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:
- Netherlands
- Germany
- England
- Spain
- Ireland
- Azerbaijan
- Russia
- 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.
