England Victorious

Source: englandhockey.co.uk

England are the European Champions after beating Germany by five goals to three at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. Two goals each for Ashley Jackson and Richard Mantell, and one for the ever impressive Barry Middleton sealed a memorable victory in front of a full house at the EuroHockey Nationsons Champs Final. The result gives England their first ever European title.

A minute later though and England had the lead. From a penalty corner, set piece specialist Ashley Jackson flicked the ball low to Weinhold’s right and although the German ‘keeper managed to get a glove on the ball he could only deflect it down and into the goal.

Germany’s response was immediate. Almost from the restart, Jan-Marco Montag charged into the England circle and after a good block by James Fair England conceded a penalty corner as they attempted to clear the danger. From the set piece Christopher Zeller levelled the score, drilling low into the bottom right corner.

No sooner had Germany hauled themselves level than Barry Middleton, a firm favourite with the Dutch fans in the crowd, shocked them again with a goal out of nothing. Going down the inside left channel and away from goal his reverse stick cross to the near post somehow went through three German defenders and the advancing Simon Mantell and over the line to restore England’s lead.

Despite England’s bright start Germany were level again on 25 minutes; a cross from the German right came up dangerously off Richard Mantell’s stick and Zeller clinically placed the resulting penalty croner in the bottom left corner for 2-2.

The equaliser seemed to energise Germany and Mantell was soon forced into a full length dive to cut out a dangerous cross from the right. On the half hour mark James Fair reacted well to block a clever close range flick but he was powerless to stop Jan-Marco Montag’s goal a minute later. Christopher Zeller’s long ball from the left hand side of midfield found its way through the England defence and onto the end of the diving Montag’s stick at the back post where he directed it beyond Fair and into the goal to give Germany a 3-2 lead at half time.

The second half began as the first had ended, with Germany on the attack. Three minutes into the half Christopher Zeller put Moritz Fuerte through on goal and but for the well timed recover tackle from Richard Mantell, James Fair might have had trouble keeping Fuerte out. As it was though, the challenge took the pace off the shot and Fair blocked with his legs.

With Ashley Jackson off the pitch Richard Mantell stepped up and powerfully flicked the ball beyond the right foot of Max Weinhold much to the delight of the travelling English fans and vocal Dutch who had adopted England for the final.

And they were cheering even more loudly two minutes later when the Daly-Mantell combination came good again with Daly winning another corner and Mantell coolly converting in exactly the same place, low to Weinhold’s right and gave England the lead for the first time since the 25th minute.

With eight minutes remaining Barry Middleton’s ball from the right of midfield put Simon Mantell clear through the top of the circle and, just as he looked to set up Tindall free at the back post, he was hauled down by Benjamin Wess giving umpire Tim Pullman no option but to award a penalty stroke. Ashley Jackson was by now back on the pitch and he stepped up to the mark to take the penalty, brilliantly flicking it high into the top right corner to give England a 5-3 lead. His celebratory punching of the air showed the crowd exactly what it meant to the 22 year old.



With the sound system in full flow and to the crowd’s rhythmic clapping captain Barry Middleton was presented with the trophy by Martin Gotheridge, President of the European Hockey Federation.

There was further reason for England to celebrate at the awards ceremony after the final when two of the team’s most impressive players picked up individual awards. James Fair, whose saves against the Netherlands in particular proved critical to England’s success, was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Ashley Jackson picked up the award for Player of the Tournament after his seven goals in five matches helped England to gold.