Indoor: Germany, Dutch reach hockey semis 
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| Planet Field Hockey |
February 8, 2003
Independent Online
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Germany, Dutch reach hockey semis
Leipzig, Germany - Natascha Keller scored eight goals to lead the Germany women side to a 19-2 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Friday and a spot in the semifinals of the first ever indoor field hockey world championships.
Keller ran her tournament-leading goal total to 18 through four games as the favourite and host Germany notched their fourth straight victory at the event, which the organisers are calling the World Cup.
The next highest scorers are Australia captain Gaye Kolsky, Johanna Schopman of the Netherlands and German Fanny Rinne, all with eight.
The Germany women, winners of 10 of the 11 European indoor hockey titles, top Group A with a perfect 12 points as they joined the country's men into Saturday's semifinals.
The women from Czech Republic could have booked a final four slot with one match remaining but Austria beat them 2-1 on the final play of the game.
The Czechs have nine points and face Germany later on Friday while Austria, which have six points, are hoping to still advance on goal difference if the Germans win in a rout.
The women's Group B saw the Netherlands advance to Saturday's semifinals on the strength of a 4-2 victory against the French with a perfect 12 points. France have nine, needing just one point against South Africa to advance ahead of Lithuania, who beat Russia 5-1 in their final game.
On the men's side, Poland booked a semifinal spot thanks to a 6-2 win over South Africa in Group B - their fourth straight victory of these championships. The other spot is up for grabs between France with nine points and the Netherlands and Australia tied at six.
Men's favorite Germany clinched Group A on Thursday and the 11-time European champions can improve on their all-time international mark to 117 wins and two draws in 119 matches if they beat Canada in the first round's final match later on Saturday.
Canada need to beat Germany to reach the semifinals ahead of Switzerland, who beat New Zealand 11-2.
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