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It's GB v Germany again!
World Hockey League; Valencia
After a shocking World Cup 12 months ago, the ENG/GB women's team have put that nightmare away and are in the semis of this comp on Saturday. Why bother?
Well, the winners of the GER/GBR semi automatically qualify for the Olympics, there's no guarantee that the losers will.
GER squoze past Spain on penalty one-on-ones, they were 2-down in the shoot-out and still went on to win.
But whisper this - GBR are favourites. But - GER are getting stronger in the competition. On Saturday it's on live on www.starsports.com - no need to have a Sky sub.
Which is a good compromise for those who wouldn't pay to watch hockey (and certainly not pay Sky) but the sponsors can get their message across.
The European Champs will show home countries live on the BBC next August, BTW.
C'mon GB!!!
After a shocking World Cup 12 months ago, the ENG/GB women's team have put that nightmare away and are in the semis of this comp on Saturday. Why bother?
Well, the winners of the GER/GBR semi automatically qualify for the Olympics, there's no guarantee that the losers will.
GER squoze past Spain on penalty one-on-ones, they were 2-down in the shoot-out and still went on to win.
But whisper this - GBR are favourites. But - GER are getting stronger in the competition. On Saturday it's on live on www.starsports.com - no need to have a Sky sub.
Which is a good compromise for those who wouldn't pay to watch hockey (and certainly not pay Sky) but the sponsors can get their message across.
The European Champs will show home countries live on the BBC next August, BTW.
C'mon GB!!!
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Comments
And we got a lucky break too in the last 15 seconds > should have been a short against the GB keeper but the umps were too busy looking at the collision. We got lucky!
But you're right about the timings - how a minute can last half-an-hour I've no idea, but thankfully it does and prolongs the agony!
GB should have won that easily, had far more clear cut chances and 1 on 1's than GER, needs sorting out that, coaches.
I know I'm a hockey fan, but the game is a lot faster than football and there are things possibly that football could use. One is rolling subs - why stop the game (especially when it's tense) just to sub off a player. 6 times, possibly?
Also footy could have a look at the self-pass in certain areas, might stop fouls for the sake of getting 11 behind the ball?
But one huge call could be replacing penalty shoot-outs with those used in both codes of hockey - ie a run at goal from (say) 25 yards.
Finally a shout for Sports personality Of The Year 2016; Lily Owsley.
It came about because India had already pre-qualified for Rio by winning the Asian games, so since they have also made the semi-finals here, the three guaranteed places must be taken by the other three semi-finalists.
http://www.teamgb.com/news/great-britians-male-hockey-team-guaranteed-olympic-spot
Ladies winning bronze of course.
Chances of medals in Rio? Hmm, so many strong teams, a top 5 position would be a great achievement. When one team dips (eg Belgian women) another takes it's place (Korea women) and there simply isn't an easy ride any more.
Saying that, not sure many of the other countries would want to face either GB team.
Neck out, the men could bronze behind NED and AUS, the women will be fourth behind AUZ NED NZ.
Also for the Euros next month, Italy could get a medal behind NED and ENG in the women's, been impressed with their progress.
Yup, good old thrashing that! The World league finals in India later this year will be interesting, but for now that's the Olympics easily qualified for so anything on top will be a bonus. Note Middleton's 150th cap; well done that man.
Can't quite understand why the World League finals and the Champion's Trophy can't be one of the same. me thinks now the Olympics are sorted the "Finals" are rather irrelevant. Mind you, in hockey there's no such thing as a friendly.
Go GB!!