International Hockey

FIH World LeagueThe Hockey World League Round 2, superbly organized by the French Federation and the local club in Saint-Germain, concluded with the undisputed victory of Belgium, unbeaten in 5 matches. The local crowd was treated to a superb fight for 2nd position between France and Canada, ending in the narrow win for the host (3-2). Scotland finished fourth, followed by Poland and Portugal.

Final Standings:
1) Belgium
2) France
3) Canada
4) Scotland
5) Poland
6) Portugal

FIH World LeagueWith their decisive win over Canada (5-2), Belgium have a clear lead at the top of the standings and, pending an improbable miracle, are qualified for the next round of the Hockey World League. France struggled to take the better of Scotland, but their narrow win (2-1) is enough to set-up a torrid last match against Canada, with the winner grabbing 2nd position in the competition and a possible qualification for the next round.

Poland earned their first win of the week against Portugal (9-1) but still need to face Belgium on Sunday and could very well finish behind lower ranked Scotland in the standings.

FIH World LeagueCanada struggled to beat Portugal (1-4) but maintained their unblemished record of 3 wins ahead of their decisive encounters against Belgium and Canada. Scotland won a dramatic shoot-out against Poland, after the two teams ended regulation time tied 3-3. Belgium narrowly got the better over France (2-3) in a hotly contested match, the first direct match between the top contenders for the final qualification.  

Hockey AustraliaAUSTRALIA (MEN) v KOREA SERIES

KOOKABURRAS                4 (0)
Trent Mitton 55 (PC)
Russell Ford 56 (PC)
Kieran Govers 63 (PC)
Rob Hammond 65 (PC)
KOREA                                  1 (0)
Nam Hyun Woo 70 (PC)

A dominant Kookaburras performance was rewarded with four quickfire goals in ten second half minutes as Australia’s men emerged as 4-1 victors over Korea in the fourth and final test in Perth. The result also sealed a series win for the Kookaburras who won twice and drew twice.

Teun de Nooijer - hockeyimages.co.ukAt 14.30 (CET) on Sunday 23^rd June, the men's finals day of the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi Final in Rotterdam, a very special game will take place in honour of one of hockey’s greatest ever talents: Teun de Nooijer.

FIH World LeagueBelgium cruised to a second comfortable victory against Scotland (7-1); Canada came back from a one-goal deficit to win a hard-fought and important encounter against Poland (3-1); France also collected a win, but cannot be happy with the many chances they wasted before beating Portugal (6-0). Teams are now split in a group with 3 wins (Belgium, France and Canada) and another group with 3 losses (Poland, Scotland and Portugal).

FIH World LeagueBelgium showed that there are ready for this competition, relentlessly attacking the Portuguese goal to finish with a comfortable win (19-0). Canada won a tough battle against Scotland, holding on to a two-goal lead (5-3). Host France had an early scare against Poland but finally won another hotly contested match (4-2).

Luciana Aymar

Buenos Aires Province Senator Aníbal Fernández, who was elected as Argentine Hockey Confederation (CAH) president last Saturday, fired women’s national team coach Marcelo Garraffo yesterday and men’s coach Franco Nicola on Thursday citing that he has different plans.

“I couldn’t even explain my project, which makes me feel sad”, said Garraffo to Hockey Mobile website. “It is a pity to cut this project just for political reasons but we have nothing to do but accept the decision.”