One month to go: Who are the teams to beat?
With one month to go until the opening games of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships it’s time to take a look at the form of the competing teams as they aim to peak at the right time to capture the glittering trophy in London this August. Having already looked at the women’s contenders, it is now the turn of the men.
Reigning champions Germany fired a warning shot to anyone with the idea of taking the trophy from them with some scintillating hockey in the World League Semi Finals. Markus Weise’s side ran riot in the pool stages plundering 21 goals in four games, including a 9-0 hammering of Canada. They saw off Korea and then European rivals the Netherlands in the semi finals before a superb 4-1 win over the hosts, Argentina sealed top spot for the Olympic Champions. Their quality is evident in all areas of the pitch, but particularly eye-catching were the displays of Christopher Ruhr and Florian Fuchs who mustered 11 goals between them including some breathtaking solo efforts. Germany will mean business.
The Netherlands recovered from the disappointment of the defeat to Germany to blitz Canada 6-0 to take third place at the World League in Rosario. Mink Van Der Weerden served a reminder of his prowess from penalty corners by helping himself to five goals whilst Billy Bakker netted four times. The Dutch last won this title in 2007, when it was last held in England. They will be out for a repeat of that this time around.
Belgium, runners up in 2013 will also fancy their chances off the back of a sterling World League tournament in their own back yard. Having survived a scare against France to win their quarter final 5-4 they swept aside India before pushing World No1 Australia to the limit, eventually losing out to a Chris Ciriello strike on the final whistle. With Captain John-John Dohmen named player of the tournament and Florent Van Aubel continuing to find the net with regularity they will be raring to go in an attempt to go one better than last time out.
An all-English Great Britain squad came up short against Australia in their semi-final clash in Antwerp but with Olympic Qualification assured they turned on the style to demolish India in the 3rd/4th place playoff. Undoubtedly they will be buoyed by the home crowd but also the memory of their golden 2009 campaign where they were crowned champions. With six of that winning squad still around the group, including skipper Barry Middleton and talisman Ashley Jackson, Bobby Crutchley’s side will be keen to put on a good show at home to pick up some silverware.
Spain started slowly in Rosario, losing four out of the first five matches before a shootout win over Korea was followed by a superb 3-1 win over New Zealand to snatch fifth place and the possibility of Olympic qualification. Pau Quemada showed his value to the squad, scoring six times, almost half of Spain’s total for the tournament.
Ireland matched Spain’s fifth place finish in the Antwerp World League tournament. The World No14 matched higher ranked sides such as Great Britain and Belgium, losing narrowly to the hosts having removed their goalkeeper in search of a winner. Although they were defeated by Australia they finished strong beating Pakistan and Malaysia to take fifth place. Davey Harte was named goalkeeper of the tournament whilst Alan Sothern and Peter Caruth caught the eye with some splendid goals.
France Captain Tom Genestet expressed his disappointment at his side’s seventh place finish at the World league in Antwerp but France must take their positives from the tournament. After a heavy defeat to Australia they recovered to take a point from Pakistan and a win against Poland before eventually overcoming Pakistan in the 7th-8th play off with goals from Hugo Genestet and Simon Brisac. Survival must surely be the aim for France this August but having run Belgium very close in the quarter finals at the World League, an upset or two might not be beyond them.
Russia did not qualify for the World League Semi Finals but gave some indicitation of their abiltieis in the previous round in March. A strong pool stage took in wins over Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA before they were eventually overcome in the semi finals on shootout by Austria. Canada exacted revenge for their pool stage defeat with a 4-1 win over Russia in the 3rd/4th place match. Igor Siniagin showed his eye for goal with five strikes in the tournament, ensuring he will be a man to keep an eye on this summer.
Will Germany continue their run and retain their title? Can the home crowd get England back to the glories of 2009? Who will be the surprise package and who will collect the medals? Find out this August as world class international hockey returns to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
If you’re an England fan, it’s worth knowing you can guarantee seeing England on the Semi-Finals day – they’ll play in session two, so get your tickets to see them battling to make the Final!
