Danson hat-trick proves pool-topper

ENG v GER 4-1 (2-0)

Alex Danson broke her tournament goal drought with a hat-trick against Germany to propel the host nation into a semi-final encounter with Spain after they emerged as winners of Pool B.

It was the dream start for England when Sophie Bray, playing her 50th game for England, opened the scoring in the second minute. The goal was created by Hannah Macleod, who wriggled the ball intelligently out of trouble in the circle, then slipped it in front of the goal for Bray to knock home.

Bray turned provided just seconds later when she picked up the ball after a stray German clearance and slipped it for Alex Danson (3′) to slam home. Lily Owsley also got in on the act with a blistering run up the pitch, her cross just flying just in front of Danson’s diving reach.

After this initial burst of activity, the game settled into a see-saw battle between the two sides. Germany, spearheaded by the attacking duo of Charlotte Stapenhorst and Kristina Hillmann, caused some unrest in the England defence, but with the confidence borne of experience, Kate Richardson-Walsh marshalled her defence and England weathered the storm.

The second quarter began with Germany winning the first penalty corner of the game. Good work by Marie Mavers forced the error but Luisa Steindor’s shot went wide of Maddie Hinch’s goal.

England started their own attack but Germany were now anticipating the movement of the England forwards and play was intercepted and broken down, Nina Hasselmann and Janne Muller-Wieland particularly strong in defence.

With five minutes left until the end of the half, Bray, Susie Gilbert and Lily Owsley began to really test the German defence. When they were rested, Nicola White and Danson took over, running at the defence and making some beautifully simple but deadly passing moves. The best of these came when Danson found herself in an one-on-one with the keeper, but Yvonne Frank showed why she is the first-choice ‘keeper for the reigning European champions as she just got enough on the ball to prevent a third goal.

The second half again took on a to and fro nature with both sides playing expansive hockey. Germany got a breakthrough when Kristina Hillmann (39′) touched the ball past Hinch after it was played at speed into the circle by Eileen Hoffmann.

The scene was set for a barnstorming final 20 minutes and it did not disappoint. Steindor was sent from the pitch after a tough tackle in the middle of the field, and urged on by the coaching staff, England went in search of the goal that would seal the contest.

It came courtesy of England’s talismanic striker, Alex Danson (44′). Two penalty corners were awarded in quick succession, and England capitalised on the second. The initial shot was saved by Frank but Danson was on hand to lift the ball over Frank, who had not managed to recover from her first save.

And so to the final quarter. This had to be an all-out German effort, and Mavers and Anne Schroder answered the call, weaving their way through the England defence but ultimately unable to break down the last line of defence.

The game was sealed once and for all when Danson got her hat trick – she picked up the ball after Laura Unsworth had run the ball along the back line, before slipping it back to Danson who unerringly lifted it past Frank.

The result means that England will play Spain in the semi-finals, while Germany will take on the Netherlands. Both fixtures promise to be intriguing encounters – Spain are an improving side who England will need to contain, while the other match pits the reigning champions against the world number one team.

“The game was lost in the first seven minutes,” said Steindor. “But now we have an encounter with the best team in the world and we are excited about that. They come here and beat everyone 8-0, 9-0.” Steindor smiled wryly, “We are looking forward to playing them.”

Sophie Bray also spoke after the game. “It was so good to play like that tonight,” she said, “And I am so pleased because I have a whole lot of family here tonight, from a great uncle to grandparents.”