Germany’s women were the first to qualify for a semi final place in the Euro Nations Championship in Manchester when they beat Ukraine 7-0 in their second Pool game. England were quick to follow as a result of their 4-0 win against Italy in the following game. Earlier in the day Spain dropped points when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Azerbaijan. Indeed a major surprise result looked likely after just 15 minutes with Azerbaijan, who had created a major controversy at the start of the Championship when they arrived in Manchester with five Korean born players in their squad, were leading 2-0. A penalty corner goal from Rocco Ybarra just before the interval gave Spain a ray of hope before they took advantage as Azerbaijan, reduced to ten players, following the temporary suspension of their captain, conceded another corner in the 51st minute for Ybarra to collect her second goal and salvage a point.
England may well have ensured qualification for the semi finals by beating Italy 4-0 in their second Pool match but it was a desperately flawed display which does not augur well for later in the tournament. Two players, Rebecca Herbert and Helen Richardson were sent off for not retreating five metres and twice they had free hits reversed for procrastination. These are very basic errors which they cannot afford against stronger opponents.
Richardson gave England the lead in the 10th minute with a ferocious shot into the roof of the net but Italy should have equalised a minute later but Alexandra Blanco blazed over the bar with only Katy Roberts to beat.
Mel Clewlow increased the lead in the 24th minute with a well struck shot from the third of England’s six corners and Richardson added a third a minute into the second half sweeping in Chloe Rodgers’ cross. Italy showed little desire to attack until the final quarter and by then they were 4-0 down, Rachel Walker finishing sharply from an opening created by Kerry Williams. Coach Danny Kerry described it as “a frustrating afternoon but we got the job done.”
The Dutch completed the semi final line up following their 6-0 win against Ireland with Kim Lammers scoring four times in the opening thirty minutes.
TODAY’S MEN’S MATCHES
England tonight lead their Pool following a highly competent 7-0 victory over the Czech Republic and now need only a draw against Germany to reach the semi finals. Richard Mantell converted three penalty corners and there was a brace for Brace for Barry Middleton who opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a fine diving shot after being put through by Glen Kirkham. Matt Daly and Martin Jones completed the scoring and there was little for goalkeeper James Fair to do except applaud although with four minutes remaining Martin Babicky hit the post in a rare Czech attack.
England’s coach Jason Lee was well satisfied with the result. “We have played well throughout and in particular today. We now have got to get a result against the World Champions and World Number One Germany on Wednesday.”
Earlier in the evening Germany squandered the opportunity to be the first men’s team to secure a semi final place when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium. With two penalty corner goals from Matthias Witthaus and Christopher Zeller inside the opening 18 minutes Germany appeared to be coasting to a semi final place. The Belgians had different ideas. A superbly worked routine started by Philippe Goldberg from a free hit just outside the circle set up Loic Vanderweghe to slam the ball home. In a fast and furious, highly entertaining second half the Belgians more than held their own and with just four minutes remaining the ball broke to John-John Dohmen who tucked it into the bottom right hand corner of the goal for a last-gasp equaliser.
Our photographs by Peter Luck show Richard Alexander parrying a rebound off the Czech goalkeeper (Picture 1), James Tindall fighting his way through a packed Czech defence (Picture 2), and Jonty Clarke shooting at goal - his shot was saved by Philip Neusser in the Czech goal (Picture 3).
