England downed by German golden goal

ENGLAND will face Spain for bronze at the EuroHockey Nations Championships after crashing to a golden goal defeat to Germany in their semi final.

Bowdon Hightown forward Jo Ellis had equalised for England on the stroke of half-time, eight minutes after Natascha Keller had given Germany the lead.

And with the scores locked at 1-1 throughout the second half, the match went to extra time, only for Maike Stockel to hit the winner on 76 minutes.

"We're obviously a bit down," said England head coach Danny Kerry. 

"I think we let ourselves down with poor basic skills, which can be worked on, and when we do we will be beating teams like Germany.

"We were the second best team out there tonight and we've come out of a great game as losers. 

"But we know what we need to do to improve and we will be doing that.  The girls will pick themselves up for Saturday's game against Spain though; after all, there's a bronze medal at stake."

Germany were the first to have a clear sight of goal on 11 minutes, but Helen Richardson comfortably dealt with a low penalty.

And just minutes later, Alex Danson was inches away from connecting with Kate Walsh's corner for England.

But it was Germany who struck first blood when a mistake by Chloe Strong allowed Stockel to burst through on goal and while her effort was saved by Becky Duggan, Keller was on hand to rifle home.

As the half neared a close, England piled on the pressure and the third of three successive set-pieces finally brought its rewards when the diving Ellis converted Chloe Rogers' strike.

England found themselves under pressure early in the second period when Keller won a penalty corner off Reading's Richardson but Duggan blocked well from the shot from the left.

But soon England were forcing Germany into mistakes all across the field and Sally Walton had England's next chance with 58 minutes on the clock. 

Receiving the ball at the top of the circle the Bowdon Hightown player shaped to unleash a fierce shot but a last ditch challenge took the ball high and wide, much to the relief of the German defence.

In the dying minutes Germany piled on the pressure and Duggan was again called into action to save a shot at chest height. 

As the first extra time period began England survived several flash balls across the circle but they weathered the storm until there were just 90 seconds left in the half.

A ball down the right inside channel split the English defence and a diving German forward deflected the ball into the path of Stockel in front of goal. 

With Duggan advancing Stockel did well to chip the ball over her and seal Germany's place in the final.

Earlier in the day, the Netherlands beat Spain 5-1 in the first semi final in Amstelveen to go through to Saturday's final where they will meet Germany.