The US pulled off a spectacular come-from-behind victory over Nice Britain’s girls as FIH Hockey Professional League motion continued in London on Thursday. The People’ first win within the collection since February final yr was not sufficient to save lots of them from relegation however offered a pre-Olympic increase as their marketing campaign got here to an finish.
In different matches, Spain’s victory over Germany’s males meant they’ll be taking part in in subsequent season’s FIH Hockey Professional League whereas newcomers Eire shall be relegated. The Irish wrapped up their marketing campaign with one other defeat towards GB’s males. In Thursday’s different match, Germany’s girls prevailed in a carefully fought contest towards China.
(Girls’s) China 2 – 3 Germany
Germany needed to work laborious to eke out an thrilling 3-2 win over China. The Germans survived some early Chinese language penalty corners earlier than Charlotte Stapenhorst pounced on a rebound from open play to place them forward within the 11th minute. The beginning of the second interval noticed Germany briefly lose focus, permitting Yu Anhui to attain for China from the restart. The Chinese language then had one other clear alternative inside a minute however Germany recovered properly and Li Xinhuan was referred to as on repeatedly in China’s objective to maintain her staff alive within the match.
China pressed a lot larger and dominated the third quarter and Gu Bingfeng put them in entrance simply earlier than the ultimate break. Germany then kicked off an action-packed fourth quarter with 11 outfield gamers and Sonja Zimmermann equalised for them with a drag flick within the 47th minute. The Germans persevered and not using a goalkeeper, and Sara Strauss tapped in for the lead within the 55th minute. A interval the place neither staff had a goalkeeper on the pitch adopted, and Germany efficiently defended a penalty nook earlier than bringing their keeper again with a little bit over two minutes remaining to carry on for the victory.
The participant of the match went to Germany’s Charlotte Stapenhorst who mentioned: “We’re glad we received I believe. We had some actually powerful defending conditions and we have been capable of make it possible for they didn’t rating, so we’re simply comfortable for the win.”
(Girls’s) Nice Britain 1 – 3 USA
The USA ended their FIH Hockey Professional League marketing campaign in positive model, coming from behind for a deserved 3-1 win over hosts Nice Britain. Each groups loved durations of dominance in an evenly contested first half, with GB beginning energetically to take the lead with a 6th-minute Katie Robertson area objective. The USA regularly took extra management because the half progressed and Megan Valzonis pulled them degree with a area objective.
The USA dominated a goalless third quarter and carried great momentum into the ultimate interval. Ashley Sessa escaped her marker for a deflection to place the People forward, and Meredith Shoulder added a 56th-minute area objective to take the match away from GB. The People let a few glorious groups off the hook earlier within the competitors so the win isn’t sufficient to keep away from relegation, however they’ve fired warning photographs for any groups who may underestimate them on the Olympic Video games.
An ecstatic Meredith Shoulder of the USA was named participant of the match and mentioned: “I’m actually happy with my staff for pulling it collectively and ending on a very good observe. The management has been unimaginable all through this tour and we by no means gave up as soon as.”
(Males’s) Germany 0 – 3 Spain
Spain have been rock strong in defence and inventive on assault as they outclassed Germany 3-0. The successful margin may simply have been larger have been it not for the heroics of Jean-Paul Danneberg in Germany’s objective. The Germans dominated possession and territory within the first half, but it surely was Spain’s José Basterra who grabbed the lead with a fast reverse strike from the highest of the circle.
Spain took management of the second half, making skilful circle entries and testing Danneberg repeatedly earlier than Basterra doubled the lead within the 40th minute with the simplest of tap-ins. Basterra accomplished his hattrick lower than 10 minutes later as Spain strung collectively some intricate passes within the circle to set him up. The outcome ensured Spain will stay within the competitors for an additional season whereas confirming Eire’s relegation.
A delighted José Basterra was awarded the participant of the match and mentioned: “Very proud of the efficiency of the staff. That recreation was crucial for us as a result of we need to play subsequent season the FIH Professional League… Now we now have two final video games hopefully that we now have to be very targeted and attempt to win extra video games and play good.”
(Males’s) Nice Britain 3 – 0 Eire
Hosts Nice Britain have been medical when it mattered as they logged a cushty 3-0 win over Eire. The Irish have been seeking to bounce again from a 5-1 defeat by the hands of the identical opposition over the weekend to finish their marketing campaign on a excessive. They dominated the primary quarter, but it surely was GB who scored two fast objectives towards the run of play. Sam Ward pounced on a penalty nook rebound within the 12th minute and Phil Roper added a second from a botched penalty nook two minutes late. Ward then prolonged GB’s lead within the second interval, getting on the top of a direct go by means of the centre of the Irish circle.
The second half failed to return alive as play ebbed and flowed between the 25m traces. GB had a penalty nook and a few half probabilities, and Eire had two unsuccessful penalty corners on the loss of life, however there have been no extra objectives. The Irish put in some glorious performances within the FIH Hockey Professional League, together with beating Olympic champions Belgium twice, however their marketing campaign finally resulted in relegation.
The participant of the match was Stuart Rushmere of Nice Britain who mentioned: “I believe we took our probabilities very well, very medical, and in deep defence stored them out very properly.”
High Scorer Armband
To have a good time the proficient goal-scorers all through the season the FIH has launched the High Scorer Armband, which is being worn by the main goal-scorers within the males’s and ladies’s competitions within the present season, as a visible mark for the followers, and for the gamers to put on proudly, match after match.
Present High Scorers:
Girls – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (15 objectives)
Males – Jip Janssen (NED) (12 objectives)
To see the present standings within the FIH Hockey Professional League, click on right here.
FIH Hockey Professional League – 6 June 2024
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London (UK)
WOMEN
End result: Match 55 (W)
China 2 – 3 Germany
Participant of the match: Charlotte Stapenhorst (GER)
Umpires: Martin Madden (SCO), Magali Sergeant (BEL), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL-video)
End result: Match 56 (W)
United States 3 – 1 Nice Britain
Participant of the match: Meredith Shoulder (USA)
Umpires: Cookie Tan (SGP), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL), Magali Sergeant (BEL-video)
MEN
End result: Match 55 (M)
Germany 0 – 3 Spain
Participant of the match: José Basterra (ESP)
Umpires: Coen Van Bunge (NED), Michiel Otten (NED), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL-video)
End result: Match 56 (M)
Nice Britain 3 – 0 Eire
Participant of the match: Stuart Rushmere (GBR)
Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Ivona Makar (CRO), Michiel Otten (NED-video)
