28.08.2011 – Germany is the new European Champion. They beat the Netherlands in a dramatic final 4:2 (2:1). Oliver Korn decided the match with his goal two minutes from the end. Germany showed a fantastic performance but Holland was always dangerous. The 9000 spectators saw an epic final.

After only one minute Moritz Fürste showed great play, passed to Philipp Zeller and he brought Germany 1-0 in front. Pushed by the loud crowd both teams were trying to break fast and create chances. In the 19th minute Roderick Weusthof beat Max Weinhold with a reverse stick shot and equalized 1-1. Germany was not phased and penetrated the Dutch circle.

In the 32nd minute Germany won a stroke, Moritz Fürste took it and put it low into the corner – 2-1. After the beak both teams went a high speed. After some ping pong in the circle the ball got passed around and Stralkowski managed to lob the ball over the keeper for Florian Fuchs, who finished superbly (43th minute). But Holland didn`t give up and fought back.

In the 54th minute Teun de Nooijer converted a penalty corner and the Netherlands were back in the game. One chance followed another. Two minutes before the end Germany won another penalty corner – the chance to decide the match. The ball went to Oliver Korn, he deflected it over the keeper into the net and the stadium exploded. The final score was 4-2 and the thrilled capacity crowd started celebrating a 7th European title for Germany.

Goals:

1:0 Philipp Zeller (1.)

1:1 Roderick Weusthof (19.)

2:1 Moritz Fürste (7m; 32.)

——————

3:1 Florian Fuchs (43.)

3:2 Teun de Nooijer (54.)

4:2 Oliver Korn (69.)

Penalty corners:

GER 5 (-) / NED (2 goals)

Umpires:

Gentles / Mair

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=1&spiel=20&version=EN

28.08.2011 – And the bronze medal goes to England! In a tense, technically first class ‘mini final’, the 2007 European champions needed a golden goal to defeat the surprisingly strong Belgians. The Belgians put up a good fight from the beginning, even if England was the more active and determined team in the opening stages of the game.

The reward for the then reigning European champions was the first penalty corner, which was safely put into the Belgian goal by defence boss Richard Mantell (7). The game developed into a very balanced game in front of the almost sold-out stands at the Warsteiner HockeyPark. Belgium also had a few worthy scenes in the English circle – including a penalty corner which was well parried by the English keeper James Fair – but until the break England managed to hold onto their slight lead.

The same picture continued in the second half, but the Belgian team still had something to offer. In the 44th minute Alexandre de Paeuw was successful with a chip, though this first had to be confirmed by the video umpire (1:1). Afterwards Belgium was the more dangerous team, but didn’t take advantage of their few good shooting chances. The English team also continued to threaten, but after 70 minutes the score still remained at 1:1 – extra time was needed.

Only four minutes into extra time the ball came out of the melee to James Tindall, and he almost playfully looped it into the goal with a backhand shot. The video umpire confirmed the goal and England and their fans could celebrate the bronze medal.

Goals:

0:1 Richard Mantell (PC, 7)

—————–

1:1 Alexandre de Paeuw (44)

———

1:2 James Tindall (GG, 74)

Penalty corners:

BEL 1 (no goal) / ENG 2 (1 goal)

Green cards:

Benjamin van Hove (47) / -

Umpires:

Francisco Vazquez Lopez / Christian Blasch

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=1&spiel=19&version=EN

28.08.2011 – On the last day of GANT EuroHockey Championships in Mönchengladbach, the Irish team sprang an upset. The team from Ireland defeated against the Olympic vice-champion Spain 2:3 (1:1) and celebrated the best ever result of an Irish team in European championships. Timothy Cockram scored two goals and became the man of the match.

In the first half, both teams played on the same level. It became an open game. During the first 30 minutes Spain started to control the match, and the Olympic vice-champion from Beijing scored the lead in the 24th minute (1:0). Pau Quemada converted a short corner with a strong hit in the left corner of the goal. In spite of this, the Irish team did not give up. The equalizer was scored by Eugene Magee. He converted a short corner in the 33rd minute (1:1).

After the break, the favorites from Spain started to control the match. Daniel Martin‘s team played well and had a lot of opportunities to score a goal, but they did not use these consequently. In the 42nd minute, Spanish captain Santi Freixa again converted a short corner and put Spain into the lead for the second time (2:1). Afterwards, Spain tried to maintain the lead, the Irish team tried to equalize.

In the 64th minute, Timothy Cockram converted another short corner with a strong unstoppable hit in the left corner and scored (2:2). Following this, the Spanish team began to run out of steam. One green card and one yellow card weakened the team from the iberian peninsula in the 67th minute. Ireland tried everything to benefit from these penalties. In the last minute of the game, Cockram was successful. He converted a short corner and scored his second goal in six minutes.

Ireland celebrates its best result in European championships. The Spanish team must try to forget this tournament and look forward to qualifying for the Olympics.

Goals:

1:0 Pau Quemada (PC, 25.)

1:1 Eugene Magee (PC, 32.)

——————

2:1 Santi Freixa (PC, 42.)

2:2 Timothy Cockram (PC, 64.)

2:3 Timothy Cockram (PC, 70.)

Penalty Corners:

ESP 5 (2 Tore) / IRL 6 (3)

Green Cards:

ESP David Algere (58.) / Miquel Delas (67.)

IRL Joseph Brennan (16.) / David Ames (22.) / Christopher Cargo (70.)

Yellow Cards:

ESP Eduard Tubau (67.)

Umpires:

Knülle / Van Eert

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=1&spiel=18&version=EN

28.08.2011 – The spectators in the Warsteiner HockeyPark enjoyed a free-wheeling game full of goalmouth action in which Russia defeated France 5:2 (2:2). There was no great pressure on either team, as both had been relegated on Friday. The Eastern Europeans started more strongly and finished their first two attacks with attractive field goals (2:0).

The favoured French team didn’t seem unduly bothered about that, and before the break struck back with a converted penalty corner (2:1) and a jab (2:2). At the beginning of the second half, Russia was again the more alert team and went back into the lead thanks to a corner scoop from Nikolai Yankun (3:2) and a skilful combination resulting in a field goal from Pavel Golubev (4:2). Captain Platonov put the game away shortly afterwards with his second goal (5:2).

France then did their best to improve the situation with a valiant effort, but only managed to achieve two penalty corners, which both came to naught. This well- deserved victory for the Eastern Europeans meant that they finished the tournament in seventh place.

Goals:

0:1 Pavel Golubev (4)

0:2 Aleksandr Platonov (7)

1:2 Lucas Sevestre (PC, 10)

2:2 Jean-Baptiste Pauchet (16)

——————

2:3 Nikolai Yankun (PC, 37)

2:4 Pavel Golubev (42)

2:5 Aleksandr Platonov (45)

Penalty corners:

FRA 6 (1 goal) / 4 RUS (1 goal)

Umpires:

Geoff Conn / Nathan Stagno

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=1&spiel=17&version=EN

28.08.2011 – The Netherlands are the old and the new European Women’s Hockey champions. In the final of the GANT EuroHockey European Championships in Mönchengladbach, Dutch coach Max Caldas’ team defeated hosts Germany 3:0 (2:0) thus winning the title for the eighth time. The goals for the Oranje team were scored by Marilyn Agliotti, Ellen Hoog and Lidewij Welden.

In front of more than 7,500 spectators in the Warsteiner HockeyPark, the defending champions from the Netherlands took the initiative immediately after the starting whistle, putting the DHB under pressure from the beginning. Kim Lammers narrowly missed a shot in the third minute. Shortly afterwards Naomi van As earned the first penalty corner, which Marilyn Agliotti converted to put the guests into an early lead.

Maike Stöckel seemed to have Germany’s first real chance after 21 minutes, but there was a foul by the Dutch keeper, which did not bring the expected 7 metre penalty shot. Shortly afterwards Kim Lammers’ shot was cleared from the line by Mandy Haase. Just three minutes later, Ellen Hoog rounded off a dream attack with a backhand 0:2. But the DHB team fought back and soon won the first two penalty corners, both of which were thwarted by the defence. Janine Beermann then had a good chance at goal, which was saved by the goalkeeper Floortje Engels.

The first half ended 2:0 for Holland. After the break the Germans applied a little more pressure and Natascha Keller’s shot led to a penalty corner which gave them their first good chance. But after that the DHB could not penetrate the Dutch defence and had trouble with their passing game. Naomi van As and Ellen Hoog went on to create chances, all of which were parried by Yvonne Frank. The German keeper also held a scoop from Maartje Paumen, but was then powerless to stop the stroke from Lidewij Welden a minute before the end.

This meant that the women in orange could finally launch the celebrations of their eighth European title, and not even the hail storm which set in punctually as the final whistle blew could dampen their enthusiasm or that of their fans.

Goals:

0:1 Marilyn Agliotti (PC, 11)

0:2 Ellen Hoog (24)

——————-

0:3 Lidewij Welden (PC, 6)

Penalty corners:

GER: 5(-) / NED: 4 (2 goals)

Spectators: 7,500

Umpires:

Iparraguirre / Metchette

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=0&spiel=20&version=EN

27.08.2011 – England had to be very patient against the defensively strong Spanish team. It wasn’t until three minutes before the end of the game that Helen Richardson scored the winning goal and presented her team with the bronze medal. There were no goals before half time. Both teams concentrated fully in the match for third place, but neither side gave away many chances.

England’s goalkeeper Storry took the sting out of a Spanish penalty corner in the fourth minute, and only a minute later there was no one in the English circle to accept a cross pass from Anabel Flores. Spain did not see many more chances – one corner was defended by England. England had more possession, but was usually stopped on the Spanish quarter line, and so there were no more conclusive scenes to report in the circles during the last 15 minutes.

England improved after the break, but had bad luck after two minutes when they hit the Spanish post. Lopez de Eguilaz in the Spanish goal had to stretch in the 42nd minute to disarm an Argentinian backhand from Alex Danson. Spain went into the lead somewhat surprisingly in the 49th minute as the result of a penalty corner. Georgina Oliva’s shot could be blocked, but Silvia Muñoz was able to poke the ball over the English line from the melee.

England didn’t give up and equalised just three minutes later, when Georgina Twiggs found Helen Richardson at the far post, and she safely put the ball home. And England remained strong while Spain could only counter singly. The winning goal came just before the end, when an English free hit was quickly carried out, and Helen Richardson again scored with an Argentinian backhand. The usually reliable Lopez de Eguilaz was not able to block the goal.

England deservedly won the bronze medal and could even afford to concede a final penalty corner. England’s coach Danny Kerry was very pleased with the success: “Spain played very defensively, as they have throughout the tournament, as we knew that we couldn’t force success. Our patience paid off.” Captain Kate Walsh was still a bit sad about the semi-final loss to the Netherlands on Thursday.

“Yesterday we got together in the team and had long discussions. It was very good that we could round up the tournament with this success. Even if it may sound a bit strange after a long hockey year, I’m already looking forward to the preparations for the Olympics. With our Scottish and Welsh players, we’ll be able to put together a really good team for Great Britain in London.”

Goals:

-

—————-

0:1 Silvia Muñoz (48, PC)

1:1 Helen Richardson (51)

2:1 Helen Richardson (67)

Penalty corners:

ENG 3 (no goal) / ESP 3 (1 goal)

Green cards:

Ashleigh Ball (31) / Olalla Piñeiro (9)

Umpires:

Julie Ashton-Lucy / Stella Bertlema

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=0&spiel=19&version=EN

27.08.2011 – The Belgian women won their decisive game in GANT EuroHockey Championships against Azerbaijan with 1:3 (0:2). Pascal Kina’s team used counter-attacks to score their goals. Azerbaijan tried everything to score a goal, but they could not use their chances successfully. After this result, the Azerbaijani team must be relegated.

The Belgians scored their first goal in the third minute, when captain Charlotte de Vos used the confusion in the east European defense and scored the leading goal. After this, the team from Azerbaijan tried to equalize. They had a lot of chances, but in spite of this they could not score. Instead Belgian extended the lead. After a counter-attack from the left side, Barbara Nelen scored the 0:2, in the 17th minute. Afterwards the Azerbaijani had many opportunities to get one back, but they were not successful. In the second half, the Azerbaijanis tried to attack the Belgian goal.

However, the good Belgian defense didn‘t allow them a lot of chances. In the 63rd. minute, Jill Boon ended all Azerbaijani hopes of staying in Championship. After an illegal kick inside the Azerbaijani circle the Belgian team got a penalty. Boon converted the chance and scored the 0:3 from seven meters. In the last minute of the game, Hyesook Shukurzade scored the consolation goal after a short corner. Therefore, Belgium and Ireland will stay in Championship. Azerbaijan and Italy will be relegated.

Goals:

0:1 Charlotte de Vos (3.)

0:2 Barbara Nelen (17.)

—————-

0:3 Jill Boon (63.)

1:3 Hyesook Shukurzade (70.)

short corners:

AZE 4 (1 Tor) / BEL – (-)

green cards:

AZE – Yoon Seon Kim (26.) / Soyoon Lee (56.) / Emine Muzaffarova (69.) BEL – Lieselotte Lindt (27.) / Laura Patriarche (54.) / Louise Cavenaile (56.)

Umpires

Meister / Mulder

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=0&spiel=18&version=EN

27.08.2011 – The Irish women won 4:1 (3:0) against Italy. Because Azerbaijan lost its match against Belgium, Ireland prevented relegation. Three great attacks in the first half were enough to win the match.

Italy started well prepared and had the first chances. After a few minutes Ireland took control and the team of headcoach Gene Muller played three really strong minutes. Emma Clarke exploited the first chance of the Irish team in the 17th minute. Nicola Symmons and Aine Connery increased the Irish lead to 3:0 (19th/20th). In the second half Italy got stronger and Alessia Padalino scored after 43 minutes with a backhand shot.

Ireland didn`t become nervous and controlled the match. The last goal of the day was successfully scored by Shirley McCay two minutes before the end. After the final whistle the Irish women had to wait until the end of the Azerbaijan match, then they celebrated staying in the A-Division.

Goals:

0:1 Emma Clarke (17.)

0:2 Nicola Symmons (19.)

0:3 Aine Connery (20.)

—————-

1:3 Alessia Padalino (43.)

1:4 Shirley Mc Cay (68.)

Penalty Corners:

ITA – / IRL 5 (1 goal)

Green cards:

Matilde Canavosio (35.); Chiara Padalino (53.) / Emma Smyth (44.)

Yellow cards:

Agata Wybieralaska (63.) / -

Umpires:

Eskina / Sanders

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=0&spiel=17&version=EN

26. August, GANT EHC in Moenchengladbach, Men: Germany – England 3:0 (1:0)

26.08.2011 – Germany won its semi-final against England 3:0 (1:0) and will challenge the Netherlands in the final on Sunday. Because of the horrendous rain the match was paused for over one hour 23 minutes before the end. Christopher Zeller, Oskar Deecke and Oliver Korn scored and shot Germany into the final.

In the first half the DHB-Team had more possession, but England had the more dangerous chances. Nevertheless Philipp Zeller got the ball after 15 minutes and flicked it in the goal. When play resumed for the final 23 minutes England got better, but Germany scored. In the 60th minute Oskar Deecke ripped a reverse high into the net and the DHB-team increased their lead.

After that Max Weinhold had to save two English penalty corners. Three minutes before the end Oliver Korn smashed the ball into the empty net after keeper Nick Brothers was beaten. In the last minutes Germany defended well and secured the victory.

Goals:

1:0 Philipp Zeller (15.)

——————

2:0 Oskar Deecke (60.)

3:0 Oliver Korn (67.)

Penalty corners:

GER 2 (-) / ENG 4 (-)

Umpires:

van Eert / Stagno

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=1&spiel=16&version=EN

26.08.2011 – The men from the Netherlands marched through to the final of the 2011 GANT EuroHockey Championships by beating the valiant Belgians 4:2 (2:2) on Friday evening. Corner specialist Taeke Taekema was once again the match winner with two goals for the Oranjes. Belgium had the better start in the semi-final and put pressure on the Dutch circle from the word go.

The favoured Dutch team needed time to find their form. In the seventh minute Billy Bakker didn’t get a full hit of the ball in the Belgian circle, so that there was hardly any danger of it getting past Belgian goalkeeper David von Rysselberghe. Belgium also had their chances: Simon Gougnard’s stroke was, however, not hard enough. In the fifteenth minute Holland’s Valentin Verga had the fastest reflexes when the Belgian goalie just let the ball drop – Netherlands in the lead.

But Belgium did not give up: once again fired on by the loud cheers of their numerous fans, they kept in the game. Florent von Aubel powered into the Dutch circle and scored the well-deserved equalizer with a terrific flat shot. Belgium now had control of the play. In a confused situation after a penalty corner Simon Gougnard stroked the ball over the line, but it wasn’t until after a long consultation with the video umpire that the goal was allowed to stand.

Holland’s corner specialist Taeke Taekema kept his team in the game with a converted corner shot into the right corner (32). Seconds before the half-time whistle, Bob Voogd had the Dutch lead on the tip of his stick, but his Argentinian backhand soared high over the Belgian goal, and so the score remained tied. At the beginning of the second half Holland was the dominant team. Taekema again used a penalty corner to put the Netherlands in the lead – this time with a flat shot into the left corner (40).

It wasn’t until his third set piece that Taekema’s luck run out. The Belgian defence was able to clear his shot from the line (45). Belgium now tried to get back in the game, but they could not create any action in the circle against the clever Dutch defence, whereas the Dutch countered dangerously again and again. De Voogd again reached the Belgian circle with a 20 metre solo, but mishit from an acute angle. Shortly afterwards Robbert Kempermann got through to the back line and shot the decisive 4:2 from a sharp angle (61).

Belgium then started to reapply the pressure but were not able to penetrate into the Dutch circle. The Netherlands protected their lead, and therefore their place in the final of the GANT EuroHockey European Championships, and even had a few excursions into the Belgian circle. But nothing came of them. One strong Belgian half was not after all sufficient to endanger the favourite’s victory.

Goals:

0:1 Valentin Verga (15)

1:1 Florent von Aubel (22)

2:1 Simon Gougnard (29)

2:2 Taeke Taekema (32, PC)

—————–

2:3 Taeke Taekema (40, PC)

2:4 Robbert Kempermann (61)

Penalty corners:

BEL 1 (1 goal) / NED 4 (2 goals)

Green cards:

- / Seve van Ass (49)

Umpires:

Hamish Jamson / Christian Blasch

Original Article: http://www.hockey.de/VVI-web/default.asp?lokal=DHB&innen=/VVI-web/EM/2011/Ergebnisdienst.asp&auswahl=1&spiel=15&version=EN