Brothers put his body on the line to earn England a draw against Spain, the first of the tournament, in a day which saw 23 goals scored in the three matches played.
England started well when they won a penalty corner in the second minute and James Tindall pushed in to make it 1-0. However, a Xavier Ribas shot from Spain's first penalty corner deflected off Barry Middleton's stick to squeeze past Nick Brothers, playing in goal for his first taste of Champions Trophy action to make it 1-1. Pressure at Spain's next penalty corner gave Spain an opportunity to refer to the video umpire when they thought there should have been a penalty stroke. The video umpire agreed and Ribas made it 2-1.
Brothers made two important saves to keep the score at 2-1 before England started to play the game that made them European Champions. Glenn Kirkham went close from an Ashley Jackson pass before Tindall brought out a super save from the Spanish keeper. At the other end Brothers was quickly out to save with his helmet from a Pol Amat threat.
England continued to push forward and the combination of team-mates Jackson and Middleton forced the keeper into another save. Finally, a ball to Tindall at the top of the circle, saw him turn and shoot with the keeper unsighted. 2-2. A minute later and Middleton made it 3-2 when his reverse shot trickled into the goal.
At the start of the second half England again forced Spain's keeper to make saves, most notably from a shot by Jackson. Spain were soon afterwards awarded a penalty corner, the decision referred to the video umpire by England, but the umpire's decision was upheld. The Spanish shot wide before Jackson missed a golden opportunity at the other end to make it four. Middleton's ball through the middle into the circle a few minutes later was crucially intercepted by Allegre with Kirkham sliding in. Middleton also deflected a shot just wide after good vision from David Condon.
At the other end Brothers put his body on the line to save well. England still had plenty of chances at the other end, but with four minutes left the Spanish found themselves three on two and Eduard Tubau scored to make it level. Both sides pressed hard for the win but the score remained at 3-3.
Injury worries though for England, with Ali Wilson still sick, Richard Alexander having a scan on his shin and not playing today. James Tindall was struck on the foot by a ball and played the second half in pain. His foot is swollen but with a rest day tomorrow it is hoped he will be fit and well for Tuesday's match against Australia with the opportunity to add to his three goal tally.
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In the first match of day two, England's opponents from yesterday, Germany, were outclassed by a Korean team which found their scoring form. Korea took an early lead through Hyo Sik You before goals from Witthaus and Montag made it 2-1to Germany. This spurred Korea on and in the second half goals from Jong Ho Seo (2), Hyun Woo Nam and Nam Yong Lee made it 5-2 before Montag made it 5-3 at the death.
The Netherlands took on hosts Australia in the second match. Taeke Taekema increased his Champions Trophy goal scoring tally as early as the second minute when he scored from their first penalty corner. Australia took full advantage of a weak pass by Scot turned Dutchman, Laurence Docherty and pushing into the circle, forced a penalty stroke. Grant Schubert converted to make it 1-1.
A quickly taken free hit by the Australians and a shot by Glenn Turner who followed up the rebound to make it 2-1. A minute later and the Dutch were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty corner when Valentin Verga was upended. Two minutes later though a trip by Robert van der Horst gave Australia another penalty corner and himself a green card (two minutes off the pitch here at the Champions Trophy). Australia switched the ball at the top of the circle and Brett Dancer pushed in to make it 3-1. With two minutes to go in the first half a reverse hit across the goal from nothing brought Schubert in to score his second and a minute later he completed his hat-trick when one on one with the goalkeeper. 5-1 and only half time!
The Dutch came flying out in the second half and Jeroen Hertzberger went close early on. They earned their second penalty corner on ten minutes but failed to stop the ball for a Taekema shot. Australia made no mistake five minutes later when their penalty corner was converted by Luke Doerner. Even when Taekema did get a shot in it brought about a great save from keeper Nathan Burgers. With eight minutes to go captain Jamie Dwyer picked up the ball on the left and reverse hit the ball past keeper Stockmann in a very similar but possibly even better goal than the one scored yesterday by Pol Amat.
With two minutes to go Robbert Kemperman gave the Dutch a little bit of respectability when he made it 7-2 from open play.
