A busy day in Valencia as Pool B got underway. Germany lies top of the Pool after a strong showing against Belarus in the opening game of the day.
The Netherlands has taken control of Pool A with a win 5-1 win over Ireland to sit top of the Pool ahead of a rest day for them tomorrow.
Match 5: Germany v Belarus 4-1
We started day 3 with the women’s game between Germany and Belarus. Germany opened the scored in the first quarter on their first penalty corner. The German team doubled their lead within two minutes via Sippel. At the end of the first quarter, the German earned three corners but couldn’t convert them. Germany started the second quarter with the same mentality than in the first quarter, putting high pressure on the Belarus defence. But Belarus was defending well and the German couldn’t increase their lead.
After half time, Belarus came back with better intentions. In the 47th, they were awarded their first penalty corner, which was deflected in the net by Batsiukova. Belarus had a big chance to equalize in the 50th minute but it was well saved by the German goalie. In the same minute, Germany hit the post on a penalty corner. In the 54th minute, Germany had two big chances but the Belarus goalie made a great save and saw the ball hit her post once again. Sippel scored her second of the morning from a penalty corner 5 minutes before the end of the game. A few minutes later, Boermans scored the fourth goal for her team.
Match 6: England v Belgium 1-1
In the first game of the afternoon, Belgium faced England in the women’s event. Belgium earned the first penalty corner of the game in the 8th minute but didn’t convert it. A minute later, a brilliant pass from the Belgian defence to Ikegwuonu but she missed her duel with the goalkeeper. In the 12thminute, England had a big chance but it was well saved on the line by Grimard, the Belgian goalie. A minute before the first break, England was awarded a penalty corner which was converted by Ross on the rebound. At the start of the second quarter, the English girls thought they had doubled their lead but the goal was disallowed because of a dangerous play. A minute before half time, Rasir from Belgium just shoot inches outside the post.
After the break, there were chances on both sides but both goalies did their job. In the last quarter, Belgium had more ball possession as they really wanted to find the equalizer. With one minute on the clock, the relief was big in the Belgian side as their captain put one back on the counter of a penalty corner to make it 1-1.
Match 7: Ireland v The Netherlands 1-5
The current Champions showed their class against a defensively strong Irish team. Ireland held the Dutch women to a 1-0 scoreline until 33 minutes into the second half. Goals from MOES and JANSEN put the Dutchwomen ahead 3-0, but the floodgates didn’t open and Ireland’s O’BRIEN. Indeed Ireland had a few chances that went astray but were ultimately undone 1-5 in favour of the Dutch.
Pool Ranking:
Pool A:
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 6 |
| 2 | Spain | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 3 | Russia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Ireland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
| 5 | France | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
Pool B:
Upcoming games 16th July:
| Time | Teams | Title | Pitch | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:15 | RUS – FRA | Pool A | Pitch 1 | ||
| 15:30 | BEL – BLR | Pool B | Pitch 1 | ||
| 17:45 | GER – ENG | Pool B | Pitch 1 |
As all games on Pitch 1 will be live streamed, all the women’s games tomorrow will be streamed on www.eurohockeytv.org
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Photographs: World Sport Pics (c)