A meeting between England and Australia always has great significance in a sporting context. The two old foes meet again on 4 December 2017 at the Hockey World League Finals in India, with the game perhaps slightly more significant than many of the other clashes. Why? Because it marks Barry Middleton’s 400th international cap. Continue reading
11 June 2017: Susannah Townsend’s pass finds its way to Alex Danson inside the circle. The England striker slams a shot past Netherlands goalkeeper Josine Koning and the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre erupts. It is Danson’s 100th international goal and it comes, fittingly, in front of a packed house at England’s home of hockey. Continue reading
18 August, 2008: Great Britain are being held, 0-0 by the USA. Their hopes of qualifying for the medal matches at the Olympics in Beijing are hanging by a thread. They need to defeat the Stars and Stripes to have any chance of qualifying ahead of Argentina in the pool.
In the last five minutes, GB throw the kitchen sink at the USA. A shot seems destined for the top corner but from nowhere, Amy Tran-Swensen the US goalkeeper pulls out an incredible save and GB’s hopes are dashed.
The image below of Moritz Fürste in Rio is, in my opinion, one of the most iconic of the tournament. It is a picture of utter despair after Germany’s semi-final defeat to Argentina at the Olympics. It was not meant to end like this. For one of the most recognisable, talented and popular players of modern hockey, the story was meant to have a happy ending. Whilst Fürste and his teammates recovered to capture a bronze medal, this wasn’t the fairy-tale finish many had envisaged.
The Top of the D 