ENGLAND MISS MIDDELTON by Peter Savage at the Men’s Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach

Picture: Germany''s Benjamin Wess avoids a Glenn Kirkham strike during one of England's rare first half incursions into the German circle.

All writers are told to avoid clichés, but it was most definitely a game of two halves. In the first half England's standard of play reminded me of the bad old days and, as coach Jason Lee later admitted, "Four or five players didn't play very well." And England were punished for it, until they managed to gain some composure in the second half.

England appeared to be unable to shake off an early setback, when Oskar Deecke opened the German account after only five minutes. Although the Germans failed to find the back of the net for another 25 minutes, a seven minute spell made it look as if England were facing a rout, with goals from Jan-Marco Montag, Martin Haner and Bejamin Wess, giving Germany a 4-0 lead at the break.

England looked a far more credible threat to the Germans in a second half, with Ashley Jackson scoring twice from rebounds from his own penalty corner strikes, but overall a worrying performance from a side which has shown so much improvement over the last few months. Lee attributed part of the problem to a mixed England and GB training programme of late but, in this writer's humble view, the absence of injured Middleton and Richard Mantell had reduced the performance of the team to a level where they could not meet the Germans on anything like equal terms.

If England had problems, they did not face anything half as humbling as New Zealand's 9-1 drubbing at the hands of Australia, with goals from Jamie Dwyer, Luke Doerner(2), Jason Wilson (2), Simon Orchard, Glenn Turner and Russell Ford (2). The ghost of Nottingham haunted this match when an Australian penalty corner goal was disallowed after a video appeal. The injector had his back foot on the line. My spies tell me that the umpires were briefed to warn the player if they had two feet on the pitch after the incident at Nottingham three weeks ago but somehow umpire Vasquez Lopez had not noticed.

The Netherlands beat Spain 5-2 in a lively match to finish the day's proceedings. England meet Spain in the final game tomorrow (Sunday).

Summary of first day:

Germany 4 England 2
Australia 9 New Zealand 1
Netherlands 5 Spain 2

Table after one match:
1. Australia 3 pts (+8)
2. Netherland 3 pts (+3)
3. Germany 3 pts (+2)
4. England 0 pts (-2)
5. Spain 0pts (-3)
6. New Zealand (-8)

ENGLAND JUNIORS UNDER THE COSH IN POLAND

England men's under 21 were under the cosh against France, trailing for all of 42 minutes in their second European Junior Nations Championships match in Poland. Fabien Magner scored early in the game to give the French a 1-0 lead, followed by a goal from Lois Sevestre 17 minutes later. Two penalty strokes, one either side of half time, were converted by David Becket, and England's winner followed shortly afterwards when Chris Griffiths found the net. Final score 3-2 in England's favour. With Belgium (on three points) still to play, England should hang onto their lead in Pool A thanks to a strong goal difference (+5).

The under 21 women had less luck in Lille, where they came up against a strong Dutch side. 2-0 down at half time, Lauren Turner managed to pull one back early in the secondhalf, but the Dutch ran out as eventual winners 5-1. England slip to second place behind the Dutch, with France and Lithuania still to play

ENGLAND OFF TO GOOD START IN EUROPEAN UNDER 21s

England's mens and women's teams made an excellent start in the EuroHockey Junior Nations Championships yesterday.

In Lille the women's under 21 team overcame the hosts, France, with penalty corner goals from Sophie Bray and Hollie Webb, and a penalty stroke conversion by Harriet Pearce. Final score 3-1 to England. After one match England top Pool B on goals scored, ahead of The Netherlands.

In Poland, England's under 21 men put five past Spain to give them the lead in Pool A on goal difference, ahead of Belgium. First half goals from Simon Faulkner, Will Hearne, Chris Griffiths, John Kinder and David Becket gave them the 5-1 win.

GOLD FOR ARGENTINA – BRONZE FOR ENGLAND by Susan Edghill at the Champions Trophy in Nottingham

England overcame Germany for the second time at this year's Champions Trophy to take the bronze medal they deserved.

At the start of the match a presentation was made to Beth Storry in recognition of her 50^th cap for England. Mention was also made of Natascha Keller who earned her 360^th cap for Germany to become the most capped player in German history.

England led the pressure on Germany at the start of the match and earned a penalty corner after just four minutes, but the attempted switch left Germany able to clear the ball. It was then Germany's turn to press and when England failed to clear the ball went through the defence into the circle and Maike Stockel was on hand to put the ball over Beth Storry and into the net for a 1-0 lead. They nearly scored again but first the German forward missed her shot and then Storry saved.

The game then went from end to end with England having the better of the pressure, with several chances, the best of which saw Nicola White hit the post after diving to meet a hit into the circle. England's second corner came with five minutes remaining in the half but Crista Cullen's shot was well saved by the keeper. England's third corner on the hooter saw Helen Richardson nearly outwit the Germans again when her deflection hit the keeper's mask and flew over the bar.

It was third time lucky in the second half as England won three successive corners. On the third one Cullen's shot went up off the keeper and Susie Gilbert was on hand to put the ball in the net. Ten minutes later and Cullen finally found her way into the net by putting the ball through the keeper's legs at England's fourth corner.

England survived a scare five minutes from time when Germany were three on two, but the day was theirs and the team went wild as the whistle blew for full time.

Argentina retained their Champions Trophy title when they beat The Netherlands by 4-2 in the final.

England made it to the final when umpire Frances Block was chosen to officiate. It was bad luck for the Argentine umpire that her team were in the final as she and Block were the two best umpires present.

The Dutch started slowly and it was Argentina who forced the first corner and the first goal of the game through Noel Barrionuevo after nine minutes. The Netherlands then camped in the Argentine half until they finally scored from open play through Kelly Jonkers, the Dutch having forced several saves from goalkeeper Belen Succi previously.

The Dutch continued to press but it was the Argentines who retook the lead when a superb through pass by Agustina Soledad Garcia was picked up by Carla Rebecchi who rounded the keeper to score. With five minutes of the first half remaining Barrionuevo made it 3-1 with her second corner strike of the match.

With fourteen minutes of the second half remaining Maartje Goderie robbed Silvine Delia to strike the ball from the top of the circle past keeper Joyce Sombroek to set up an exciting finale to the match. But the Dutch needed to press forward which left them stretched at the back and forced their captain to concede another corner. Up stepped Barrionuevo to score her hat-trick and her 8^th goal of the tournament, making her the leading scorer overall.

After drawing with England yesterday to deny them a place in the final, New Zealand took 5^th place as they came from behind to beat Olympic silver medalists

China by 4-3.

Leading at half time with goals from Ma Yibo and Zhao Yudiao to a Charlotte Harrison strike, China's Ma Yibo put them in the lead again after Katie Glynn scored her second of the tournament to equalise for New Zealand. But the Kiwis fought back again, equalising through Piki Hamahona before Gemma Flynn gave them the lead eight minutes from time to earn them the win.

Tournament Awards:

Leading goalscorer – Noel Barrionuevo
Goalkeeper of the tournament – England's Beth Storry
Player of the tournament – Luciana Aymer

Images from the final days of the tournament will appear on our images page later tomorrow (Monday).

GERMANY WIN FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT

Germany won the men's Four Nations Tournament in Nottingham this evening after seven minutes of golden goal extra time. Great Britain started the match in fine style with a 10^th minute goal from Barry Middleton, with a second by James Tindall from a penalty corner five minutes later. But the Germans came back strongly in the second half, Martin Swicker scoring the equaliser as normal time drew to a close. The winner was scored by Germany's Jan-Marco Montag.

Earlier New Zealand won the third place match against Japan, 4-2.

ARGENTINE APPEAL DEPRIVES ENGLAND OF FINAL PLACE by Susan Edghill at the Champions Trophy

(Photo: England's hopes of getting to the final are sunk as Noel Barrionuevo scores for Argentina in the closing seconds of their match against China)

New Zealand earned their first point of this Champions Trophy when they held England to a 2-2 draw and denied them a place in the final.

England earned their first penalty corner after just four minutes, but Kate Walsh's switch was cleared by the New Zealand defence. And it was New Zealand who broke away and scored after nine minutes through Piki Hamahona.

England's second corner saw Crista Cullen's shot saved by Beth Jurgeleit in the New Zealand goal. Despite the England pressure it was New Zealand who went 2-0 up half way through the half, Gemma Flynn putting the ball in the net when England failed to clear.

Cullen went down with an injured ankle and went off. Shortly after that a quick hit out again by Laura Unsworth saw the ball picked up by Charlotte Craddock who drove into the circle and crossed for Nicola White to tap it into the goal for 2-1.

With five minutes to go England won their third corner. It proved to be third time lucky when Cullen put the ball in the net to equalise.

England looked nervous in the second half as they pushed forward to get the goal which would put them into the final.

Krystal Forgesson earned New Zealand's first card of the tournament when she was green carded for a foul half way through the second half and was then yellow carded with one minute to go.

England had one corner with 35 seconds remaining but Cullen's shot was saved by the keeper. They thought they had won another one right on the hooter but the video umpire ruled that the incident had happened after the final whistle.

The Netherlands made sure of their place in the final by beating the Germans 1-0.

Nine minutes in and Germany won their first penalty corner, but captain Tina Bachmann's shot hit the post and was cleared by the Dutch.

It took the Dutch until the 22^nd minute to earn a penalty corner, but a super save by Kristina Reynolds from Maartje Paumen kept the score at 0-0.

A video referral gave the Dutch their second corner with eight minutes left in the half, but Reynolds saved once more from Paumen.

Five minutes from time and it was Joyce Sombroek's turn to make a save from Bachmann.

A third corner was cleared by the Germans and two minutes later Paumen hit the top of the bar with her fourth corner attempt.

With twenty minutes of the game remaining it was the Dutch who finally broke the ice with Kim Lammers turning Julia Muller to score the 1000^th goal in Women's Champions Trophy history, despite German attempts to get the decision overturned.

Three minutes later and Bachmann's shot from Germany's third corner went frustratingly for her just past the far post.

From then on it was The Netherlands who looked in control, with occasional forays from Germany.

Argentina needed to win to make it through to the final and defend their title and they did so by taking the chances that the Chinese did not with a narrow win by 4-3.

China started well and earned two penalty corners, the second of which hit the bar. However, when Daniela Sruoga went unchallenged into the circle it was Argentina who took the lead, but four minutes from time it was a mistake by the Argentine goalkeeper which let in Wang Zhishuang to equalise.

Ten minutes into the second half and an Argentine corner was put in the top of the net by Silvina Delia. Two corners to China in the next two minutes were both well saved by the goalkeeper to keep Argentina in the lead. And within a minute a mistake in the Chinese defence led to Rosario Luchetti lobbing the ball over the keeper to make it 1-3. With ten minutes to go China's fifth penalty corner was finally converted when they switched and Zhao Yudiao scored for 2-3. Then a hit out from the back reached captain Fu Baorong her reverse shot past the Argentine keeper to equalise brought the biggest cheer of the day from the crowd.

There was still one twist left to the game though when Argentina appealed for a foul and the corner was cleared by a Chinese player who still had on her mask. The subsequent corner was converted by Noel Barrionuevo to dash England's hopes of a place in the final.

England will now play Germany for the bronze medal match.

Final standings after round robin stage: 1. Netherlands 12 pts (+5), 2. Argentina 10 pts (+6), 3. England 10 pts (+0), 4. Germans 7 pts (+2), 5. China 3 pts (-2), 6. New Zealand 1 pt (-11).

Men's Four Nations Tournament in Nottingham Day 3 Results

Germany 4 Japan 2

New Zealand 1 Great Britain 5 (Simon Mantell, James Tindall [2], Ashley Jackson [2])

Great Britain play Germany in the final tomorrow evening (Saturday)

CHINA BROKEN BY CRADDOCK by Susan Edghill at the Champions Trophy in Nottingham

(Photo: Charlotte Craddock waits to receive a pass from Ashleigh Ball to give England a 2-0 lead).

England beat China for the first time ever in the Women's Champions Trophy by winning by 2-1.

Eleven minutes into the game and the first penalty corner went to China. Up stepped Ma Yibo to score with a good drag flick past Beth Storry. England had to wait until eleven minutes from half time to win their first penalty corner of the half when pressure from Laura Unsworth paid off. But China cleared and ended the first half 1-0 in the lead.

Nine minutes into the second half England won their second penalty corner which they used to good effect. This time Crista Cullen's shot was saved but the rebound was put into the net by Helen Richardson, for her third goal of the tournament.

Half way into the second half and a super run by Ashleigh Ball into the circle, skimming three Chinese defenders en route, saw her cross met by Charlotte Craddock to give England a 2-1 lead and Craddock her first goal in an England shirt.

England's third corner saw Kate Walsh's shot saved by the keeper.

With five minutes to go China's captain was given a yellow card and she joined Gao Lihua on the bench and England ran down the clock in China's half for an historic win and a guaranteed medal place play off. A win on Saturday will put England into the final and a chance to win gold.

Germany took the lead in the thirteenth minute with a goal from Eileen Hoffmann and never looked like being beaten in a very one-sided match, although at half time the penalty corner tally was 3-1 in favour of New Zealand. Katharina Otte with a penalty corner and another field goal by Hoffmann gave Germany a 3-0 lead at half time.

When Maike Stockel made it 4-0 and then a penalty stroke from Natascha Keller it looked all over. However, New Zealand had other ideas. With ten minutes to go Gemma Flynn had the best chance of the half for New Zealand when she took the ball at the top of the circle and past the defence, but her shot was just past the post. But a quickly taken free hit from Kate Mahon who pushed the ball through to Katie Glynn to score through the keeper's legs and put New Zealand on the score sheet with just seven minutes remaining.

Three minutes left and a mistake by the German defence let in Samantha Harrison who rounded the keeper and her reverse stick shot flew into the net to make the final score 5-2.

Argentina bounced back into contention to retain their Champions Trophy title with a 4-2 win over The Netherlands.

It only took six minutes for Noel Barrionuevo to score her fourth penalty corner of the tournament to put Argentina into the lead.

The lead lasted all of three minutes before a cross after a super run along the back line by Eva de Goede was put in the net by Marilyn Agliotti.

Maartje Paumen scored her fourth penalty corner of the tournament to give The Netherlands the lead, but three minutes from time it was all level again after a strike by Marina Delfino.

The second half was end to end with Argentina having the edge. It was Argentina who took the lead nearly half way through with a back stick hit from Carla Rebecchi. Then with fifteen minutes remaining Argentina made it 4-2 with a super run along the back line from Agustina Soledad Garcia and goal from Rosario Luchetti.

Any one of four teams can now make the final, much depending on the first game on Saturday when The Netherlands take on Germany. Argentina take on China and England wrap up the group games with a game against New Zealand who have failed to score a point as yet.

Positions after four matches: 1. Netherlands 9 pts (+4), 2. ENGLAND 9 pts (+0), 3. Argentina 7 pts (+5), 4. Germany 7 (+3), 5. China 3 pts (-1), 6. New Zealand 0pts (-11).

Men's Four Nations Tournament in Nottingham Day 2 Results

Great Britain 2 (Simon Mantell, Ashley Jackson), Germany 3

New Zealand 3 Japan 4

ENGLAND APPEAL INFURIATES BEHRMANN by Susan Edghill at the Champions Trophy in Nottingham

(Photo: Helen Richardson celebrates her goal against Germany)

The England hockey team took revenge over the German football win by beating the Germans 2-1 in a thrilling match at the Champions Trophy in Nottingham.

England drew first blood when they won a penalty corner after just three minutes, but the shot by Crista Cullen was wide.

Germany had to wait until 20 minutes into the game to earn their first penalty corner, but they appeared to take great advantage of it and walk the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead. However, England appealed the goal which was then overturned for the ejector's foot encroachment into the circle – a decision which infuriated German coach Michael Behrmann who could barely speak at the after match press conference.

Four minutes later and England won their second penalty corner. Their training set piece worked a treat as captain Kate Walsh pushed the ball to Helen Richardson at the post who had the easy task of pushing the ball in for a 1-0 lead.

It only took Germany six minutes in the second half to earn their second corner of the game, but England won a free hit. A minute later and Beth Storry made a great save from Eileen Hoffman to deny Germany the equaliser.

A great hit out of defence by Laura Unsworth gave the ball to Alex Danson with a chance to make it 2-0, but although she was able to beat the defender she could not make it past goalkeeper Barbara Vogel.

After a German appeal for a penalty corner was turned down, Vogel nearly let in Nicola White when she decided to dribble out of defence, but White's shot just skimmed past the far post.

Another corner to Germany half way through the second half was well defended by England. But with ten minutes to go England conceded a fourth corner and although they appealed again for the goal to be disallowed for a high ball, this time Natascha Keller's goal stood. 1-1.

With seven minutes remaining, England won their third corner and their second goal, in exactly the same manner as the first.

Another corner a minute later and England thought they had their third from the rebound when Hannah Macleod put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed. However, it mattered not when the hooter when for full time with England winners over Germany 2-1.

The first victory ever for England over Germany in the Champions Trophy.

It took Argentina until seven minutes into the second half to get the ball past Bianca Russell in the New Zealand goal.

Russell made save after save from Argentine penalty corners to keep her team in the game as New Zealand failed to make the most of their attacking plays in the first half. But it was a run down the wing and fine cross by Carla Rebecchi which was ultimately touched in by Delfina Merino to open the scoring. With fifteen minutes to go it was Noel Barrionuevo with her third goal in successive matches who put the ball past Russell from Argentina's fifth penalty corner, but only when it deflected off captain Emily Naylor on the line.

Luciana Aymar made it 3-0 with five minutes to go, and Daniela Sruoga made it 4-0 with New Zealand still unable to make any headway into the Argentine defence.

It took China just five minutes to penetrate the Dutch defence when an incisive ball was pushed through to captain Fu Baorong, who calmly put the ball past goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek. China survived two penalty corner attempts by the Dutch in the first half before going into the break 1-0 in the lead.

But the lead only lasted five minutes into the second half as Maartje Paumen put the ball into the net at their third corner. China had chances of their own, but it was Paumen who put the Netherlands in the lead with another of her trademark corners to finally overcome the Chinese threat.

Table after three matches: 1. Netherlands 9pts (+6), 2. England 6 pts (-1), 3. Argentina 4 pts (+3), 4. Germany 4pts (+0), 5. China 3 (+0), 6. New Zealand 0 pts (-8).

Tomorrow is a rest day. England resume play on Thursday when they meet China. Meanwhile, Great Britain's men play Germany tomorrow at Nottingham in the Four Nations Tournament.

Men's Four Nations Tournament in Nottingham Day 1 Results

Germany 3
New Zealand 1

Great Britain 6 (Ashley Jackson, James Tindall [2], Barry Middleton, Nick Catlin, Jonty Clarke)
Japan 4

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ENGLAND BROUGHT DOWN WITH A BUMP by Susan Edghill at the Women’s Champions Trophy in Nottingham

(Photo: Teammates go to the aid of Sophie Polkamp as umpire Eskina summons help from the bench).

After yesterday's historic win against Argentina, England were brought back to earth with a bump when they lost to the World and Olympic champions, The Netherlands by 3-0.

In the first half a mistake by Crista Cullen let in Ellen Hoog to score with a reverse stick shot past the star of yesterday, goalkeeper Beth Storry.

Four minutes from the end of the first half England earned their first penalty corner. Controversially their switch was ruled obstruction by the Argentine umpire and the Netherlands broke away fast to leave Storry with no chance against Kelly Jonker who made it 2-0 to the Netherlands.

England started the second half well when they were awarded their second corner after just three minutes. The Dutch kept out Cullen's shot and then the rebound was followed up by Chloe Rogers. Unfortunately Sophie Polkamp came in from the wrong side and caught the swing straight in her face, returning to the pitch later sporting a cut over her left eye.

England kept out three penalty corners from the Dutch, but couldn't keep out a final goal from Eva de Goede five minutes from time to make it 3-0. Despite a penalty corner in the last minute, England failed to make a dent in the Dutch defence.

After losing to England yesterday, reigning champions Argentina came from behind to earn a point against Germany and were unlucky not to win.

A first half goal by German veteran Natascha Keller was cancelled out in the second half with strikes from Argentina's Mariana Rossi and Noel Barrionuevo. A penalty corner goal by Tina Bachmann gave Germany a share of the honours. Despite intense pressure from Argentina including five consecutive corners the German defence held out.

Today's Results:

Germany 2 Argentina 2

Netherlands 3 England 0

New Zealand 1 China 3

Table after two matches: 1. Netherlands 6pts, 2. Germany 4 pts, 3. China 3 pts (+1), 4. England 3 pts (-2), 5. Argentina 1pt, New Zealand 0 pts.

Tomorrow (Monday) is a rest day, but the first of the men's Four Nation Matches involving Great Britain will be played in the evening.

SINGING ENGLAND ON SONG AGAINST ARGENTINA by Susan Edghill at the Women’s Champions Trophy in Nottingham

(Photo: Hannah Macleod scores England's opening goal against Argentina)

England beat holders Argentina to win only their third Champions Trophy match in history. The match started rather bizzarely when the national anthem failed to play and the whole England team started singing, very quickly joined by the partisan crowd.

Argentina then started the match at pace and won their first penalty corner after just one minute. However, the high strike was well cleared by goalkeeper Beth Storry, playing in her first major tournament since dislocating her shoulder at the European Championships in Amsterdam last year. And after ten minutes a second corner to Argentina saw their shot pushed on to the post by Storry.

Two minutes later England scored a great team goal, passing around the Argentines, culminating in Hannah Macleod putting the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

England gained their first penalty corner after 15 minutes, quickly followed by another but the shot was saved.

Argentina looked dangerous when six time World Player of the Year, Luciana Aymar, strode forward but the England defence stood strong, with Crista Cullen alongside captain Kate Walsh doing an outstanding job.

England continued to press and Laura Unsworth went close with a shot just past the post.

Two minutes into the second half Argentina earned their third corner only to be thwarted once more by Storry.

Walsh was given a five minute suspension on 44 minutes but these seemed to spur the England team on and Argentina only managed one shot in the time she was off the pitch.

However, when Mariela Scarone was given a suspension for Argentina, England's Laura Unsworth immediately won a corner ensuing in Alex Danson putting the ball in the net for a 2-0 lead half way through the half.

Two minutes later and Storry could do nothing when Argentina's second penalty corner of the half was hit low to her right by Noel Barrionuevo. But Storry saved well from the same player with just four minutes to go denying Argentina and giving England their historic win.

China opened the scoring in the first match of the 2010 Champions Trophy after just nine minutes through Xu Xiaoxu. Eight minutes later the Germans were level when a speculative hit into the circle by birthday girl Jennifer Plass was tipped into the top of the net by Eileen Hoffmann.

Despite Chinese pressure the scores remained level as they failed to make the most of their chances, failing only in the final twenty five. In the second half they were made to pay for their lack of finishing when Hoffmann pushed the ball over the line to make it 2-1, the final score.

The final game of the day saw World and Olympic champions Netherlands take on an ever improving New Zealand side. The Dutch had to work hard to overcome the Kiwis 3-1.

Kiwi Lucy Talbot was forced into a goal line clearance after ten minutes and the fist penalty corner of the match also went to the Netherlands, but the defence was out quickly and New Zealand cleared.

The Netherlands had another chance with six minutes remaining but Beth Jurgeleit saved first from Maartje Paumens and then Naomi van As. But the Dutch did not look comfortable as the New Zealanders continued to press them all the way.

In the second half it was the Kiwis who took a deserved lead through Clarissa Eshuis. But the Dutch used their experience to level through Eva de Goede just four minutes later.

When the Kiwis failed to convert their chances they were made to pay when Paumens converted the first Dutch corner of the half. They tried unsuccessfully to level and this left a gap at the back which Kim Lammers took advantage of to make it 3-1.

England take on The Netherlands tomorrow in what could be their best chance of victory against the Dutch for some time.

Photographs from today's matches will appear on our images site at www.hockeyimages.co.uk tomorrow (Sunday).

Women's Champions Trophy, Nottingham

TalkHockeyRadio is at the Women's Champions Trophy all week. Look out for daily reports on proceedings in Nottingham.