Introducing James Tindall – EC Champion

Hi all, James Tindall here. I thought I’d drop in to shed some light on my recent European Championship’s experience. It was all-time, so please read on…

Preview

The build up to the Euros was a mixed bag for England. We had played the Aussies and found we were still a long way away from the quality and standard we all strived. It was a bit of a wakeup call for me and I imagine the team. But after the tests against the distant rivals we soon started to build up a head of steam by playing the likes of Pakistan, India and France as well as a great confidence boost against the Dutch. The biggest sign that we were slowly getting towards the standard we knew we were capable of was when we beat the Dutch at Bisham Abbey. Suddenly we realised that we were all good enough to potentially do well in the tournament at Wagner Stadium.

Wagner Stadium

My first cap for England was at Wagner Stadium and fond memories will always be there for that reason. However the setup and the whole venue around the stadium were fantastic. The Dutch were never going to organise a tournament without it being a success and they did not disappoint. Everything was taken care of down to the last details. But what made the tournament special were the local volunteers and the Dutch public. Apart from the semi final, they were backing the English and this was a massive surprise and help to the team. Even after we played them they were so generous and kind to us and complimentary about us and our hockey.

Going into the tournament itself we knew that we were striving for the automatic qualification to the World Cup in 2010. We knew this would require us to make the semi finals at least. We started the tournament well with a comfortable victory over the Austrians and this helped to settle our nerves slightly. Our biggest test in the group was against the Olympic Champions and being comfortably in the lead (so the scoreboard showed) we possibly relaxed and suddenly we found that we were drawing 4-4 to them. It must be one of the only times I have come off a pitch annoyed that I had only drawn with the Olympic Champions! Well before the tournament we would have easily taken a point from this game and that then led us to the crunch game in the group.

WC Qualification

The Belgium game had been hyped up and thought of by the team so much as we felt we had a point to prove against the Belgians. Going a goal down in the 5th minute was a total shock. This was not how the game was meant to go. Suddenly the English Lion had been woken and then decided to play hockey. Full time of the game and I looked at the scoreboard, had we honestly just gone from one nil down to winning 8-2. Suddenly team mates were congratulating each other; we had done it and progressed to the semi finals.

43 Seconds

With qualification complete, the pressure was off but expectations weren’t met. The realisation of playing Holland in the semi final dawned on us and as a team we realised we had beaten this Dutch team in the last meeting and confidence started to sweep through the group, could we do it again? The Friday arrived and we started well in what was a superb atmosphere (playing the Dutch in Amsterdam is hard to beat, especially in a semi final). We went one nil up, what a goal! (Have to say that as I scored it! ha), then half time. Can we really hold on for another 35 minutes against them? We were getting bombarded by Taeke Taekema but our GK James Fair was on fire and he matched everything they could throw at him. Taeke Taekema then breached Fair’s goal but a conversion rate for the best pc flicker of 1 in 9 or so shows the magnitude of the task Fair had achieved. Next thing I knew it was golden goal extra time. It felt as if we were pressing really hard searching for that elusive goal but when it all seemed like everyone accepted strokes, Ashley Jackson popped up on the far post with a deflection goal, only 43 seconds left until strokes! Celebration as we had won a medal… but which one?

Trust

WOW we were in the final! England were last in the final of the Euro’s in 1987 and they had lost so already we had achieved our best ever finish! The final seems a bit of a blur to be honest but the goals by Ashley Jackson, Barry Middleton and Richard Mantell are all etched in the memory now! We knew that we could score and provided we learnt from our group games we could beat the Olympic Champions. All the English players played hard and knew what was needed and trusted each other that we could win the final. This trust accompanied by some great hockey meant that we had learnt how to keep the lead against them and some heroic defending from Rich Mantell and Richard Smith meant we had to play out the last few minutes with a two goal lead. The clock was ticking so slowly then suddenly the klaxon sounded. Final score 5-3. We had won the Gold. Jubilation was seen from the players, management and the travelling fans as everyone had put in sacrifices for the result.

The after party!
As you can imagine we were all in bed by 9pm as we are professionals. Only joking really! The team decided to occupy the stadium and the surrounding venue and enjoying the celebrations with friends and family. Such a massive effort from all the boys and it was time to let all the emotions out. Again everyone that was still around the ground was so complimentary about us and congratulated us on winning. Drinks were enjoyed at the ground and then there was a party in a marquee for everyone. After this party the team decided to venture into the city itself and this is where the story ends… for now anyway!

- Cheers, Tinds

Euro Champs – The Fallout of…

Just incase you live in Europe and have been under a rock, live a long way away and had little coverage (except for G-Life), or like the Gryphon crew been celebrating life, here’s a quick rundown on what the Euro Champs 2009 in Holland have served up.

The big thing about this tournament is that the top four teams on each men and women qualify for the World Cup in 2010, so will join Australia Men and NZ women.

Men:  Euro Champs ENGLAND over Germany in the final (5-3). The other qualifiers from the eight strong pool are Spain and Holland.

Women: Euro Champs HOLLAND over Germany (3-2). Funny enough the other qualifiers are the same as the men with Spain and England making it a neat loop.

The bottom two teams are dropped out of the World Cup race while the middle 2 have a chance through more games this year. In the Men Belgium and France still are fighting for qualification and in the Women Ireland and Azerbaijan.   Out of the race is Poland and Austria and Poland (men) and Scotland & Russia (Women).

So for 2010 the pools are starting to take shape!  Now, What have we learned form the 2009 EC…

1/ England surprised those not in the know, and pleased those in the know, that they are the real deal in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics in London by demolishing Germany in the Men’s final 5-3. Word is they have record level funding and are putting it to good use with their men’s and women’s programs.

2/ The Netherlands Dames continue their purple patch of form by taking out the Women’s crown beating Germany 3-2. Not a bad effort after claiming the 2008 Gold. Hope the KNHB have installed a large trophy cabinet in their HQ, as these girls are gonna collect a few more trophies in the near future..

3/ The crew at Gryphon HQ are very jealous of staff photog “DC” as he lapped up the European sun while on assignment as we go through one of the wettest winters back in Oz. Please DC, stop talking about your tan!

4/ None compares to the Dutch when it comes to putting on a World level event… Sit up and take notice people… They do it time and time again and it is a simple formula!

5/ The uniforms of the worlds elite are starting to look damn good…or is it just the athletes?

6/ There’s no place like Wagner Stadium at 3:15pm when the men and women of Oranje are playing.

7/ Gryphon hits back in Holland, Kubus Sports are the guys to see and www.gryphonhockey.nl has been launched…

8/ Amsterdam is one hell of a place for an after-party.

9/ Last but not least, no matter how hard you train and how talented you are, we are all one slip away from a fallout. Its how we pick ourselves up and carry on that counts…

Big shout out to all the Gryphon Crew that played their hearts our at the Euros, now for the World Cup!

2009 Euro’s Men’s Bronze Medal Match Highlights

Holland destroy Spain in a one sided affair to round out the EK’s with Bronze.

Euro Champs (EK) – 26th August

Today the men found out who goes to the finals and has instant qualification to the 2010 World Cup.

England dominated a down on form Belgium with 8 goals to 2.  Belgium looked fantastic coming into the EC this year, but today the English squashed that form in spectacular fashion propelling them to them to the top of the pools.  Even Germany’s 3 goals 1 win over Austria wasn’t enough to stop the English juggernaught.   So from this pool the top teams are England and Germany.

In the later games Spain just went through the motions to top their pool by defeating Poland 6 goals to 1.  The Spanish played a younger list in obvious preparation for the finals coming up.

As always, the headliner game features the host (Holland), this time playing France.  The French with a win would have a chance to go to the finals, but it was not to be. TT’s 200th game will stay in his mind when we converted every corner he had and propelled the Dutch to a 6 goals to 0 final score. Holland will sit 2nd in the pool and plays England in the finals. Spain will play Germany in the gold medal rematch from Beijing.

Tomorrow the women start their finals with England playing Germany, and Holland to play Spain.

Gryphon is at Euro Champs

Yep.  Seriously we are here (there).  Right in the thick of Europe’s largest tournament this year, Gryphon has teamed up with Brabo to bring you a product stand.   So while there watching some of the best players in the world battle it out (especially those with a Gryphon stick in their hands), come in and see what the best are using on the international scene. The stand is inside the main food court, well pretty much just as you enter the venue, turn right. Can’t miss us.

So what does this mean?

Just incase you’ve missed it.  Gryphon Hockey is back on the map in Holland proper.  So if you’ve missed us, no longer a need to pine (actually our top sticks are composite these days).  We even have a product website for the .NL people – www.gryphonhockey.nl

Euro Champs (EK) 2009 – 24th August

Today is a Men’s only day. The Women’s side of the Euro Champs had a rest day so all the Men’s teams battled it out.

France notched their first win of the tournament holding onto a thriller against Poland.  Gryphon Striker Jean Jean, from Lyon, was the difference with his goal putting France that crucial one goal ahead and getting the win.

England battled hard against Germany in a game which produced eight goals, with a final score of 4 all. James Tindall was again a standout for the England side as well as Moore.

Belgium went in their encounter with Austria knowing they needed a big win for goal difference.  Their intensity was high from the first whistle and showed a lot of energy producing a mountain of chances.  In the end their goals came towards the latter parts of the game with a 3 to 0 scoreline.

The headliner was the Olympic Silver medalists, Spain, versus the hosts in Holland.  The Dutch were in great form from their 9 goal win and were amped up. Obviously not as amped up as the Spanish who took a very early lead from a PS.   Tempers flared further in the first when an errant foot (yes they can go their own way) hit Take’ on his head which almost ended in an onfield brawl.   In a game that had sun, rain and then a beautiful sunset, the hosts couldn’t get on the board. Spain worked hard and with their third goal coming from an amazing reverse from the edge of the D put themselves at the pointy end of the tables.  Spain 3, Holland 0.

Euro Champs 2009 (EK) – 23rd August

Another full day of action here in Amstelveen, and now all teams have played at least one game.

Highlights include England’s (men) “out of the blocks start” to bang on the drums that they are here for real this year, beating Austria 5 goals to 0. Gryphon Gun up front, James Tindall (Gryphon Tour), was instrumental in the difference between the sides. He setup not only his goals but others to put the game out reach of the Austrians, not only on the scoreboard but mentally and physically.

Another highlight came from England’s Women’s team who faced the red hot Holland. This game may not have had the hype of others but what it lacked it made up with intensity.  One of the hardest fought games I have seen was not made justice of by the 5 to 0 scoreline to Holland.  Both teams took this game by the horns and played a strong and physical game. The toll was felt from players from both sides coming to ground or off the field.  The most intriguing comes from the English GK. She was hit heavily a few plays in a row (making some great saves) but was award a controversial Penalty Stroke against in another incident that left her in serious pain. With no backup goalie she had to face Paumen’s wrath from the spot but was unable to move, just standing in the goals motionless. Paumen barely missed her shoulder with the Stroke further stoking the fire between the teams. Instantly England played a kicking-fullback until a field player could suit up.

The final game of the day saw the improving Belgium play Germany. Last EK Belgium knocked Germany out of 3rd spot making them have to the hard way round to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.  Today was payback as Germany won 3 goals to 2, with almost all goals against the flow of play which heavily leaned towards the Belgium team.

Euro Champs 2009 (EK) – 22nd August

It seems like world level Hockey never stops. Somewhere in the world, someone’s playing top hockey. So where are we now? Sydney and Boston are now in the past for many teams, but for some there is redemption.  For those women’s teams that played in Sydney and are in the Euro Hockey Federation (EHF), they can replay any mis-fortunes and atone.  I’m talking about the HUGE European Championships.  This year they are being held in Amstelveen, Holland.  The place that knows how to do a tournament.

What makes this tournament unique outside of the Olympics and Comm games is that it runs two of the highest level tournaments for men and women at the same time, eight teams in each.

Men: Holland, Germany, England, Spain, Poland, France, Belgium, Austria

Women: Holland, Germany, England, Spain, Russia, Azerbiajain, Scotland, Ireland

Day one has already been showcasing six games.

Scotland 1 – Spain 3 (w) | Germany 7 – Ireland 0 (w) | Holland 10 – Azerbiajan 0 (w) | Holland 9 – Poland 0 (m) | England 4 – Russia 0 (w) | Spain 3 – France 0 (m)

The hosts Holland played both Mens and Womens today. One thing that stands out above anything else is the crowd and venue. For the Dutch games today (day one) the venue was a sellout. Nine thousand people packed into the stadium, pretty much all wearing Orange, all focussed on the pitch. (I will add some crowd photos to the gallery).  To stand on that pitch is an awesome intensity which only the Dutch can fully appreciate in their home crowd.  This is intense.  This is entertainment. This is Hockey!