Great Britain women played the first of their four-nations tournament matches in a competition which is being played alongside the men’s Champions Trophy here in Rotterdam. Taking on India, goals from Helen Richardson and Lucilla Wright (pictured) gave Great Britain a much deserved win over India, with goalkeeper Beth Storry not having to make a single save during the match. Final score 2-0.
Florian Keller bagged a brace in his 100th game for Germany and is the leading goal scorer after the third day of the Champions Trophy. His side took a 3-0 lead with Keller, Mathias Witthaus and Sebastian Draguhn finding the net. Although S Korea pulled one back with a penalty corner conversion by Byung Hoon Kim, another goal before half time – a penalty stroke conversion (the first of the tournament) by Keller - looked to have sealed the game. But in the second half the South Koreans stormed back with goals from Nam Yong Lee and captain Jong Ho Seo. Germany held on for a win 4-3 win. When asked after the match what he thought of Germany’s chances at the Olympics after Sunday’s defeat at the hands of the Netherlands, coach Markus Weise said “Winning the Champions Trophy is not important”.
Only fine saves by their goalkeeper kept Australia in the game as Spain failed to convert any of their six penalty corners. It was a fine run down the right and cross by Jamie Dwyer, turned in by Grant Schubert, that finally broke the deadlock. But Spain took a deserved point when David Alegre scored after a mistake by the Australian goalkeeper.
Having been rested in the previous game, Teun de Nooijer took the captain’s arm band as both Delmee and goalkeeper Vogels were rested in the game against Argentina. Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, with the score at 0-0 and 1-1 in the penalty corner stakes. There were some nice interchanges from both sides but still no goals, although both ‘keepers were kept busy throughout the game. But with one minute left on the clock Argentina won their third penalty corner of the half which was finally put in the net by Juan Ignacio Gilardi to give them a 1-0 win. This may well turn out to be a prelude to the final on Sunday with Argentina now leading the way and the Netherlands in second place.
