Scotland Women's Euro Hockey Qualifiers Updates

Scotland 4-0 Austria

Scotland women got their EuroHockey Qualifier D campaign off to a great start with a 4-0 win over Austria in Dunkirk. Goals from Amy Costello; Jen Eadie; Fiona Burnet; and Sarah Jamieson gave the Scots a solid victory of day one of the tournament.

It was a great opening to the game for Scotland as they went 1-0 ahead of Austria in the first quarter in Dunkirk. Amy Costello hammered home a low penalty corner from the top of the circle in just the third minute to give the Scots the lead.

The opening quarter soon welcomed a second goal for Scotland, this time Jen Eadie converted a penalty corner routine to make it 2-0.

The Austrians enjoyed a good phase of pressure but as half time approached a fantastic counter attack was finished off by Fiona Burnet to put Scotland 3-0 ahead.

In the final quarter the Tartan Hearts furthered their advantage when they bagged a fourth. A strike by Sarah Jamieson finished off the scoring with a well-taken open play goal and gave Scotland a solid victory.

Heather McEwan had a great chance to add to the tally in the final minutes but her effort sent wide of the target. Regardless, Scotland are top of the table on goal difference with France up next in the race for qualification. 

Scotland 2-0 France

Scotland women made it two wins from two in EuroHockey Qualifier D in Dunkirk with a tremendous 2-0 win over France. Goals from Fiona Burnet and Heather McEwan gave Scotland the victory and keep the Scots top of the table.

It was a very tight opening to the match with both sides battling hard but unable to create any clear cut chances.

Scotland began to ask questions of the hosts in the second quarter, and peppered the French D with passes, but found the defence organised and resolute.

Scotland took the lead early in the second half through a lovely finish by Fiona Burnet. Laura Swanson slipped a neat pass through the defence and Burnet went twisting and turning past the keeper to score. 1-0.

Sarah Jamieson almost doubled Scotland’s lead when she took the ball on a mazy run through the French defence but the final effort was well blocked.

Right before the end of the third quarter a stunning strike by Heather McEwan put Scotland 2-0 ahead. Jen Eadie played the ball to McEwan who fired the ball home on the turn to double Scotland’s lead.

Scotland played the final quarter on the front foot, ending the game strongly, and took the victory with only one game remaining.

Scotland Women’s Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “Of all the games we’ve played this year this one had the most pressure, as the carrot for success is so significant. We want to be back in A Division so these games have always been the biggest target for us, so it’s great to get back-to-back wins.

“The players were really diligent today, and worked hard, with the crowd against us that shows great character. Tournament hockey is all about getting wins so we’ll be out to win our final game and finish the tournament strongly.”

Scotland 4-2 Switzerland

Scotland women won gold in EuroHockey Qualifier D and qualified for Women’s EuroHockey Championship 2023 after securing three wins from three with a 4-2 victory over Switzerland.

Goals from Fiona Burnet; Bronwyn Shields; Heather McEwan and Sarah Jamieson in the second quarter sealed the win, the medal, and qualification for next year’s tournament in Monchengladbach.

Scotland went on the offensive from the outset and Sarah Jamieson signalled their intent when she fired a pass across goal, but it just evaded Sarah Robertson arriving at the far post.

Then Amy Costello burst forward and smashed a shot goal ward but it went wide of the target.

The opening goal came early in the second quarter and it was Fiona Burnet who provided the finish. Jen Eadie zipped the ball across goal and Burnet was at the far post to deflect the ball into the net. 1-0.

The Scots continued to pile on the pressure and some tremendous goalkeeping kept them at bay, until Bronwyn Shields doubled Scotland's lead with a close range finish to make it 2-0.

Then came two quick goals for Scotland right before half time. Heather McEwan scored from close range to make it 3-0 after a great run by Jamieson, then Jamieson herself got on the score sheet with a lovely finish, deflecting the ball through her own legs across the goalkeeper and into the net. 4-0.

Scotland’s relentless pressure continued into the second half and the Swiss defence dug deep to hold out under siege. Then Switzerland pulled one back at the end of the quarter through a close range finish by Sae Fontana.

The Swiss bagged another at the start of the fourth quarter through Raffaela Triebold, but Scotland continued to dominate the ball and see the game out to secure the victory.

Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “I’m absolutely delighted and so proud of all the players and staff for their amazing professionalism and effort through the tournament. Playing a tournament away from home against up-and-coming nations was always going to be tricky, it was three cup finals and we won them all, so its mission accomplished.

“This summer was always about qualifying for the EuroHockey Championships and we’ve achieved that. We have an amazingly exciting team, and the sky is the limit. We want to be a top ten nation, and we have areas to improve on to get there, but we’re on the right path and having a year to prepare for A Division now is really exciting.”