18th July 2018: The day opened with the Pool B games where the Dutch and Belgian teams progressed to the semi-finals Belgium topped Pool B with a powerful performance against Ireland (7-0) and now avoid a meeting with current Champions, Germany in the semi-final. The Netherlands put in a solid performance against France 3-0 to take the second semi-final slot.
In Pool A Germany faced Poland. The Germans won the game, 9-1. The hot match of the day was between England and hosts Spain, England needed a draw to make it to the semi-finals, nothing short of a win would be good enough for hosts Spain.
Round-up
Netherlands v France 3-0
MIDDENDORP opened for The Netherlands in the 19th minute. van LEUR doubled the scoring against the run of play as VAN LEUR tapped in a cross in the 24th minute. France had chances in the first half to bring back the scoreline, but the Dutch keeper played a good first half. Dutch captain VAN TONGEREN killed off the game with a converted penalty stroke in the 45th minute.
Ireland v Belgium 0-7
Ireland started well and had a couple of good chances in the first quarter, but overall Belgium was the stronger side in the first quarter. ONANA and ENGLEBERT connected well and tested the Irish defence. However, the game was scoreless after the first quarter.
DUVEKOT opened the scoring with a beaut of a reverse hit in the 24th minute. Belgium’s second came from a defensive error by Ireland and the turnover left ENGLEBERT with a 1v1 with the keeper which he slotted home in the 37th minute.
VAN STEERTEGHEM converted a charged down pc in the 41st minute and with the score at 3-0, the Irish struggled to compete with the attacking Belgians.
Belgium took complete control of the game in the 4th quarter, putting a further 4 goals past Ireland, the final score of 0-7 to Belgium ensures them top of the pool and the chance to avoid the current Champions, Germany in the semi-final on Friday.
Final Ranking Pool B
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 7 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 7 |
| 3 | France | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 3 |
| 4 | Ireland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 16 | -14 | 0 |
Germany v Poland 9-1
Current champions Germany showed their strength with a 9-1 win over Poland, SCHWARZHAUPT opened the scoring in the 8th minute and went on to score a hattrick. KLEINLEIN made it 2-o in the 9th minute. Indeed scores came from SCHAEFER, SIEGBURG, WEIGAND, MAZKOUR and KALIX, proving that Germany has huge strength and depth in the squad.
Spain v England 5-1
The first goal of the game came from a rocket of a flick for Spain. In the 16th minute, a stroke was awarded to Spain after a scramble on a penalty corner. FIGA doubled the score from the penalty spot. Spain played some great combinations with a beautiful work along the baseline as VALL tapped in at the back post. England pulled one back on a penalty corner via MALES just before halftime. The Spanish team put a high pressure in the second half, looking to restore their 3 goals lead. FIGA scored his second goal of the day with a cracking upright reverse. England took their goalkeeper off with 12 minutes remaining but could not score an additional goal. The local team is qualified for the semi-finals. They will face Belgium on Friday.
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