WWC10 x DAY6 x AUS v HOL

As the day of 6 games continues we still wait for the snow to fall. It hasn’t.  It feels like it should, and really a round of applause should be had for the players out there.

Netherlands look the form team and Australia are on a roll. A draw here would make the pool exceptionally interesting considering Germany beat India 4 goals to 1 earlier.  The fight is on between these three teams.

It didn’t take long for the Dutch power play of shot corner specialties to come into play and open the scoring. Not really in the run of play either. The Australians were the ones pushing hard and keeping the ball deep in their attack. They were playing an strong and physical game and it took the team from the Netherlands some time to adjust, and were lucky not to concede an early goal to the Aussies.

But once the Dutch had the game worked out and were pushing back they were able to get their structure back into oder. Australia tried to use the wide areas again a to create space and were able to, and once again Kate Jenner was used to effect with her big hitting penetrating the Dutch lines.  The Aussies themselves leveled with a short corner but only to be nullified in the last minute of the half by Holland doing the same again.

The second half saw Australia loose their structure a little and started to try and push the ball deep into their attack. They were successful in keeping it there and the pressure on the Dutch to keep it out.

On the other hand the Dutch kept to their game plan of keeping the ball on the stick and using shorter passes and strong lines and added two more goals to close out the game winning 4 goals to 1.

It was probably the best contested hockey we have seen here so far. Especially in these conditions, it was a pleasure to witness.

Unfortunately, Teneal Attard was injured early in the game with what looked like a possible leg injury and she did not come back on.

WWC10 x DAY4 x NZ v HOL

Luckily the weather for the New Zealand v Holland game got better. Marginally.

It’s still a penguin’s paradise out here.  Maybe it was better suited to the girls in Black as New Zealand opened the game with a incredibly quick goal that left everyone reeling but hope that this event is wide open. New Zealand looks very very impressive against Germany and carried it here early.

Early it was. That was about the only time New Zealand saw their attacking half for the first half of the game but were incredibly impressive in holding the potent Dutch side who broke through for a couple of  goals in the half as well keeping the upper hand.

The rain kept dropping, as the temperature. And with that the Dutch Orange machine went to work. And work they did. A spell that saw three goals in three minutes from the Dutch play took the game away into their control. Even a rugby style hip and shoulder charge by Katie Glynn couldn’t slow down the girls in Orange.

Control was what it was all about. Holland kept the ball. Kept possession. Kept control. Kept scoring. Before you could blink this outfit piled on seven goals and look like the incredible team that many are expecting to see here.

New Zealand star Krystal Forgesson was a focal point up front and never stopped her work and when the chips were down and most would give up she stepped it up and netted two late goals for her black fitted team.

The final scored was Holland 7 and New Zealand 3. The Dutch look the form team at the moment even out-classing the host nation Argentina in all aspects of the game.

In the late game, Japan came out blazing and took and early lead in the match against Germany. It was up to the Germans to come from behind and that they did. Eventual winners 2 goals to 1, but Japan are showing that they are not to be taken lightly at all.

CT10 x FINALS x HOL v GER

Warm weather has left us. Now we have grey skies and an Australian winter here. Perfect conditions for two western European sides to battle for the bronze medal here at the Champions Trophy. They played yesterday and the Dutch exposed the Germans but only managed a one to nil win.

Today it was a chance for the home side to counter and stamp their world number two ranking on Holland.

Reversed.

Holland came out like the world number two and germany looked like they were struggling. Matter of a few short minutes and the home crowd was done. The visiting people in orange were dancing and jumping around. Orange was back. Their attacking style was working both with field play and generating short corners. Their backs strong and keeping the Germans at bay.

In short, a whitewash. Holland outplayed Germany in every respect. An amazing turn around for both teams in this short tournament. Germany finishing second at last year’s CT and also at the World Cup this year have finished fourth. Holland take the Bronze.

It was a pleasure to see the Dutch style of play come together and only good things will come from this and their young team.

Holland (bronze) 4, Germany (4th) 1

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY5 x HOL v GER

Round two of the open final and relegation contest is this game. Germany has the the fate in their tent. They cannot go into relegation and the result from England / New Zealand doesn’t hinder the Germans. If they win they go through to play Australia. This also means Holland is in danger of the relegation zone.

A big Holland win due to the result of England’s win over New Zealand puts them still in a mathematical chance of the final if Australia beat Spain.

That equation came into fruition. Holland played their new open style and pushing the ball forward creating field goal and corner chances a plenty. This style is becoming much more attractive as they play it and refreshing contrast their previous styles and that of Germany. The Germans got sucked into the open and running style of game but it was evident that they couldn’t match the skill and speed of Holland.

The Dutch scored the only goal of the game from a PC. It was all we saw go in the net. The Dutch defense consisting of Gryphon’s Wouter Jolie and Sander Baart stood too tall (although these two are not the tallest players on the pitch). It wont be enough to put them in the Final but it means that now these two teams will play once again tomorrow for the bronze medal.

Final: Holland 1 – Germany 0

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY4 x ALL GAMES x MATCH REPLAYS ONLINE x FREE

Day 4 of the CT10 had the World #1 Australia play the World #2 Germany. Last time these two teams meet on this field was the classic match of the WC06 final where Germany came from 1-3 behind to win 4-3 is what has been dubbed as one of the best finals in world hockey…Ever.

Netherlands played England and Spain took on New Zealand…Upsets in the making? This CT10 has so far averaged 7.5 goals per game, so we’d say you better watch on as the goals scoring trend continues!

Watch the full match of your choice on demand for free courtesy of FIH and LOLA1.tv and keep an eye out for the Gryphon crew tearing it up on Day 4 of the incredible CT10. Click on the game of interest below, sit back, relax and enjoy!

GERMANY v AUSTRALIA

NETHERLANDS v ENGLAND

SPAIN v NEW ZEALAND

Cheers, The G-Team

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY4 x ENG v HOL

England are still winless but against Australia showed a lot more fight and look to be getting going. Holland are in the opposite boat and although playing attractive hockey aren’t winning. This game is more for relegation avoidance than the final.

It took no time at all for England to stamp a claim to a win here in Germany, but as with the whole tournament this game was full of goals. Both teams sent their forwards in attack seeing backs Wouter Jolie and Sander Baart up in the attacking zone was common place.

The first half netted five goals and tipped to Holland’s favour. England wasn’t happy with that equation and played harder than we’ve seen so far. James Tindall looked to have hurt his wrist badly in a tough tackle but came back on with some pain showing. As with Holland v Australia, the Dutch couldn’t hold the lead and England came away with the deserved win to lift themselves above Holland and New Zealand in the table, leaving the Dutch down the bottom by themselves.

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY3 x NZ v HOL

Holland were on the other end of an amazing comeback from the Aussies last game but showed their new ethos self coined “no fear” and it looked promising.  New Zealand are winless losing to Germany last game but really played better than the score showed. My expectation is good hockey coming into this match.

It happened. The bottom side so far played to what they have the potential to do and came out running, full of intention. They scored the first two goals, but it was Simon Child once again who sparked it all off. He backed up a great previous match and scored the first here with a brilliant solo drive down the base line paving the way for more.

Against all the pundits New Zealand kept the game under control no matter if the Dutch were running harder or faster, the Black Sticks seemed to have the answers. Even when Holland scored to bring the game into more of a contest it took a minute for New Zealand to score again putting the game out of reach.

Final score NZ 3, Holland 1.

Simon Child once again was instrumental and looks to get better as the tournament moves along.

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY 2 x ALL GAMES x MATCH REPLAYS x VIDEO

Did you miss any of the Day 2 matches of the 2010 Mens Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach? Well the crew @ FIH have a great initiative for the CT10 where you can watch the games at your own leisure for free online.

Watch the full match on demand for free courtesy of FIH and LOLA1.tv and keep an eye out for the Gryphon boys tearing it up. Click on the game of interest below

NEW ZEALAND v GERMANY

NETHERLANDS v AUSTRALIA

SPAIN v ENGLAND

Cheers, The G-Team

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY 1 x ALL GAMES x MATCH REPLAYS x VIDEO

Did you miss any of the Day 1 matches of the 2010 Mens Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach? Well the crew @ FIH have a great initiative for the CT10 where you can watch the games at your own leisure for free online.

Watch the full match on demand for free courtesy of FIH and LOLA1.tv and keep an eye out for the Gryphon boys tearing it up. Click on the game of interest below

GERMANY v ENGLAND

AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND

HOLLAND v SPAIN

Cheers, The G-Team

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

BESTE GRYPHON LEZERS x JOLIE

Beste Gryphon lezers,

Na een mooi seizoen met Bloemendaal, en een paar weken rust, ben ik nu met het Nederlands Team in Duitsland voor de Champions Trophy. We hebben een goede en leerzame voorbereiding gehad. Met Paul van Ass als nieuwe bondscoach zijn we bezig met het ontwikkelen van een andere speelstijl dan we afgelopen jaren met het Nederlands Team hebben gespeeld. Na een aantal oefenwedstrijden begint het steeds beter te lopen en we zijn dan ook klaar voor de Champions Trophy om te laten zien wat we kunnen.
In vergelijking met het WK in India zijn we met 6 nieuwe spelers hier op de Champions Trophy. Een aantal ervaren internationals hebben rust gekregen van de bondscoach wat de gelegenheid geeft aan een hoop andere spelers om zich op dit mooie toernooi te laten zien.
Morgen spelen we de eerste wedstrijd tegen Spanje en zondag tegen titelverdediger Australië. Gelijk een weekend met twee mooie wedstrijden. Ik heb er zin in en heb veel vertrouwen in een mooi resultaat voor Nederland. Ik hou jullie op de hoogte.

Groeten,
Wouter Jolie

Gryphon Dear Readers,

After a nice season with Bloemendaal, and a few weeks rest, I am now in Germany with the Dutch team for the Champions Trophy. We have had a good and educational preparation. With our new coach Paul van Ass, we are developing a different style than we in recent years with the Dutch team have played. After a number of exhibition games starting to run a lot better and we are ready for the Champions Trophy to show what we can.

Compared to the World Cup in India, we are here with six new players on the Champions Trophy. A number of experienced internationals have had some rest. This gives a lot of other players the opportunity to show their skills on this tournament.

Tomorrow we play the first match against Spain and Sunday against defending champions Australia. So we start with two good races. I’m looking forward to it and have great confidence in a good result for the Netherlands. I’ll keep you posted.

Regards,
Wouter Jolie

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