Chile spice up Hockey World League

Home favourites Ireland and talented South Americans Chile have continued their excellent start to the UDG Healthcare PLC Hockey World League Round 2 event, with both nations making it three wins from three matches to top the pools ahead of the event quarter-finals in Dublin.

 Ireland (FIH World Ranking: 14) sealed top spot in Pool A with a comprehensive win against Turkey (WR: 36), a result which ensured that the Green Army and their hoards of supporters would be able to enjoy the St Patrick’s Day celebrations with the sweet taste of victory in their mouths. It certainly proved to be a special day for Naomi Carroll, who netted four goals in the win with Emma Smyth also making a significant contribution by bagging a hat-trick. Canada (WR: 22) finished second in Pool A thanks to a 3-1 win over third-placed Ukraine (WR: 25), with Hannah Haughn scoring twice for her team.

 Chile (WR: 20) confirmed their status as the winners of Pool B with a superb 6-0 win over Austria (WR: 27). Daniela Carem scored twice with Manuela Urroz, Denise Krimerman, Francisca Pizarro and Sofia Filipek also registering as the South Americans finished four points ahead of second placed Belarus (WR: 18), the top ranked team in the Pool. The Belarusians were given a stern test in their final Pool match, with bottom of the table Lithuania (WR: 34) earning a 3-3 draw against their higher-ranked opponents before Belarus took the bonus point in the shoot-out.

 In the quarter-final phase, the two Pool winners will face the sides that finished bottom of the other Pool, with Pool A winners Ireland going head-to-head with Lithuania while Pool B winners Chile face Turkey. Canada versus Austria and Belarus versus Ukraine completes Thursday line-up. To see all tournament fixtures and results, please click here.

In the women’s Hockey World League, a total of seven qualification places for the HWL Semi-Finals are available from the Round 2 events in Montevideo (URU), New Delhi (IND) and Dublin (IRL).  The reason for seven rather nine qualifiers is because both Spain and Belgium, two nations ranked between 12-19 at the time of seeking entries, are hosting Semi-Final tournaments later this year and have therefore already qualified.

 The top two finishers from Montevideo, New Delhi and Dublin are certain to qualify for the Semi-Finals, being joined by the highest ranked of the third placed finishers from those three events. Italy and Uruguay recently confirmed their places in the Semi-Finals with a top two finish at the event in Montevideo, and were joined in Round 3 by India and Poland, who reached the final of the event in New Delhi.

 Azerbaijan are currently the highest ranked of the third place finishers, although they will need to wait for the completion of the HWL Round 2 event in Dublin before knowing if they have made the cut. To learn more about how the teams progress through the competition in the hope of reaching the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, click here. You can keep track of the tournament in Dublin on the official tournament microsite.

Original Article - Chile spice up Hockey World League

FHG Team up with Jamie Dwyer

We are pleased to announce that we have agreed to work with none other than Jamie Dwyer, the Australian forward has been named the best player in the world no less than 5 times in his career!

 Our latest player model will be an exact likeness of Jamie, and we hope to have the model completed by the middle of May.

 The model will be created by our model partners – Tornado Studios.

Original Article - Welcome Aboard Jamie Dwyer!

Field Hockey EHC 2011 - Netherlands defend their European title!

FINAL of the GANT EHC in Mönchengladbach: Germany – Netherlands 0:3 (0:2)

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)

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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

Field Hockey EHC 2011 - England wins the bronze medal

27th August, GANT EHC in Mönchengladbach, women: England – Spain 2:1 (0:0)

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:

-

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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

Field Hockey EHC 2011 - Belgium stays in Championship

27. August, EHC in Moenchengladbach Azerbaijan - Belgium 1:3 (0:2)

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.)

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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

Field Hockey EHC 2011 - Ireland beats Italy 4:1 and prevents relegation

August 27th, GANT EHC in Moenchengladbach, Italy - Ireland 1:4 (0:3)

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.)

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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

Field Hockey EHC 2011 - Germany new European Champion!

28. August, GANT EHC in Moenchengladbach, Men: Germany – Netherlands 4:2 (2:1)

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.)

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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