and give England the lead again. Ten minutes later and a hit into the circle from Richard Alexander was pounced on by Rob Moore to put England 4-2 ahead.

 

England then seemed to sit back instead of continuing in the same attacking vein and within five minutes the Germans had pulled one back through Zeller once more. And just as they were booking their plane tickets to India for the World Cup the Germans popped up with another goal through Christopher Wesley. 4-4 and all to play for against Belgium on Wednesday.

 

Round up from Amsterdam

England's men play their crucial Pool A match against German this afternoon (Monday). Germany overcame Belgium yesterday 3-2 in a close game in which the Belgians put out a marker for when England meet them in their final pool match on Wednesday.

Men's Pool A Table after one match

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	England	1	1	0	0	5	0	+5	3
2	Germany	1	1	0	0	3	2	+1	3
3	Belgium	1	0	0	1	2	3	-1	0
4	Austria	1	0	0	1	0	5	-5	0

Women's Pool A Table after two matches

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Netherlands	2	2	0	0	15	0	+15	6
2	England	2	1	0	1	4	5	-1	3
3	Russia	2	0	1	1	1	5	-4	1
4	Azerbiajan	2	0	1	1	1	11	-10	1