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 50th cap for England. Mention was also made of Natascha Keller who earned her 360th 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 8th 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 5th 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).
