EuroHockey 2015 Preview: Learn more about Scotland’s Pool B opponents
With Scotland Senior Women set to begin their EuroHockey Nations Championship campaign this weekend, Scottish Hockey gives consideration to the opposition they face in Women’s Pool B; England, Germany and Italy.
England
What are Scotland up against?
Hosts England will be considered by many hockey observers to be among the contenders vying for the EuroHockey Nations Championship title.
A fervent home support may act as a real advantage to Head Coach Danny Kerry’s side and they will be aiming to surpass their silver medal finish in Belgium two years ago to claim a gold medal and a second European title to match their 1991 success.
The real goal threat will come from forward Alex Danson, while the defence will be well marshalled by stalwart and captain Kate Richardson-Walsh.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch continues to collect rave reviews for her performances at international level so expect England to be difficult to score against.
Head to Head
Scotland and England have played out two very close contests in recent tournaments, including a 2-1 loss for the Scots two years ago in Boom (EuroHockey 2013) and the same result at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last summer.
Will it be third time lucky as Scotland look to get off to a great start on Saturday night?
Squad
Giselle Ansley, Georgie Twigg, Hollie Webb (Surbiton), Sophie Bray, Laura Unsworth (East Grinstead), Alex Danson, Susie Gilbert, Helen Richardson-Walsh, Kate Richardson-Walsh (Reading), Sabbie Heesh (Leicester), Joie Leigh (Clifton), Hannah Macleod (St Albans), Shona McCallin (Slough), Lily Owsley (University of Birmingham), Susannah Townsend (Canterbury), Nicola White, Maddie Hinch, Sam Quek (Holcombe).
Pool B Match
Scotland v England, 22 August, 18.15
Germany
What are Scotland up against?
The defending champions.
The 2013 and 2007 winners have recorded top 3 finishes in every EuroHockey Nations Championship bar one, demonstrating an enviable level of consistency in continental competitions.
Currently 5th position in the FIH World Rankings, only the Netherlands are ranked higher among the teams competing in London. Therefore they will be rightly considered one of the favourites to finish in the tournament’s medal positions.
Die Danas coach Jamilon Mulders has prioritised full fitness as a pre-requisite for player selection; therefore captain Julia Muller and Lisa Marie Schutze miss out after recent injuries. Katharina Otte and Selin Oruz also return after missing out on FIH World League Semi-Final selection in June.
Head to Head
A narrow 1-0 defeat for Scotland in the first pool match of the EuroHockey Nations Championship two years ago.
The Scots also lost a three match series 3-0 against the Germans in October last year.
Nevertheless, a 4-3 win over Germany at the recent EuroMasters in Hamburg gives Scotland confidence going into their second pool match on Monday evening.
Squad
Yvonne Frank, Lisa Altenburg, Kristina Hillmann, Eileen Hoffmann, Marie Mävers, Janne Müller-Wieland, Katharina Otte, Charlotte Stapenhorst, Jana Teschke (UHC Hamburg), Kristina Reynolds (Hamburger Polo Club), Lydia Haase, Nike Lorenz (Mannheimer HC) Franzisca Hauke, Lea Stöckel (Rot-Weiss Köln), Hannah Krüger (Münchner SC), Selin Oruz, (Düsseldorfer HC), Anne Schröder (Club an der Alster), Luisa Steindor (Düsseldorfer HC)
Italy
What are Scotland up against?
Italy return to the EuroHockey Nations Championship after being promoted as winners of the Championship II division in 2013.
Ranked 16th in the world, the Italians recently finished last at the FIH World League Semi-Final in Antwerp earlier this summer after losses to both India and Belgium in the cross-over stage, which would suggest a par performance.
With a seventh place finish at the 2007 European Championships their best ever result, Head Coach Fernando Ferrera and his side will see survival in the competition as their priority and will most likely be among the sides competing in the 5th-8th place classification matches.
Head to Head
The Scots last played Italy in a three match series while preparing for the FIH World League 2 in 2013.
Two draws and a win gave the Scots a winning margin in the overall series.
However, the Italians did defeat Scotland during the FIH World League 1 competition in 2012, recording a 2-0 win in Prague.
Expect this to be the key match for Scotland during the pool stage.
Squad
Chiara Tiddi, Aldana Lovagnini, Giuliana Ruggieri, Elisabetta Pacella. (Libertas San Saba) Martina Lecchini, Marcela Casale, Martina Chirico (Cus Pisa) Florencia Nogueir (Hockey Cernusco) Dalila Mirabella, Mercedes Socino, Eleonora Di Mauro (HCU Catania) Celina Traverso, Macarena Ronsisvalli (Sg Amsicora) Valentina Braconi, Natalia Leonor Schinoni (Pol. Ferrini) Eugenia Garraffo (H.F. Lorenzoni) Constanza Aguirre (Hockey Femminile Roma) Maria Galli (KHC Dragons)
European Championship History
7th – 1 (2007)
8th – 1 (2011)
9th – 1 (1995)
11th – 3 (1987, 1991, 2003)
Did not compete – 2 (1999, 2005)
Pool B Match
Scotland v Italy, Wednesday 26 August, 17.15
For more information about the EuroHockey Nations Championship, please visit the EuroHockey 2015 website.
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