EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS x WOMEN’S FINAL x VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

The Netherlands have won the European Championships overnight defeating Germany 3-0. It was played in front of a fanatical crowd that was equal parts German and Dutch thanks for the venues close location to the Dutch border.

In what appearead a one sided affair, the Dutch gerneated wave after wave of attack throughout the match. They scored twice in the first half through a very slick corner variation in the 8th minute and again in the 24th thanks to a well taken low backhand shot from the top.

In the 2nd half, the Germans pentrated the circle often and were rewared with several penalty corners. They execution of the set peice has found them wanting as they were without a flicking specialist and lacked imagination on their variations, making it all too easy for the Dutch to either run-down the first shot or block the resulting play. The Dutch however piled on the pressure at the other end, but were also kept at bay in their 2nd half set peices until a dirct flick rebounded to Gryphon gun Lidewij Welten in the 69th minute for the sealer.

Then the heaven’s opened!

Full time, Holland 3 – Germany 0. This title will go into their cabinet along with the 2011 Champions Trophy. It’s been a successful year for the girls in orange and they look like the favourites heading into London.

England triumphed over Spain for 3rd place, 2-1, Belgium defeated Azerbaijan 3-1 for 5th and Ireland took 7th place defeating Italy 4-1.

Highlights below via UKHockeyTV

WOMEN FINAL: NETHERLANDS v GERMANY

 

WOMEN 3RD PLACE: ENGLAND v SPAIN

 

WOMEN 5th PLACE: BELGIUM v AZERBAIJAN

 

WOMEN 7th PLACE: IRELAND v ITALY