Field Hockey News: Euro Championship Results Day 2

Germany 4 v 4 England HT 1-1 | 2009-08-24 17:30
No Venue | Euro Nations Championship (Men) POOL A (National Mens) | Match Report(s)

England's Rob Moore might have thought he'd scored the winning goal on his 100th England appearance against the World's number one side today but Germany responded to secure a 4-4 draw in what was a thrilling hockey spectacle at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. Despite letting slip a two goal lead in the dying moments of the game the draw keeps England top of the Pool A table going into their final pool match against Belgium on Wednesday.

Ashley Jackson gave England the perfect start against the reigning World and Olympic Champions when he smashed an effort low to the German goalkeeper's right hand side just four minutes in although England would lose him to injury later in the half.

Throughout the half both teams played exciting, fast paced hockey and it was Germany who scored next through the clinical Christopher Zeller three minutes before half time.

If that setback was disappointing to England what happened one minute into the second half was twice as disappointing when they went behind to a Mortiz Fuerste penalty stroke. A move into the England circle had found a German player in front of goal but as he made a challenge Beeston defender Ali Wilson was adjudged to have fouled his opponent and Fuerste stepped up to fire home the resultant penalty.

Captain Barry Middleton, who scored twice against Austria on Sunday, netted another brace against Germany in some style, scoring twice in two minutes to turn the game again. After scoring from open play in the 40th minute, he was then quickest to react to the rebounding ball at a 42 minute penalty corner, knocking home to make it 3-2 to England.

The game was still being played at an exhilarating pace and Rob Moore (pictured right), playing in his 100th international match for England, got his fairytale moment as he scored to put England 4-2 up.

After going off injured in the first half Ashley Jackson returned in the second period but he could do nothing about Zeller's goal with 12 minutes remaining, which put Germany right back in contention.

Into the final ten minutes and England were desperate to hold on for the victory. They were dealt a blow with just three minutes remaining when Moore was shown a yellow card, forcing him to watch what remained of the match from the sidelines and a minute later Christopher Wesley equalised for Germany; 4-4 the final score after a breath-taking game.

After the match, Manager Peter Nicholson was philosophical about the result, despite losing the two goals late on. "It was a great match - a superb advert for hockey. We're obviously a bit disappointed not to see the game out but it was actually still a good result for us, especially with Belgium only scoring three against Austria earlier."

The point won keeps England top of Pool A, ahead of Germany on goal difference and a point ahead of their opponents on Wednesday Belgium. For their part, Austria remain at the foot of the group after their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Belgium. England play Belgium at 13:30 local time (12:30BST) on Wednesday.

Report courtesy of England Hockey

Belgium 3 v 0 Austria HT 1-0 | 2009-08-24 15:30
No Venue | Euro Nations Championship (Men) POOL A (National Mens) | Match Report(s)