FIH Pro League 2022/23: GB Women lose 1-4 to Germany in penultimate game

Hanna Granitzki (1'), Jette Fleschutz (6'), Viktoria Huse (33') and Pauline Heinz (58') scored a goal each for the visitors. Elena Rayer (23') scored the solitary goal for the home side. 

The visitors started the match strongly, taking the lead in the very first minute. They made a dangerous run down the right wing and Granitzki slotted the ball into the net with ease. Germany then earnt their first penalty corner of the match in the fourth minute but couldn't capitalise on it. The onslaught continued as they doubled the lead through Fleschutz's field goal in the 6th minute. GB made a few circle entries, but Germany were still in the ascendency, having won the midfield battles in the latter stage of the first quarter. 

The hosts started to settle in the second quarter, keeping Germany at bay and making timely attacks inside the visitor's circle. GB went on to pull a goal back through Ellie Rayer, who made an excellent solo run from the halfway line to find the back of the net in the 23rd minute with a fierce reverse stick strike. GB enjoyed possession for the majority of the second quarter and also created more goalscoring opportunities, but couldn't find an opening, to trail 1-2 at half-time.     

Germany started the third quarter with the impetus and earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 33rd minute, the second one being on target. It was Huse who added the third goal to Germany's tally from a penalty corner routine. The visitors put GB on the back foot with constant pressure. They earned their third penalty corner of the match in the 40th minute, but GB's defence made a remarkable save. The GB defensive unit was tested severely in the final minutes of the third quarter but stood tall to deny Germany another goal. 

GB started the last quarter with an attacking intent. They made a flurry of circle entries and were rewarded with back-to-back penalty corners in the 50th minute, but couldn't capitalise on it. They continued with their attack and earned yet another penalty corner in the 52nd minute, but the Germany goalkeeper made the save. During the turnover, Germany had a clear-cut chance to extend the lead, but couldn't take advantage of it. Great Britain made more inroads in attack, but just couldn't find the break inside Germany's circle to pull a goal back. The best opportunity came when Sarah Robertson stopped a struck ball to the left of the post and deflected it goalward only for the German to get a glove on the ball and claw it away.  Germany scored their fourth goal on a quick counter-attack through Heinz's field goal, winning the match 4-1.    

The Netherlands edged past Spain 3-1 in a thrilling shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. The Dutch converted all three of their chances as Captain Thierry Brinkman, Thijs van Dam and Jonas de Geus were on target. Spain could convert only one (Marc Miralles) of their four attempts in the shootout. 

In the match, Spain took the lead through Gerad Clapes (18'), but the Netherlands came back with two goals in the third and fourth quarter through their Captain Brinkman (28', 34'). Miralles (47') scored the equaliser for Spain to level the score 2-2. 

In an even first quarter both teams played with a more cautious approach. They made some circle entries, but couldn't create clear-cut goalscoring chances, with the score at the end of the opening quarter staying 0-0. 

 
It was Spain who really started to up the attack at the start of the second quarter and were successful as Clapes found the back of the net from an open play in the 18th minute. They almost doubled the lead in the 21st minute, but the goal was disallowed on the video referral. The Netherlands now showed some urgency as they put pressure on the Spanish defence with multiple attacks and were successful in equalising through Brinkman's powerful strike inside the circle in the 28th minute, ending the quarter at 1-1.   

The Dutch started the second half brightly as they dictated the proceedings, making attacking forays inside the Spanish half. Leading from the front, Brinkman went on to add a second goal from open play to his tally in the 34th minute. Spain replied with a more sustained period of attack, earning a penalty corner in the 39th minute, but missed out on converting it to still trail 1-2 at the end of the third quarter. 

In the final quarter Spain finally managed to earn their second penalty corner of the match. Miralles converted it with a drag-flick to make it 2-2 in the 40th minute. The Dutch had a chance to restore the lead through a penalty corner but failed to cleanly execute it. The closing stage of the match was played at a breathless pace as both teams pushed for a winner but couldn't find it.  2-2 at full time.

Men's - Tues 20 June 2023 - 12:00 - Great Britain v Germany

Women's - Tues 20 June 2023 - 14:30 - Netherlands v USA

• Under 18s from £8 for TWO games, adults from £18.50   
• Two mini-tournaments at Lee Valley Hockey Tennis Centre in May & June 2023   
• Great Britain playing some of the world's best teams   
• Lots of low price seats still available.   

Make sure you don't miss out and get your tickets here! 

All games will be broadcast live on BT Sport