On the final day of the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, Germany took over the European Champions title after a win over England and the Netherlands took home a bronze medal after defeating Belgium. In the 5th-8th place play-off pool, Spain and Scotland maintained the category with victories over Belarus and Ireland respectively. The two latter teams will miss out on Europe's top eight competition in 2015.
Final: Germany – England 4-4 (4-3) 2-0 Shoot-out
In yet another match decided in a shoot-out at these women's TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, Germany snatched the European women's title for the second time in history.
The match set off at a blistering pace in a dynamic first half that saw seven goals. It was barely three minutes into the match when Georgie Twigg got England on the scoreboard, but Germany hit back with less than a minute through Eileen Hoffmann. Kate Walsh snatched back the lead four minuets later with a penalty corner goal, but then the pendulum swung the other way as a double hit from Tina Bachmann gave Germany the advantage. Helen Richardson and Hannah Krüger finally added a goal each for a 4-3 halftime lead for Germany.
In stark contrast to the first half goal fest, the second half only saw one lone goal as England's pressure was stalled by the tight German defense. Four minutes from the end, Susie Gilbert sunk the all-important equalizer that sent the match into the shoot-out, keeping the English team's hopes for a win alive.
In the shoot-out however, for the second time in three days, Germany came out on top, but the silver medal finish was still England's best result in 22 years.
In the ceremony following the conclusion of the final, Maddie Hinch from England picked up the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, while Maartje Paumen took away the Topscorer title. Tina Bachmann had been elected Best Player of the Tournament. The winning team from Germany also received - in addition to the prestigious EuroHockey trophy - a diamond stick worth 20.000 Euros.
Bronze Medal: Belgium – Netherlands 1-3 (0-2)
In the match for the bronze medal, the Belgian hosts had to take on the Netherlands for the second time this week after going under in the first clash.
An energetic start into the match from both sides saw the Olympic champions take the lead soon with a Caia van Massakker penalty corner goal, as Carlien Dirske van den Heuvel landed a final touch on a penalty corner ball bounced around the circle to double the lead before the break.
The Red Panthers chased the equalizer but were held at bay by the strong Dutch defense through much of the second half. In the 53rd minute however, Charlotte de Vos landed a fabulous reverse stick ball high into the net.
Belgium went all out pushing for the elusive equalizer, taking the goalkeeper off the field for an extra field player, but had to concede another goal instead as the Dutch stormed towards the goal and Ellen Hoog crashed the ball into the boards with three minutes to go.
The Netherlands thus take bronze, their 8th consecutive medalling finish in European Championships.
Pool C: Spain – Belarus 4-2 (2-0)
Eearlier in the day, Spain had defeated Belarus with a solid performance. Beatriz Perez and Gloria Comerma were the authors of first half goals for a comfortbale 2-0 halftime lead.
Just after the break, Rocio Ybarra piled on another with a great reverse stick effort, before Ryta Batura and Volha Shyntar got the Belarussians within striking distance again. They could not take the last step however, and Spain got the final goal of the match instead as Berta Bonastre sent a cracking ball into the top of the net.
Spain had thus secured their ticket to the 2015 EuroHockey Championships, while Belarus are relegated to the second tier.
Pool C: Ireland – Scotland 1-3 (1-2)
In the early morning game, Scotland had defeated Ireland to maintain their place amongst Europe's top eight.
Coming from behind after Anna O'Flanagan got Ireland on the scoreboard first, Scotland pulled level through a penalty stroke converted by Catriona Ralph. Nikki Kidd followed up with a low flick for a penalty corner goal that established a 2-1 halftime lead.
Ireland had a string of opportunities towards the end of the match but Holly Cram had already finalized the 3-1 scoreline with another set piece goal, and Scotland walked of the field as the winner, relegating Ireland to Europe's second flight of nations.To follow the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships in more detail, please visit www.trifinanceeurohockey2013.be or www.eurohockey.org.
