One or two reputations took a knock today in the fourth day of play in the Samsung Women's World Cup in Madrid today. First up were the Australians, who were shocked to find themselves a goal down against the Koreans when Jung Hee Kim scored in the 6th minute. The Australians were soon back on top form with a five minute goal blitz during which Hope Monro (2), Nikki Hudson, and Karen Smith, scored to give the Aussies a 4-1 lead. However, the lead was pegged back by a penalty corner strike by Eun Young Choie just before the break. The score remained at 4-2 until Hyun Park scored for Korea with seven minutes of play left. The Australians desperately hung on to their lead and probably consider themselves lucky to come away with the three points.

There was no such luck for the much fancied Argenitinians, who were held 2-2 by outsiders South Africa, thanks to a goal by EHL player Jenny Wilson and a second Wilson shot which was blocked on the line and led to a penalty stroke. The other match today, between the USA and Japan, ended in a 0-0 draw.

England will be in action against India tomorrow (Sunday). Although India have failed to pick up a point so far, they have looked dangerous, and in the matches against Netherlands and Germany were certainly no walk-over. They will be a tough test for England, who will be without their skipper Kate Walsh, who is recovering from a knee injury. Probably the match of the day for neutral and home supporters will be the clash between the favourites, the Netherlands, and the surprise package of the tournament, Spain.

DOUBLE BLOW TO ENGLAND IN SECOND MATCH

Only the most optimistic follower of English hockey would have expected the women to have beaten the Dutch in their second match at the Samsung Women's World Cup in Madrid, but the coaches of both teams must this evening be reflecting on their team's performance. England seemed in awe of their opponents and saw little of their opponents 'D' during the seventy minutes. The fact that the scoreline was restricted to a single goal must be a cause for concern in the Dutch camp. Their only goal came in the 13th minute when the English defence were suckered by a dummy penalty corner hit, only to see the ball switched left to Schopman, who was faced with a virtually open goal. The real concern for England was not the score - which was mercifully more modest than it might have been, but the injury to skipper Kate Walsh, who was accidentally struck on the knee during a tackle and had to be stretchered off. The lastest reports suggest that Walsh will not be fit for some time.

Other matches threw up some shocks. Olympic and Champions' Trophy gold medalists, Germany, found themselves trailing 2-1 to India, and were saved by a late flurry of goals to win the match 3-2. One of the surprises so far has been the effect that playing in front of a home crowd has had on Spain. Their 1-0 win against China gives them their second scalp of the competition.

England next play on Sunday when they meet India.

CULLEN SEALS VICTORY ON DAY ONE

The format of the Samsung women's world cup in Madrid and the use of two pitches, meant that every nation had a match on the opening day of the Samsung Women's Hockey World Cup in Madrid today (Wednesday). England met China in their match, facing a team who have climbed the world rankings and currently sit four places above them. England opened the scoring after 11 minutes with a field goal by Alex Danson. China were then awarded a penalty corner ten minutes before the break, which they converted through their captain Yi Bo Ma, but England were able to restore their lead minutes later courtesy of a field goal from Lucilla Wright. Shortly after the restart, China managed to get back on even terms thanks to a goal from Ye REN, but it was Crista CULLEN's penalty corner striking which restored England's lead and sealed the victor, 3-2.

In other matches there were some surprises. The Dutch seemed to have the measure of their opponents from India, but the Indians responded strongly in the second half, and the Dutch might consider themselves lucky to have survived with a 3-2 win. Australia looked decidely off-form against an enterprising South African side and only won by a single goal. Not unexpectedly, Korea overcame Japan 2-1, and Argentina beat the USA 2-1. Possibly the upset of the day was when the host nation overcame the fancied Germans 1-0.

England are next in action on Friday, when they meet the Netherlands.

NOW IT'S THE WOMEN'S TURN TO SHINE

Following on from the comparative success of the England men's team in Monchengladbach, the women's World Cup opens in Madrid later today (Wednesday). The opening day sees all twelve teams in action, with England playing China later today. Although England were ranked higher than the men at the start of the tournaments, they are drawn in a particularly stiff pool, which includes the Netherlands (ranked 1st in the World), Germany (ranked third), and China (ranked fifth).

At home Surbiton hockey club have announced the appointment of former England men's skipper Brett Garrard as Assistant Director of Coaching as deputy to John Royce. Garrard, who had a particularly successful campaign in the World Cup has 237 international caps to his name.

League tables for EHL first weekend.

GERMANY UBER ALLES! by Peter Savage in Monchengladbach

Sometimes it was sublime and sometimes it was a bit agricultural, but nobody can deny that the BDO Men's World Cup final in Monchengladach was an occasion not to be missed. The Germans were playing in front of their home crowd and did not want to spoil a party they had so ably organised - the Australians anxious to add the World Cup title to their Olympic crown. Despite the Germans taking an early lead through a goal in open play from Christopher Zeller, two penalty corner strikes - the first from Mark Knowles and the second from Matthew Naylor - before the break, left one feeling that the Australians were going to prevail. It was a feeling that was given more weight by a goal from Troy Elder three minutes into the second half. Friday's semi-final match against the Spanish, which had gone to extra time and strokes, had clearly taken its toll on the Germans, some of whom lookd leaden footed. However, there's nothing quite like playing in front of a home crowd and the Germans gradually clawed their way back into the match. A field goal by Moritz Furste and then a goal by Bjoern Emerling put the home side on even terms. The Australians were clearly missing their Jamie Dwyer, who suffered an injury in the match against Spain and remained on the bench, and their penalty corner scoring machine, aka Luke Doerner was not brought on until the last nine minutes. It was in the 54th minute that the clincher came, when Christopher Zeller scored his second, to give the home side the victory. Nobody heard the final hooter the noise from the crowd was so deafening. Players seemed to be aimlessly wandering around the pitch for a few moments until the sudden realisation that they were the victors or the defeated. The Australians were beyond consulation. The Germans celebrated. It was a glorious spectacle. Germany are the world title holder. The final score 4-3.

In the bronze medal match, the Spanish overcame the Koreans 4-3 in extra time. The Spanish have played some entertaining hockey throughout this competition and must consider themselves unlucky not to have reached the final. The Koreans have arrived on the world stage in style. A super fit side who can also entertain.

Over the next few days www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk will be updated with photographs from the World Cup. Our World Cup Special podcast will be available to download from 21/9/06 and our on-line magazine HockeyTalk will carry news, comment and stats from the competition.

ENGLAND CELEBRATE FIFTH PLACE VICTORY by Peter Savage in Monchengladbach

It may not be the World Cup final, but the 5th/6th place match was as good as for Jason Lees' boys in Monchengladach this afternoon. The seeds of recovery which seem to be apparent from the World Cup qualifiers onwards, have at last started to sprout. Their opponents this afternoon (Saturday) were Pakistan, perhaps stronger opposition than one would expect to face for the 5th place, but England fittingly had the lions share of the match. A count of penalty corners was heavily waited in England's favour, but weary limbs and a tight Pakistan defence meant that this route to victory was closed. Pakistan often looked dangerous. Fair made a couple of good saves, and managed to scamble away a ball that stopped temptingly a few inches in front of his pads. In the end it was Pakistan's lack of discipline that let them down. AMaqsood and Abbasi were both sin-binned, and it was whilst Abbasi was off the pitch that an untypical mistake by Saqlain gifted James Tindall the ball in the Pakistan twenty-five. Tindall passed to Martin Jones who slotted it into the net. There were three minutes left on the clock but they all count, and this single goal was enough to give England a well deserved victory. In the other place game played today, Netherlands took the 7th place ahead of New Zealand.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO OUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS OUR BLOG FOR THE FINAL BETWEEN SPAIN AND GERMANY WILL NOT BE UPDATED UNTIL MONDAY MORNING. OUR WEBSITE WILL BE UPDATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE WORLD CUP OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND OUR WORLD CUP SPECIAL PODCAST WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE SITE FROM 21/9/06.

WWW.TALKHOCKEYRADIO.CO.UK

ENGLAN D JOY AND DUTCH SORROW by Peter Savage in Monchengladbach

Not since England won the silver medal in 1986 has an English team finished higher than the Dutch in a World Cup, but the results from today's matches (Friday) give the English a possible chance of a fifth place if they can overcome Pakistan tomorrow. The Netherland, who started out as favourites to win this competition, can do no better than seventh, having been beaten 3-2 by Pakistan. The England camp were bouyant after their victory over New Zealand earlier today, which puts them into the 5th/6th place match. Jason Lee's boys came out fighting from the bell, but after a period of ten minutes absolute dominance they started to lose possession, eventually falling victim to two Blacksticks' penalty corners. Simon Mantell managed to pull one back from a penalty corner in first half overtime, and were on level terms 10 minutes into the second half through a Glenn Kirkham field goal. The New Zealanders, who remained a threat throughout the match, went ahead 8 minutes later, but a second goal by Simon Mantell and a penalty corner conversion by James Tindall, gave the English a well-deserved victory.

The two semi finals were played today. A lively Korean side took the lead in the 31st minute, but the Aussies eventually settled down and took the match 4-2. The Germans made amends for the uninspiring pool match against the Koreans a few days ago by being partners in a superb display of hockey with the Spanish, which could only be settled by penalty strokes.

ENGLAND OVERCOME EARLY SCARE TO STAY IN TOP EIGHT

England will play New Zealand on Friday with the hope that they can at least qualify for a sixth place in this tournament. Today (Wednesday) England played an improving South Africa, and went down to Ian Symonds penalty corner in the 10th minute. It took England another ten minutes to get the measure of their opponents, James Tindall scoring from open play. After the break the England side piled on the pressure and courtesy of two Richard Mantell penalty conversions were 3-1 up by the 50th minute.

Unfortunately the day's matches will be remembered for the farce of a game between Germany and Korea. Both teams needed a win or a draw to qualify for the semi finals. It soon became clear that both teams were happy to settle for a draw and the game was notable for the total absence of a penalty corner during the 70 minutes. Disgruntled Dutch spectators, seeing the chances of their team failing to qualify if the game remained at 0-0 booed and whistled the Germans and the Koreans when their tactics become obvious.

TALK HOCKEY RADIO IS IN MONCHENGLADBACH FOR THE FINAL THREE DAYS. WE HOPE TO MAINTAIN THE BLOG ON SITE, WITH SOME PHOTOGRAPHS IF POSSIBLE.

AUSTRALIA IN LAST FOUR BUT OTHER PLACES STILL UP FOR GRABS

With only one more day of group games to play the tables are looking intriguing. The Netherlands will be sweating on the result of the match between Germany and Korea tomorrow (Wednesday). A late display of form by the Dutch cannot compensate for the loss of five points earlier in the competition. A win by either Korea or Germany will see the Netherlands qualify for the last four, but a draw would consign them to third place in the pool. England's fortunes rest on the match against South Africa. A win or draw would put them in fourth place, but losing would put them amonst the teams playing off for the wooden spoon. Group A is still wide open. The Japanese, who had a surprise win over Argentina today, meet the Australians (who have already qualified for the top four) tomorrow and the Aussies are almost certain to win this game, putting them at the top of the pool. The other match in this group is between current second place Spain and Pakistan. A win by Pakistan could theoretically displace Spain, but they have a substantial goal diffence to ovecome.

ENGLAND'S GLORY SHORT LIVED

The field of dreams turned into a field of tears for England in their World Cup campaign in Monchengladbach today (Monday). You almost had to pinch yourself to realise that for much of this match England were in the lead against the favourites, the Netherlands. Early in the match England had taken a 2-0 lead through a goal from Tindall and a Richard Mantell penalty corner conversion. But the Dutch were galvanised into action by this reverse and scored twice in two minutes, the first from Teun de Nooijer and the second from Ronald Brouwer. England went into the break at 2-2, but shortly after the restart managed to re-take the lead courtesy of a field goal from James Tindall. It was not long before the Dutch has equalised through Taeke Taekema, and with less than ten minutes left on the clock and with Martin Jones in the sin-bin, Taekema struck again from a penalty corner. Final score 4-3 to the Dutch. England are currently in fourth place in Group B and cannot now qualify for the semi-finals.

In Group A, Spain have taken the top place thanks to a 3-1 victory over New Zealand. Australia have a game in hand and the fate of themselves and New Zealand may depend on the outcome of the match between themselves and New Zealand. Only Japan from this group cannot qualify for the semi finals. In group B the semi final places would seem to be a competition between leader Korea and the Dutch and the Germans.

ENGLAND PAY THE PENALTY

A brave England effort against the host nation came to an end when the Germans were awarded a penalty stroke in the 42 minute. England had gone into the break on even terms courtesy of a penalty stroke conversion by Simon Mantell, which cancelled out Christopher Zeller's penalty corner goal earlier in the match. It was Zeller who stepped up to the spot after a shot at goal was stopped on the goal line by the body of a defender. Final score 2-1 to Germany.

Surprise result of the day was when rank outsiders, South Africa, held Group A leaders Korea to a 2-2 draw.

NEW ZEALAND AND KOREA TOP POOLS

The pool stages of the BDO World Cup are at the halfway point, although only four teams have as yet played three matches. After play on Saturday New Zealand led group A, whilst Korea lead Group B.

The showpiece match today was between the host nation, Germany, and the Netherlands. There was no score in the first half, but shortly after the break the Dutch scored in open play from Brouwer. Five minutes later Reckers made it two for the Dutch. The Germans, who seem to have become the comeback kings in recent matches then scored twice through Zeller and Fuerste to give the Germans a 2-2 draw. South Africa and India picked up their first points, drawing 1-1 when they met earlier today. The Indians will be feeling particularly sore that this tournament has gone so badly for them. They are amongst the top scoring sides and yet have failed to win any of their three matches. New Zealand, who have been one of the surprises so far, beat outsiders Japan by a comparatively modest 1-0. Despite their setback against Spain in their first match, the Australians announced that they were back with a vengeance when they dominated their match against Argentina. Final Score 4-0 to Australia.

The group tables are looking increasingly intriguing, with qualification for the semi-finals still open to anyone. England have played two of the three teams where a win might have been on the cards, leaving only South Africa as a realistic source of further points. They still have the Germans and the Dutch to play.

ENGLAND STUMBLE AT SECOND HURDLE

Some of the hopes raised by England’s clash against India yesterday were dashed this afternoon by a scrappy game with a scrappy goal. Korea, who two days ago had humbled the mighty Dutch, were England’s opponents in this their second match of the tournament. Although the two teams were seemingly well matched, the Koreans seemed to have most of the possession. English hopes were raised early in the game when an Alexander pass was picked up by Wilson, but his shot at goal was saved by the ‘keeper. The game was an hour old before the deadlock was broken. A free hit to the Koreans was picked up by Sung Hoon Yong, who deflected the ball into the back of England’s net. England’s hopes were raised briefly in the last seconds of the match, when repeated breaking from a penalty corner resulted in Jong Bok Cha being sin-binned, but Richard Mantell’s final shot went just wide of the right post. Final score 1-0.

Both the other matches today ended in draws. Surprise package of the tournament so far, New Zealand, were engaged in a ding-dong battle against Pakistan which ended four apiece. Spain held Argentina to a 1-1 draw.

The official FIH site is showing Group B tables which are different to our own. We have checked our figures and would maintain that ours are correct

SIMON MANTELL GIVES ENGLAND STELLAR START

England got off to a cracking start in their World Cup campaign in Monchengladbach today (Thursday). Playing India, who had given the Germans a run for their money the previous day, the early omens were not good. Failing to convert two penalty strokes in the first half, it was India who went into the break with a 29^th minute goal from Shivendra Singh. England stepped up a gear in the second half but India held onto their lead until the 57^th minute when James Tindall netted from a penalty corner. Minutes later England took the lead after a Richard Mantell penalty corner strike was saved but the deflection found the stick of his brother Simon, who slotted the ball home. Simon increased England’s lead with another penalty corner conversion, but the last ten minutes of the game saw India desperately trying to retake control of the match. The pressure paid off when Dilip Tirkey converted a penalty corner for India. Final score 3-2 to India.

In other matches, the Netherlands, who had been beaten by Korea yesterday, managed to overcome South Africa but in very unconvincing style, with the final score of 2-0. EHL umpire Andy Mair was one of the officials for this match. Australia, whose lack of form at the Champions Trophy surprised many, were the losing side against Spain. Pakistan overcame outsiders Japan with the highest scoring margin of the tournament so far, winning 4-0.

DUTCH DISASTER BUT GERMANS SURVIVE

Favourites in the BDO World Cup, the Netherlands, got off to a bad start in their opening match in Group B, going down to Korea 3-2. Hyo Sik You scored twice in three minutes to give the Koreans the lead. Brouwer and Taekema pulled one each back for the Dutch, but the Koreans re-took the lead with a late goal by Jong Ho Seo.

The other favourites in Group B were given a scare by their opponents. In the first match of the tournament, the host nation, Germany, faced India. The match began by looking like a cure for insomnia, but Christopher Zeller brought the game to life with a beautifully struck penalty corner goal in the first half. After the restart it looked as if we had a revived and refreshed Indian side on the pitch and after a period of intense pressure on the German goal, Shivendra Singh picked up one of many rebounds from a corner strike to put the teams on level terms. The Germans struck back shortly afterwards courtesy of a penalty corner goal by Oliver Hentschel. However, the Indians would not let the Germans rest on their laurels. In a beautiful one-two move Singh potted a second. With 90 seconds left on the clock, and with every prospect that they had dropped a vital two points, Zeller scored again from open play, to give the Germans a 3-2 victory.

New Zealand took an early lead against Argentina in their opening Group A match with two stunning penalty corner conversions by Hayden Shaw. Their opposition started the match with energy but their moral was sapped by Shaw’s striking power. New Zealand got a third goal in open play after a scramble in the Argentine goal resulted in 18 year-old Simon Child pouncing on a loose ball. Final score 3-0.

MORE INJURIES DENT ENGLAND'S HOPES

With only two days to go before the start of England's campaign in the BDO World Cup in Monchengladbach, Surbiton defender Ben Marsden has been sent home after receiving an injury in the warm-up match against New Zealand on Saturday. Marsden, who injured his ankle in the match, has been replaced by Alastair Wilson of Loughborough Students. To add to England's woes, Barry Middleton picked up a minor hamstring injury in the same match and is likely to be ruled out of England's opening two matches. Middleton is one of the standout palyers in the squad and his absence is likely to impact of England's chances.

England play their opening match against India on Thursday.

ENGLAND BEAT NEW ZEALAND IN TRAINING MATCH

Sources in New Zealand are reporting that England beat New Zealand 3-2 in a training match in their preparation for the World Cup in Monchengladbach yesterday (Saturday). No details of the England scorers are known.

TALKHOCKEY PLANS FOR MEN'S WORLD CUP

The hockey world cups are the most important hockey event in a year packed with international action. TalkHockeyRadio and THR News Blog will keep you in touch with the action day-by-day from the BDO Men's World Cup in Monchengladbach. Here are our plans:

NEWS BLOG: The news blog will be updated after the end of each days matches to give you the scores and latest group tables. For the crossovers, classification matches and finals, we will be there where the action is with a daily up-date from Monchengladbach.

TALKHOCKEYRADIO will have a special World Cup edition which will be on-line from 21 September.

HOCKEYTALK Magazine will also have a special edition, which will be available to download from 27 September.

WWW.TALKHOCKEYRADIO will carry photographs from Monchengladbach on the site.