Final
Great Britain v China 2-0 (1-0)
3rd place
Germany v Argentina 1-1 (0-1) (3-1 after shoot-out)
A delighted Danny Kerry saw his team take first place and book a berth at the Olympics following an unbeaten seven matches at the Hockey World League Semi-Final.
A goal in each half and a sixth clean sheet in seven games saw Great Britain claim first place at the Hockey World League Semi-Final to go with the Olympic spot they landed a day earlier, seeing off China 2-0 in the final in Valencia.
Hollie Webb scored the only goal of a tight-knit, tactical battle in the first half. It came from the first corner in the 25th minute, thundering home with a hit from the top of the circle.
Earlier on, GB got precious little room from the Chinese defence who kept things close and sought to hit the front quickly with their long balls to eager runners.
Sophie Bray stung Li Dongxiao’s pads with one early sighter before Peng Yang’s diving reverse-stick shot did likewise to Maddie Hinch’s inside knee after a superb jinking run from right to left. Defending in numbers, China were holding GB at bay for the most part but they were caught by the first corner, meaning it was 1-0 going into half-time.
It took another set piece to double the lead as Alex Danson – one of the stars of the competition – won a corner. It was reset a couple of times before Kate Richardson-Walsh applied the power and a diving Danson got the touch to change the direction, wrong-footing Li and finding the left corner.
China thought they had one back 10 minutes from the end when Wang Mengyu netted from a corner via the back of Lily Owsley. On a video referral, the shot was deemed dangerous and the goal was disallowed. Hinch made one last save from Liang Meiyu to ensure an incredible sixth clean sheet of the competition as Great Britain closed out a superb competition.
Coach Kerry said: “We’ve only conceded two goals in the entire tournament, and we won all seven games. Even yesterday, when people wrote about backs to the wall performance, it was only the last five minutes. Otherwise, we had all the chances to beat Germany by a few goals. I’m thoroughly delighted. Tactically, we have been the best side here; executed that and deserved our win.
“What I would pay tribute to is the hard work the girls put in back at Bisham Abbey (the headquarters of England Hockey). We drive them very hard, it’s not for the faint-hearted and that has paid dividends here.”
Cui Quixia, who enjoyed a great tournament in the China defence, said: “We achieved our goal to qualify for Rio. That’s the most important thing; after that, this final was a bonus. My whole team has played superbly, doing what they have been trained. I think we have done really well and I am satisfied with the whole tournament.”
In the third place match Germany pulled off another incredible escape act to secure their Olympic ticket ahead of Argentina, winning in a shoot-out after yet another late goal – this time from Anissa Korth – snatched a 1-1 draw in normal time. Kristina Reynolds then produced a string of great stops in the shoot-out to Germany a 3-1 success, keeping out three Argentine efforts before Jana Teschke netted the winner.
Earlier on, Carla Rebecchi was in ominous form for much of the opening half, buzzing in the forward line and leading the press to nick plenty of ball in dangerous territory. She and Agustina Habif drew brilliant stops from Kristina Reynolds in the first five minutes and, after constant Argentine pressure, Rebecchi got her side on the board in the 16th minute. It was a lovely move, taking the ball with her back to goal, spinning on to her open side and crashing home.
Her side rode out a yellow card suspension for Martina Cavallero in decent fashion, winning a couple of corners, one of which Noel Barrionuevo fired inches wide. Strong corner running from Eileen Hoffmann kept out another couple of set pieces in the second half before Germany launched their latest counter-strike.
Lea Stockel almost surprised Belen Succi with a near post effort while Charlotte Stapenhorst deflected over the bar before Anissa Korth was credited with a dramatic equaliser. She worked her way to the right baseline before attempting to cross. It popped up dangerously and, while taking evasive action, Noel Barrionuevo was unfortunate to deflect the ball into her own net. It meant a carbon copy of Germany’s quarter-final win over Spain and they held their nerve once more in the shoot-out to finish third overall and confirm their place at Rio 2016.
Hero of the hour, goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds said: “It was just amazing team spirit. We wanted that ticket and everyone fought until the end.
“I don’t enjoy the shoot-outs at all. My legs go weak and everything but I know I have to stop the ball for my team. They are very good in the shoot-out and make me feel safe. Going to Rio was the most important thing and we did it! It’s just a great feeling.”
German coach Jamilon Mülders said: “Obviously Kristina [Reynolds] was incredible. But I have to pay tribute to everybody. It’s something to do with belief. Argentina caused us a lot of problems in the first and second quarters but we came up with better solutions in the second half and created some chances – not as good as theirs but still chances.
“It’s a myth, German style. Twice we have done it here but it’s not just here. In the Europeans twice and in the last World League, winning several matches in a shoot-out. Always, we have had great goalies.
“Mentality; it’s in the training! I can tell you how I train it when I retire! It’s about believing and trust and the point of view you have in the match.”
Santi Capurro, Argentina's coach said: "We played better than them most of the game. I am incredibly proud of my team. Hey, its sport, these things happen. Of course we will go to the Pan-Ams wanting to win, but not because of this. Argentina always wants to win."
