International Hockey

England are emphasisng Olympic preparation with the squad announced for the European indoor hockey championships starting in Leipzig on Friday. Even so, the lineup includes nine of the players that won promotion to the top-level of European hockey two years ago and the additions to the sixth-place World Cup side of 2011 make for a competitive squad for the trip to Germany.

Great Britain women’s hockey squads have been announced for the FIH Champions Trophy in Rosario, Argentina, and a four nations preparation tournament in Cordoba.

Departing for Cordoba on Saturday January 14, Great Britain’s women will take on the hosts Argentina, Commonwealth silver medalists New Zealand and Korea in a four nation tournament from January 18-22.  Following the conclusion of that, the squad will travel to Rosario ahead of the Champions Trophy, which runs from January 28 – February 5.

Owen G Glenn Men’s FIH Champions Trophy
Auckland, New Zealand
Sunday 11 December 2011

GERMANY 1 (1)
Thilo Stralkowski 30 (PC)                      

GREAT BRITAIN 0 (0)

Great Britain’s men finished sixth at the Champions Trophy in Auckland on Sunday after narrowly losing 1-0 to Germany.  Despite being ranked three places lower than their German opponents, who went into the tournament second in the world rankings, Great Britain controlled the game for large periods but Thilo Stralkowski’s penalty corner five minutes before half time proved decisive. 

Owen G Glenn Men’s FIH Champions Trophy
Auckland, New Zealand
Saturday 10 December 2011

GREAT BRITAIN 4 (0)

James Tindall 47,66 (F,F)                      
Ashley Jackson 60 (PC)            
Mark Pearn 68 (F)                                           

KOREA 3 (1)

You Hyo-Sik 31 (F)                   
Seo Jong-Ho 45 (F)                  
Nam Hyun-Woo 67 (PS)            

A strong second half showing saw Great Britain’s men turn around a two goal deficit to beat Korea 4-3 and earn their place in Sunday’s fifth place playoff against Germany at the Champions Trophy in Auckland.

In truth it was a controlled and capable performance from Great Britain, who refused to panic after finding themselves behind against the run of play.  There was another milestone as Great Britain’s Scottish defender Niall Stott, the former Dundee Wanderers and Kelburne player now at East Grinstead, passed 200 appearances for GB and his home nation.

Australian superstar Jamie Dwyer has been honoured by his fellow international hockey players by being named as the men’s FIH Player of the Year for 2011, with compatriot Matthew Swann winning the Young Player award.

The winners of the awards were presented with their prizes at the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy in Auckland by FIH President Leandro Negre, with the ceremony taking place during half time of the match between The Netherlands and Spain.