Euros: England hockey prepares for Semi-finals
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| World Class Hockey |
September 10, 2003
World Class Hockey
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England's men's and women's sides have their sights firmly set on making the finals at the European Nations Cup at the end of this week.
If England won the Cup they would automatically Great Britain for Athens.
England's women had a clean run through their pool allowing just one goal to go past them in five matches beating Italy 8 - 0, Wales, 5 - 0, Ireland 3 - 0, the Ukraine 5 - 0 and Germany 5 - 1.
England's men made hard work of their trek through pool play, looking rather dreadful against Italy drawing 2-2, brilliant in their 3 - 0 win over Olympic Champions, Holland, average against Switzerland but still managed to win 4 - 2, and surprised by home nation rival Scotland losing 2 -1, before putting on a professional and pressurised performance to pip Poland 4 - 3.
The women will now play Spain who finished second in their pool behind favourites Holland while the men will take on Germany.
The last time England's women played Spain was back in June during the KT Cup in Korea. England demolished their opponents in that tournament, beating Spain 3 - 1 along with toppling Australia, Holland, South Africa and drawing with Korea to finish the tournament undefeated.
The men beat Germany 2 - 0 in a one-off test match during their acclimatisation training phase in Barcelona prior to the European Nations Cup so the team know they can win if they set their minds to it.
On another note, three of England's women team set new cap records during their final pool match. Jennie Bimson reached 100 caps for England, Kate Walsh reached 100 caps for England and Great Britain combined, and Mel Clewlow reached 150 caps for England and Great Britain combined.
Semi-finals and Finals schedule: (all times BST)
Thursday 11th September:
Women: England v Spain 1pm, Holland v Germany 10.30am. Men: England v Germany 3.30pm, Holland v Spain 6pm.
Saturday 13th September:
Women: play-off for third and fourth - 9.30am. Final - 12noon. Men: play off for third and fourth - 3.30pm. Final - 6pm.
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