Hannah Martin has called on England to find consistency as they travel to Germany to compete in the EuroHockey Championships.
The bulk of the squad who will represent England at the tournament played some role in Great Britain’s recent Pro League campaign – which ended with a 6th place finish – out of nine teams for David Ralph’s side.
“We had real glimpses of where we want to be as a team, how we want to be playing, but also we weren’t able to keep that up consistently throughout the Pro League.” Martin tells BBC Sport’s Jo Currie.
“We had a really good trip to New Zealand, got three wins and had a few wins against China and America. But you know, we just struggled to beat the teams in the top six.”
“We lost to Belgium, Germany twice. So I think we really want to start rectifying that and making sure that we can we can go out and show we’re capable of beating these teams”.
Despite the search for consistency, Martin has no doubt about the quality within the England ranks as well as the fighting spirit that they can call upon in such a competitive tournament.
“I’m incredibly excited. We’ve got such a talented team through every single line. I think it’s a huge opportunity for us in the summer.”
“It’s the English bulldog mentality. I think we need to kind of get back to that and really fight for absolutely everything and make sure that we never give up come the Europeans, because it’s got a lot riding on it.”
As well as the chance to become European champions there is also the opportunity for the winners of the tournament to book their place at the Paris Olympics.
If they are to win the EuroHockey Championships, a feat England accomplished back in 2015, they will indeed need to defeat some of the world’s best teams en route to that title.
The tournament will consist of such teams as the Netherlands, the world number one side and winners of the Pro League, Belgium and Germany – who both finished above Great Britain in the Pro League, plus Spain, ranked 7 in the world.
“Europe at the moment is just flying. Every team is getting better and better.” Martin says.
“We’ve got to keep going up to the next level alongside those teams. So the competition will be really high but I’m really, really confident that we can go in there and give our all and hopefully do the best we can.”
Martin highlights the quality of all the opponents England will face but there is also the added factor of a group stage match with Scotland. As the squad competed as Great Britain during the Pro League, a number of Scotland’s best have been training on a daily basis with the English players.
“I would say it’s quite a heated rivalry. It’s just one of those things, you always want to beat any opposition, but I think when you play and train together day in, day out it adds a little bit of spice. I think they’re a really, really strong team.”
It’s fair to say the 28-year-old attacker recognises that none of England’s matches at this tournament will be easy, however she’s pretty clear on that being the reason she plays at this level in the first place:
“Obviously it’s tough but you know, you love these kinds of tournaments. You want to get in amongst it and they’re always a real fight, a real scrap. Hopefully we can put performances out that we’re proud of and see where that leave us.”
England women’s squad for the EuroHockey Championships:
- Giselle Ansley
- Grace Balsdon
- Fiona Crackles
- Sophie Hamilton
- Tess Howard
- Sabbie Heesh
- Holly Hunt
- Alex Malzer
- Hannah Martin
- Lizzie Neal
- Lily Owsley
- Hollie Pearne-Webb
- Flora Peel
- Izzy Petter
- Ellie Rayer
- Laura Roper
- Amy Tennant
- Lily Walker
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