ENGLAND CLINCH THE BRONZE MEDAL by Peter Colwill at the Gant EuroHockey Championships at Monchengladbach

Helen Richardson’s two goals gave England’s Women a 2-1 win over Spain in the Bronze medal match. Trailing from a Silvia Munoz goal in the eleventh minute of the second half after Beth Storry had saved Rocio Ybarra’s penalty corner stroke, England threw the kitchen sink at the Spanish defence and emerged with a deserved victory.
“We knew Spain would sit deep when they scored,” said Danny Kerry, the England Coach, “and it took something very special to break them down.”
Alex Danson, who had already produced one sharp save from Maria Lopez de Eguilaz, created the equaliser midway through the half with a stinging reverse shot touched in by Richardson. Another Danson stroke beat the goalkeeper but was cleared off the line.
With just over two minutes remaining, Danson charged down an attempted lifted clearance and moved the free hit to Richardson who drove into the circle and unleashed a shot worthy of a medal.