Women’s Bronze Medal match: Germany 0 England 2 (0-1)
A goal in each half saw England clinch the Rabo EuroHockey Championships bronze medal as they saw off Germany 2-0 in a cracking tie at the Wagener Stadium.
They were clinical, Hannah Martin pouncing in the first half for the opener before Alex Danson made sure of the win in the last five minutes.
Reflecting on the win, Danson said she was “really delighted”, adding: “We knew it was going to be a tough encounter and Germany played very, very well. We took the two chances when we had them and I am happy to go home with a bronze medal and very proud of the team.”
Germany v England – Women's Rabo EuroHockey Championships – Match Highlights pic.twitter.com/2affs5xuQg
— EuroHockey (@eurohockeyorg) August 26, 2017
As for the new faces in the panel, she added: “We’ve built and built. What a night it was against the Dutch and a fantastic game of hockey for everyone. We played well and were happy with our performance. We’ve definitely grown as the tournament has gone on and this is a very exciting, youthful team. For years to come, it will be an exciting time.”
Coach David Ralph agreed: “What we have done and what we have overcome, I’m absolutely delighted that we get this reward for the effort.
“It’s fantastic for the young players. Winning is a habit and losing is a habit so to win a medal at a tournament, it ingrains good habits. When we go to the next one, the players will have that. In these medal matches, it’s fine margins between winning and losing. You have to experience winning and they have done that today.”
The first half was very even with both sides enjoying spells on top with big chances at each end. The key moment came when Elena Rayer burst down the right, creating an overload and switched right to Martin who scored on the turn.
And Danson put her side out of sight, showing her instinct for goal when Sophie Bray got to the baseline and picked her out at the near post.
Charlotte Stapenhorst thought she had given her side a lifeline with a few minutes to go with a sumptuous piece of skill but the goal was ruled out for a backstick in the build-up. And England kept out the late barrage to close out the 2-0 victory and their bronze medal.
For Germany’s coach, Jamillon Mulders he reflected on an “incredible summer” for his new look side.
“We started in Jo’burg with ten totally new players and the way the girls performed, I am very proud of them. We got the ticket for World League 4 and the World Cup.
“The way they managed our idea of playing, it went a way I didn’t expect. The pool stage went really well; the semi-final saw a lack of quality, more mentally than technically.
“But the future is really strong. This is the first tournament we haven’t medaled in five times but it is the sixth tournament in a row when we got to the semi-finals. It’s the most successful phase for German women.
“I have to name Janne Muller-Wieland as captain and Nike Lorenz – they were outstanding as full-backs. Also, everybody talks about how Germany will have an incredible problem after the legacy of Reynolds and Frank. You saw the performance of Julia Ciupka in each tournament. Outstanding.”
Germany – England
29 ‘Hannah Martin 1-0
55’ Alex Danson 2-0
Umpires: L Delforge (BEL), A Unka (NZL)