The Great Britain women's hockey team will play two official test matches against Germany next week and two official test matches against Australia in June 2010.
The fixtures come as the athletes enter what will be a busy summer of international hockey for the individual home nations culminating in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in October this year.
Germany, who are ranked fourth in the world, will take on the GB side preparing for the London Olympic Games in two matches at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre on Tuesday 11 May and Wednesday 12 May.
Germany's recent tournament results have included fourth place at the 2009 Samsung Champions Trophy in Sydney and second at the 2009 EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amstelveen. In Amstelveen, two of the three home nations that go to make up Great Britain faced the Germans; Scotland lost to Germany in the pool stage before England went down on a Golden Goal in the semi final.
The Germany tests come hot on the heels of Great Britain's two match series against China at Bisham Abbey last month, which Great Britain were unfortunate to lose despite dominating for large periods of both games.
Germany will be back in the country again this summer as they take part in the Samsung FIH Champions Trophy at Highfields Sports Club in Nottingham from Saturday 10 - Sunday 18 July. Also competing in the tournament are hosts England, holders Argentina, Olympic, World and European Champions the Netherlands, Olympic silver medalists China and Oceania Cup holders New Zealand.
Match schedule:
Tuesday 11 May 2010 - 14:30 - GB (women) v Germany - Bisham Abbey NSC, Buckinghamshire
Wednesday 12 May 2010 - 12:00 - GB (women) v Germany - Bisham Abbey NSC, Buckinghamshire
Wednesday 16 June 2010 - 15:00 - GB (women) v Australia - To be confirmed
Friday 18 June 2010 - 15:00 - GB (women) v Australia - To be confirmed
Source: Great Britain Hockey ltd.
