The Hockey World Cups are all done and dusted, the medals handed out and the trophies lifted. Here’s a little look at the women’s tournament overall featuring Argentinian joy, Dutch disappointment, questions for England to answer, plus a few other things.
Dutch Disappointment.
The Netherlands women came into the tournament as red hot favourites to win a fourth World Cup in a row. Reigning World, European, Olympic and Pro League champions the smart money was on them sweeping all before them on home soil and winning the title.
When Yibbi Jansen whipped in a penalty corner to give them the lead I’m sure many people were writing their name on the trophy. Argentina fought their way back into the contest and equalised and then held their nerve in the shootout to upset the odds.
Obviously the result was a surprise but what was perhaps most surprising was the way the Dutch seemed to freeze in the shootout. Players we’re used to seeing execute their skills time and time again with almost robotic precision, found themselves failing to overcome Las Leonas’ goalkeeper Cristina Consentino. A World Cup final at home is a real pressure cooker environment, but having seen the Dutch overcome these challenges in the past, it was a real surprise.
Joy for Las Leonas.
The flip side of the coin is the unbridled joy of the Argentina players and staff as they won the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
If there was anyone who you thought could halt the Orange Machine, it was most likely to be Argentina. They have some wonderfully skilled players, but they aren’t afraid to do the ugly side of the game either. They wouldn’t lie down and grabbed their equaliser through the wonderful María Granatto with just six minutes left on the clock. Then they won the shootout. The contrast between the two teams in the shootout was stark – as I said above, the Dutch seemed to freeze whilst Las Leonas looked accomplished, nerveless, free. The composure shown by Brisa Bruggesser on their second was a joy to watch and Sofia Cairo, who scored the clincher, never looked like missing. Superb.
New Friends?
You will no doubt have seen the controversy surrounding the semi final between Netherlands and Belgium. Safe to say as a result, Belgium are not the biggest fans of the Dutch. Something evidenced by their celebrations with Argentina after the final?
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Or something like that.
Semi Final umpiring.
I’ve mentioned it in passing in the previous entry, so I’d better address it now: The decision to disallow Belgium’s equaliser in the semi-final.
I can see why it was given and I can see the logic behind it, but I don’t agree with it. The occasion and the stakes shouldn’t make a difference, but they do. There’s no getting away from that. In such a big moment, to have what is essentially a subjective decision have such a big impact is unfortunate.
The outcry on social media has been fascinating to read. I wish people were this passionate and vociferous about hockey all the time rather than just because of a decision they don’t agree with.
As I say, I don’t personally agree with the decision, but anyone accusing the umpires of being bought or any other type of corruption should probably reconsider that view. It’s a bit daft, really.
Brilliant Belgian Bronze.
Despite the bitter disappointment of what they perceive to be the injustice of the semi-final, it was great to see Belgium pick themselves up off the floor to go again and collect the women’s bronze medal. They are a really exciting side with a lot to like and a lot of players to admire. Great stuff.
Questions for England to answer.
Ninth place. A first World Cup group stage exit since 2014. England sadly fell short of the standards their fans expect from them and that they expect from themselves. As with the men, all the interviews after their exit were around how disappointed they were with their tournament. Their travails from penalty corners have become a much-discussed topic on social media and are clearly a cause for concern. (Although they did manage to convert three penalty corners in their final match against USA!)
England has a very well funded programme and some talented players, but something is clearly not right at the moment. I think it’s fair to say those at Bisham Abbey at the top of England Hockey have some questions they need to answer in the coming weeks and months.
There you go. A few thoughts on the World Cup, which hopefully gave you a little something to think about!
The Top of the D 