England, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands make up the final four of the women’s Belfius EuroHockey Championships following their results on the final day of pool action at Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp.
Starting the day in Pool B, there was drama aplenty with England and Germany eventually making it through. England top the group thanks to a 4-3 win over Belarus, Hannah Martin grabbing a late winner. It left Germany needing a draw or better to deny Ireland and they just about got there on a 1-1 scoreline.
In Pool A in the evening, the Netherlands needed a two-goal win to assure their place in the semi-finals and they duly got there with a comprehensive 14-0 success against Russia.
It left Spain and Belgium battling for the final berth in the last four and the tie was eventually settled by a Carlota Petchame goal in the 34th minute.
Following today’s results, the EHF has confirmed the schedule for the women’s remaining matches. Friday will begin with the Pool C games between Russia and Belarus at 13.30 (CET) with Belgium against Ireland at 15.45 (CET). The semi-final between England and the Netherlands will be played at 18.00 (CET) while Spain against Germany is at 20.30 (CET).
On Sunday, the Pool C games conclude with Ireland facing Russia at 09.00 (CET) and Belgium versus Belarus is at 11.15 (CET). The bronze medal match takes place at 13.30 (CET) and the final is at 16.00 (CET).
Thursday sees the men’s competition reach the semi-final stages in the evening. Spain face the Netherlands in the first semi at 18.00 (CET) before the hosts Belgium take on Germany in a battle royale at 20.30 (CET).
Pool C also gets into gear with Scotland facing Wales at 13.30 (CET) and Ireland take on England at 15.45 (CET).
Today’s action at Wilrijkse Plein also featured the final day of the Cronos Euro ParaHockey Championship 2019 with all of the teams showing their skills on the main tournament pitch before celebrating their week with a special ceremony.
You can read more about the #EPHC2019 here
Women
Pool A: Netherlands 14 (C van Maasakker 2, K Jonker 2, E de Goede 2, L Welten 2, M Veen 2, L Stam, M Keetels, M van Geffen, F Matla) Russia 0
The Netherlands comfortably got the win they needed to cruise into the semi-finals with their first win in Pool A of the women’s competition.
It followed two draws but they never looked like losing this one, taking the lead just 19 seconds into the game and they went on to enjoy their evening in the Antwerp sun.
Read the full match report here
Belgium 0 Spain 1 (C Petchame)
Carlota Petchame’s single goal saw Spain earn a richly deserved 1-0 win over hosts Belgium to reach the semi-final of the women’s Belfius EuroHockey Championships.
It capped a controlled and composed performance, limiting the Belgians to just a small handful of chances across the hour. It meant Spain top Pool A with the Netherlands second and Belgium go into Pool C along with Russia.
Read the full match report here
Pool B
England 4 (L Owsley, I Petter, L Unsworth, H Martin) Belarus 3 (K Syddykava, N Syrayezhka, N Shtsin)
Hannah Martin snatched a dramatic late winning goal for England in a heart-stopper to ensure they advance to the semi-finals of the women’s EuroHockey Championships in Antwerp.
Following two heavy defeats, conceding 24 goals, Belarus were massive underdogs against the unbeaten English but they fought back to level twice at 2-2 and 3-3 before succumbing to that late goal.
Read the full match report here
Ireland 1 (S Hawkshaw) Germany 1 (P Maertens)
Germany got the point they needed to claim second place from women’s Pool B, denying Ireland a first ever semi spot following another dramatic battle.
All the goals came in the first quarter with Sarah Hawkshaw cancelling out a Pia Maertens goal but it was nowhere near the end of the action. Ireland threw everything forward in search of a winner but they rode their luck, too, with Germany missing a penalty stroke and seeing a goal disallowed. In the end, die Danas got the result that mattered.
Read the full match report here
Thursday, August 22 schedule (all times CET; Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp)
Men
Pool C: Scotland v Wales, 13.30; England v Ireland 15.45
Semi-finals: Netherlands v Spain, 18.00; Belgium v Germany, 20.30
Friday, August 23
Women
Pool C: Russia v Belarus, 13.30; Belgium v Ireland, 15.45
Semi-finals: England v Netherlands, 18.00; Spain v Germany, 20.30