Ireland landed a draw against Germany on the opening day of men’s Pool B while England cruised past the challenge of Poland 6-0
Pool B: Germany 1 Ireland 1 (1-0)
Sean Murray’s brilliant 47th minute tip-in saw Ireland record their first ever point against Germany in a ranking tournament as they drew 1-1 in their opening Pool B game.
He got on the end of Matthew Nelson’s backhand cross from the right wing to earn a share of the spoils from a lively meeting with plenty of drama.
In the early phases, German keeper Tobias Walter was required to make some excellent saves from Alan Sothern’s sharp shooting from mid-circle while Mats Grambusch hit the outside netting from an excellent team move.
Germany v Ireland – Men's Rabo EuroHockey Championships – Match Highlights #EHC2017 pic.twitter.com/mHInN1Pd56
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Lukas Windfeder made it 1-0 to Germany in the 17th minute with a low drag-flick from the only corner of the first half. Walter denied yet another Sothern chance from Daragh Walsh’s cross, sitting on the ball long enough for defenders to gather and clear.
David Harte matched Walter’s efforts early in the second half, double saving from Christopher Ruhr and Anton Boeckel to keep the minimum gap. Then came the equalising goal and Ireland had a corner soon after but Walter again got down low to block Shane O’Donoghue.
Germany rode out a Matthias Muller suspension before launching a last minute attack, winning two corners in the last 10 seconds but David Harte and an inconclusive video review saw Ireland hold on for their point.
“He puts his head in places where others wouldn’t even put their oldest stick,” Conor Harte said of Paul Gleghorne’s role in the last second intervention before reflecting on a job well done, diving at the feet of Windfeder’s shot.
“We had most of the ball which is unusal; we are usually the guys doing all the chasing. Like we always do, we make it exciting and people on their edge of the seats but it means nothing if we don’t back it up against Poland.”
Germany’s Mats Grambusch, meanwhile, said: “I thought we had a good game; defensively, we played really well except for the goal. But we didn’t play well enough up front, didn’t create enough chances and convert the ones we got.
Germany – Ireland
17’ Lukas Windfeder 1-0 (pc)
47’ Sean Murray 1-1
Umpires: J Mezlik (CZE), J van’t Hek (NED)
Men’s Pool B: England 6 Poland 0 (4-0)
Mark Gleghorne’s penalty corner double set England on course for a comprehensive victory over Poland, their biggest win over this opposition in world ranking events.
Poland made the early moves but could not make the most of their two corners in the first four minutes, George Pinner relatively untroubled in the English goal.
England v Poland – Men's Rabo EuroHockey Championships – Match Highlights pic.twitter.com/lsV9NFqS9t
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Bobby Crutchley’s side were more efficient with theirs and would run up three goals from their six corners in the first half. Mark Gleghorne planted the first into the goal at some pace and he made it 2-0 in the 20th minute via the same route.
Chris Griffiths was credited with one from play in the 25th minute as his right wing ball into the centre took a deflected at the near post beyond Maciej Pacanowksi.
The goalkeeper did make some fine saves but he was unable to keep out another deflected shot, this time from Sam Ward, to make it 4-0 at half-time.
David Condon added another from a classy move in the third quarter, diving onto the end of Phil Roper’s ball into the circle. Ward added another in the dying minutes to complete the victory.
Speaking aftewards, captain Ian Sloan said of the tie: “Really enjoyed, lots of energy and a nice defensive intensity about us. It was nice to keep a clean sheet; we probably could have scored a few more goals but were happy with the chances we created.
Post Match Interview Barry Middleton (England) #EHC2017 pic.twitter.com/RPcPkA6UZk
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“Tomorrow against Germany will be a different test but we will be confident against any team in the competition.”
For English coach Bobby Crutchley, meanwhile, there was just one thing on his mind: “We are off and running and we can go and get our breakfast now!”
England – Poland
6’ Mark Gleghorne 1-0 (pc)
20’ Mark Gleghorne 2-0 (pc)
26’ Chris Griffiths 3-0
29’ Sam Ward 4-0 (pc)
41’ Davd Condon 5-0
58′ Sam Ward 6-0
Umpires: S Michielsen (BEL) F Vazquez (ESP)