Great Britain women draw series against Germany

Great Britain women’s hockey team have drawn a two match series against Germany.

Scotland’s Emily Maguire featured in both matches; today’s result was a 2-0 win for Danny Kerry’s side, while the Germans recorded a 3-1 win in the first match yesterday.

Match 1

Germany 3 (2)

Marie Mävers 23 34 (FG FG)

Luisa Steindor 26 (FG)

Great Britain 1 (0)

Sophie Bray 38 (FG)

A double strike from Germany’s Marie Mävers condemned Great Britain to a 3-1 defeat in the first of two tests in Cologne. The 25-year-old struck either side of half time with Luisa Steindor also netting for Jamilon Mulders’ side. Despite Sophie Bray’s second half strike, her tenth for Great Britain, Danny Kerry’s team were unable to salvage the match and went down 1-0 in the two-match series.

The first quarter was typically cagey with both sides seemingly sizing each other up. No goals were scored despite Germany playing for a spell with ten players due to Pia-Sophie Oldhafer’s spell in the sin bin.

Germany struck twice in the second quarter with some clinical forward play. Mävers notched her first from open play in the 23rd minute and then three minutes later Steindor got in on the act to give Danny Kerry’s side a lot to do. A number of chances went begging for the visitors with good spells of possession and some promising openings not taken.

Four minutes after half time it was 3-0 and again it was Mävers cast as tormentor in chief, grabbing her second of the match. On 38 minutes, Great Britain were given a glimmer of hope thanks to a strike from Bray, but despite plenty of endeavour, Great Britain were unable to salvage the result and Mulders’ side ran out 3-1 winners.

Assistant coach Karen Brown said afterwards:

“They were three cheap goals that started from our possession. We tried something new in our team defence to give us some variety and we were a little disjointed as a result. Despite that we had enough possession and chances at the back post to win the game. A lack of execution cost us in the end. We were right to try the things we did and are in a better position moving forward than had we not looked at them.”

Match 2

Germany 0 (0)

Great Britain 2 (0)

Helen Richardson-Walsh 32 (FG)

Sophie Bray 34 (FG)

Goals from Sophie Bray and Helen Richardson-Walsh were enough to give Great Britain a 2-0 win over Germany in the second test match in Cologne. Both goals came in quick succession just after half time ensuring the visitors left Germany with the series tied at one game apiece.

After the disappointment of yesterday’s 3-1 defeat Great Britain came out strongly and created a number of chances in the first period. Germany too had their share of openings but despite concerted efforts from both frontlines, neither Kirsty Mackay nor Yvonne Frank were beaten in the first half.

Right at the start of the second half Danny Kerry’s team caught the hosts cold with two goals in the space of two minutes. Helen Richardson-Walsh broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute from open play and then just two minutes later Sophie Bray, a scorer in yesterday’s match added to her tally with the second. The strike was Bray’s 11th for Great Britain in just 21 appearances, her 25th goal in international hockey overall.

Germany upped their intensity as they searched for a way back into the game late on but the Great Britain defence stood firm, ensuring a clean sheet shared by goalkeepers Mackay and Maddie Hinch, who played half the game each.

A 2-0 win in the final match of the series was a source of great satisfaction for Head Coach Danny Kerry.

He said afterwards: “I thought we were good value for our win today. The team got back to basics. We’ve experimented with some tactics and continue to broaden depth in group. Overall it’s been a good trip.”

Great Britain’s preparations for Rio continue apace and you can see their last stop on the road to Rio right here on home soil. Both men and women will take on the #bestofthebest in the Hockey Champions Trophy. Buy your tickets here.

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